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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 3: The Bhūmi-gītā
12.3.1512.3.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.3.16

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Parīkṣitsince 12.3.16inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीराजोवाच

केनोपायेन भगवन् कलेर्दोषान् कलौ जना: ।

विधमिष्यन्त्युपचितांस्तन्मे ब्रूहि यथा मुने ॥ १६ ॥

śrī-rājovāca

kenopāyena bhagavan

kaler doṣān kalau janāḥ

vidhamiṣyanty upacitāṁs

tan me brūhi yathā mune

Translation

King Parīkṣit said: My lord, how can persons living in the Age of Kali rid themselves of the cumulative contamination of this age? O great sage, please explain this to me.

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.

Compassion Seeks Freedom from Kali’s Faults

  1. 1

    King Parīkṣit was a compassionate, saintly ruler. Hearing about the terrible qualities of the Age of Kali, he was concerned for those born in it.

  2. 2

    He asked how people could free themselves from the age’s accumulated contamination.

  3. 3

    His concern led him to seek guidance from the great sage. He wanted a means of relief for others.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus, after hearing of the abominable qualities of the Age of Kali, he naturally inquired as to how those born in this age can free themselves of its inherent contamination.

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 3: The Bhūmi-gītā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Ultimately, the highest goal of life for any living entity is pure devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa, which annihilates all inauspiciousness. In the age of Satya, religion was complete, still possessing its four legs of truth, mercy, austerity and charity.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-rājā uvācaKing Parīkṣit said
  2. kenaby what
  3. upāyenameans
  4. bhagavanmy dear lord
  5. kaleḥof the Age of Kali
  6. doṣānthe faults
  7. kalauliving in Kali-yuga
  8. janāḥpeople
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 12.3

    In this verse: “king”, “ruler”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 12.3

    In this verse: “contamination”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 12.3

    In this verse: “hearing”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can concern for others shape the spiritual questions I ask?

Practice

Write down one sincere question about overcoming a harmful influence in your life.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCompassion Seeks Freedom from Kali’s FaultsThis 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 12.3.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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