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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
12.3.3312.3.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.3.34

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

ह्रस्वकाया महाहारा भूर्यपत्या गतह्रिय: ।

शश्वत्कटुकभाषिण्यश्चौर्यमायोरुसाहसा: ॥ ३४ ॥

hrasva-kāyā mahāhārā

bhūry-apatyā gata-hriyaḥ

śaśvat kaṭuka-bhāṣiṇyaś

caurya-māyoru-sāhasāḥ

Translation

Women will become much smaller in size, and they will eat too much, have more children than they can properly take care of, and lose all shyness. They will always speak harshly and will exhibit qualities of thievery, deceit and unrestrained audacity.

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.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Declining Restraint Affects Speech and Care

  1. 1

    The verse predicts that women will become smaller in size while eating excessively.

  2. 2

    It describes having more children than can be properly cared for and losing shyness.

  3. 3

    It also predicts habitual harsh speech, thievery, deceit and unrestrained audacity.

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:

With the coming of each succeeding age, starting with Tretā, these religious qualities each diminish by one quarter. In Kali-yuga the legs of religion retain only one fourth of their power, and even that will be lost with the progress of the age.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. hrasva-kāyāḥhaving dwarfed bodies
  2. mahā-āhārāḥeating too much
  3. bhūri-apatyāḥhaving many children
  4. gata-hriyaḥlosing their shyness
  5. śaśvatconstantly
  6. kaṭukaharshly
  7. bhāṣiṇyaḥspeaking
  8. cauryaexhibiting the tendencies of thievery
  9. māyādeceit
  10. uru-sāhasāḥand great audacity
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 12.3

    In this verse: “children”

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 you be more restrained and truthful in your speech today?

Practice

When tempted to speak harshly today, pause and express yourself gently and truthfully.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDeclining Restraint Affects Speech and CareThis 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 12.3.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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