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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

12.2.38 12.2.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.2.39

Sthāna· The universe in order

Who is speaking and story frame

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

कृतं त्रेता द्वापरं च कलिश्चेति चतुर्युगम् ।

अनेन क्रमयोगेन भुवि प्राणिषु वर्तते ॥ ३९ ॥

kṛtaṁ tretā dvāparaṁ ca

kaliś ceti catur-yugam

anena krama-yogena

bhuvi prāṇiṣu vartate

Translation

The cycle of four ages — Satya, Tretā, Dvāpara and Kali — continues perpetually among living beings on this earth, repeating the same general sequence of events.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

The Four Ages Repeat

1
The four ages are Satya, Tretā, Dvāpara and Kali.
2
They follow this sequence in a cycle that continues perpetually among living beings on earth.
3
Each cycle repeats the same general sequence of events.

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.

kṛtamSatya-yuga
tretāTretā-yuga
dvāparamDvāpara-yuga
caand
kaliḥKali-yuga
caand
itithus
catuḥ-yugamthe cycle of four ages

Key ideas in this verse

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

Sthāna · Planetary systems
How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this recurring cycle broaden my view of the present age?

Practice

Write the four ages in order, then draw a circle connecting Kali back to Satya.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Four Ages RepeatThis 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 12.2.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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