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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
12.3.2612.3.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.3.27

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 12.3.18inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

प्रभवन्ति यदा सत्त्वे मनोबुद्धीन्द्रियाणि च ।

तदा कृतयुगं विद्याज्ज्ञाने तपसि यद् रुचि: ॥ २७ ॥

prabhavanti yadā sattve

mano-buddhīndriyāṇi ca

tadā kṛta-yugaṁ vidyāj

jñāne tapasi yad ruciḥ

Translation

When the mind, intelligence and senses are solidly fixed in the mode of goodness, that time should be understood as Satya-yuga, the age of truth. People then take pleasure in knowledge and austerity.

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.

Goodness Brings Pleasure in Spiritual Knowledge

  1. 1

    Satya-yuga is characterized by the mind, intelligence and senses being firmly situated in goodness.

  2. 2

    In the age of truth, religious duties are duly performed, and people take pleasure in spiritual knowledge and austerity.

  3. 3

    Even in Kali-yuga, people in goodness can enjoy spiritual knowledge and regulated austerity. The purport connects this sublime state with conquering sex desire.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus in the age of truth all religious duties are duly performed, and people take great pleasure in spiritual knowledge and austerity.
  • Even in the Kali-yuga, those who are situated in the mode of goodness take pleasure in the cultivation of spiritual knowledge and the regulated performance of austerity.
  • This sublime state of existence is possible for one who has conquered sex desire.

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. prabhavantithey are predominantly manifest
  2. yadāwhen
  3. sattvein the mode of goodness
  4. manaḥthe mind
  5. buddhiintelligence
  6. indriyāṇisenses
  7. caand
  8. tadāthen
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 12.3

    In this verse: “religious”, “duties”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 12.3

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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

Do you experience spiritual study as a pleasure or mainly as a duty?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today for spiritual study without distractions.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGoodness Brings Pleasure in Spiritual KnowledgeThis 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 12.3.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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