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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 12 · The Age of Deterioration · 13 chapters

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.

Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Canto 12 · Chapter 2: The Symptoms of Kali-yuga

12.2.37 12.2.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.2.38

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 12.2.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ताविहैत्य कलेरन्ते वासुदेवानुशिक्षितौ ।

वर्णाश्रमयुतं धर्मं पूर्ववत् प्रथयिष्यत: ॥ ३८ ॥

tāv ihaitya kaler ante

vāsudevānuśikṣitau

varṇāśrama-yutaṁ dharmaṁ

pūrva-vat prathayiṣyataḥ

Translation

At the end of the Age of Kali, these two kings, having received instruction directly from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva, will return to human society and reestablish the eternal religion of man, characterized by the divisions of varṇa and āśrama, just as it was before.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Patiently Awaiting the Lord’s Service

1
At the end of Kali, the two kings will return to human society after receiving instruction directly from Vāsudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
2
They will reestablish the eternal religion of humanity, characterized by the divisions of varṇa and āśrama, as it was before.
3
They have already descended to earth and are patiently waiting to render their devotional service to Lord Viṣṇu.

Key points from the purport

According to this and the previous verse, the two great kings who will reestablish human culture after the end of Kali-yuga have already descended to the earth, where they are patiently waiting to render their devotional service to Lord Viṣṇu.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Civilizational dread → Dispassion. Social and cosmic impermanence expose the limits of worldly plans.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 12: The deterioration of Kali and universal dissolution. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 2: The Symptoms of Kali-yuga

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In the order of Satya, Tretā, Dvāpara and Kali, the cycle of four ages rotates in the society of living entities in this universe. The chapter ends with a brief description of the future dynasties of the sun and moon coming from Vaivasvata Manu in the next Satya-yuga.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 12.2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

tauthey (Maru and Devāpi)
ihato human society
etyareturning
kaleḥof the Age of Kali
anteat the end
vāsudevaby the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva
anuśikṣitauinstructed
varṇa-āśramathe divine system of occupational and spiritual orders of society

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

Manvantara · The change of Manus
What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10
Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct
Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 12.2
In this verse: “religion”, “varṇa”, “āśrama”
Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership
Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 12.2
In this verse: “kings”
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 12.2
In this verse: “devotional service”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I cultivate patience while remaining ready for devotional service?

Practice

Choose one small act of devotional service today and carry it out patiently, without rushing for results.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPatiently Awaiting the Lord’s ServiceThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

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