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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

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 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
12.2.4312.3.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.2.44

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 12.2.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ये ये भूपतयो राजन् भुञ्जते भुवमोजसा ।

कालेन ते कृता: सर्वे कथामात्रा: कथासु च ॥ ४४ ॥

ye ye bhū-patayo rājan

bhuñjate bhuvam ojasā

kālena te kṛtāḥ sarve

kathā-mātrāḥ kathāsu ca

Translation

My dear King Parīkṣit, all these kings who tried to enjoy the earth by their strength were reduced by the force of time to nothing more than historical accounts.

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.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Mercy Loosens Our Grip on Material Glory

  1. 1

    Kings who tried to enjoy the earth by their strength were reduced by time to mere historical accounts. Their royal positions were ultimately insignificant.

  2. 2

    Parīkṣit Mahārāja was preparing to give up his body and return to Godhead. Śukadeva Gosvāmī mercifully removed any possible attachment to his position as king.

  3. 3

    The spiritual master teaches the surrendered disciple to loosen a strong grip on material illusion and leave the kingdom of māyā behind. Even blunt words can express causeless mercy, preparing the disciple to return to Godhead, Vaikuṇṭha.

Key points from the purport
  • The word rājan, “O King,” is significant in this verse.
  • By the causeless mercy of the spiritual master one is prepared to go back home, back to Godhead.
  • The spiritual master teaches one to relax one’s strong grip on material illusion and leave the kingdom of māyā behind.

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

Further reading

Chapter 2: The Symptoms of Kali-yuga

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

One of these kings is Devāpi, a brother of Mahārāja Śantanu, and the other is Maru, a descendant of Ikṣvāku. They are biding their time incognito in a village named Kalāpa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ye yewhatever
  2. bhū-patayaḥkings
  3. rājanO King Parīkṣit
  4. bhuñjateenjoy
  5. bhuvamthe world
  6. ojasāwith their power
  7. kālenaby the force of time
  8. tethey
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 12.2

    In this verse: “attachment”, “illusion”, “māyā”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 12.2

    In this verse: “king”, “kings”, “kingdom”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 12.2

    In this verse: “mercy”, “mercifully”, “causeless”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What position or recognition am I holding on to as though time could never take it away?

Practice

Today, name one attachment to status or recognition, and reread this verse while reflecting on how its teaching helps you loosen that attachment and turn toward Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMercy Loosens Our Grip on Material GloryThis 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 12.2.44? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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