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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.
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Canto 12 · Chapter 3: The Bhūmi-gītā
12.3.1912.3.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.3.20

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 12.3.18inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

त्रेतायां धर्मपादानां तुर्यांशो हीयते शनै: ।

अधर्मपादैरनृतहिंसासन्तोषविग्रहै: ॥ २० ॥

tretāyāṁ dharma-pādānāṁ

turyāṁśo hīyate śanaiḥ

adharma-pādair anṛta-

hiṁṣāsantoṣa-vigrahaiḥ

Translation

In Tretā-yuga each leg of religion is gradually reduced by one quarter by the influence of the four pillars of irreligion — lying, violence, dissatisfaction and quarrel.

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.

Irreligion Weakens Religion’s Four Supports

  1. 1

    In Tretā-yuga, each leg of religion gradually loses one quarter of its strength.

  2. 2

    Falsity diminishes truth, and violence diminishes mercy.

  3. 3

    Dissatisfaction diminishes austerity, while quarrel diminishes charity and cleanliness.

Key points from the purport
  • By falsity truth is diminished, by violence mercy is diminished, by dissatisfaction austerity is diminished, and by quarrel charity and cleanliness are diminished.

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:

In the age of Satya, religion was complete, still possessing its four legs of truth, mercy, austerity and charity. With the coming of each succeeding age, starting with Tretā, these religious qualities each diminish by one quarter.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tretāyāmin the second age
  2. dharma-pādānāmof the legs of religion
  3. turyaone fourth
  4. aṁśaḥpart
  5. hīyateis lost
  6. śanaiḥgradually
  7. adharma-pādaiḥby the legs of irreligion
  8. anṛtaby falsity
3

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 12.3

    In this verse: “religion”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 12.3

    In this verse: “mercy”

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

Which of these four harmful tendencies most needs my attention?

Practice

Avoid one unnecessary quarrel today by choosing a calm, truthful response.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayIrreligion Weakens Religion’s Four SupportsThis 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 12.3.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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