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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.3.37

Who is speaking and story frame

पितृभ्रातृसुहृज्ज्ञातीन् हित्वा सौरतसौहृदा: ।

ननान्‍द‍ृश्यालसंवादा दीना: स्त्रैणा: कलौ नरा: ॥ ३७ ॥

pitṛ-bhrātṛ-suhṛj-jñātīn

hitvā saurata-sauhṛdāḥ

nanāndṛ-śyāla-saṁvādā

dīnāḥ straiṇāḥ kalau narāḥ

Translation

In Kali-yuga men will be wretched and controlled by women. They will reject their fathers, brothers, other relatives and friends and will instead associate with the sisters and brothers of their wives. Thus their conception of friendship will be based exclusively on sexual ties.

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.

Friendship Must Not Rest on Sexual Ties

  1. 1

    The verse describes men in Kali-yuga becoming wretched and controlled by women.

  2. 2

    They will reject fathers, brothers, other relatives and friends, associating instead with their wives' sisters and brothers.

  3. 3

    Their conception of friendship will be based exclusively on sexual ties. The warning concerns abandoning other relationships for this narrow basis of friendship.

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:

Moreover, after usurping the earth or some part of it — which is actually unconquerable and must in every case be given up — fathers, sons, brothers, friends and relatives quarrel over it. Thus the study of history naturally leads to the conclusion that all worldly achievements are temporary, and this conclusion should give rise to a sense of renunciation.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pitṛtheir fathers
  2. bhrātṛbrothers
  3. suhṛtwell-wishing friends
  4. jñātīnand immediate relatives
  5. hitvāgiving up
  6. sauratabased on sexual relationships
  7. sauhṛdāḥtheir conception of friendship
  8. nanāndṛwith their wives’ sisters
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 12.3

    In this verse: “friends”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “fathers”

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

Am I neglecting family members or friends because my attention rests only on my romantic relationship?

Practice

Send a thoughtful message to a relative or friend you have neglected.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFriendship Must Not Rest on Sexual TiesThis 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 12.3.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.