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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
12.3.39-4012.3.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.3.41

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

कलौ काकिणिकेऽप्यर्थे विगृह्य त्यक्तसौहृदा: ।

त्यक्ष्यन्ति च प्रियान् प्राणान् हनिष्यन्ति स्वकानपि ॥ ४१ ॥

kalau kākiṇike ’py arthe

vigṛhya tyakta-sauhṛdāḥ

tyakṣyanti ca priyān prāṇān

haniṣyanti svakān api

Translation

In Kali-yuga men will develop hatred for each other even over a few coins. Giving up all friendly relations, they will be ready to lose their own lives and kill even their own relatives.

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.

Do Not Trade Friendship for Money

  1. 1

    In Kali-yuga, even a few coins will become a cause of hatred.

  2. 2

    People will give up friendly relations over money. A small material interest will outweigh affection.

  3. 3

    Such hostility will lead people to risk their own lives and even kill their relatives. The verse shows how destructive attachment to money can become.

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:

Atheism, the smallness and inferiority of all things, and devotion to the genitals and belly are very much evident in the Age of Kali. Living entities contaminated by the influence of Kali do not worship the Supreme Lord, Śrī Hari, even though they can be freed from all bondage and easily achieve the supreme destination simply by chanting the glories of His name and taking shelter of Him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kalauin the Age of Kali
  2. kākiṇikeof a small coin
  3. apieven
  4. arthefor the sake
  5. vigṛhyadeveloping enmity
  6. tyaktaabandoning
  7. sauhṛdāḥfriendly relations
  8. tyakṣyantithey will reject
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 12.3

    In this verse: “attachment”, “material”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

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

    In this verse: “friendly”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 12.3

    In this verse: “give up”

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

Have I allowed a small financial disagreement to become more important than a relationship?

Practice

Take one peaceful step toward settling a disagreement about money, without hostile words.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDo Not Trade Friendship for MoneyThis 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 12.3.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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