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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
12.3.612.3.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.3.7

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 12.3.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

मत्कृते पितृपुत्राणां भ्रातृणां चापि विग्रह: ।

जायते ह्यसतां राज्ये ममताबद्धचेतसाम् ॥ ७ ॥

mat-kṛte pitṛ-putrāṇāṁ

bhrātṝṇāṁ cāpi vigrahaḥ

jāyate hy asatāṁ rājye

mamatā-baddha-cetasām

Translation

“For the sake of conquering me, materialistic persons fight one another. Fathers oppose their sons, and brothers fight one another, because their hearts are bound to possessing political power.

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.

Attachment to Power Divides Families

  1. 1

    Materialistic persons fight one another for the sake of conquering the earth.

  2. 2

    This struggle sets fathers against sons and brothers against one another.

  3. 3

    Their hearts are bound by the desire to possess political power.

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. mat-kṛtefor the sake of me
  2. pitṛ-putrāṇāmbetween fathers and sons
  3. bhrātṝṇāmamong brothers
  4. caand
  5. apialso
  6. vigrahaḥconflict
  7. jāyatearises
  8. hiindeed
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: “materialistic”

  • 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

Is my desire to have control creating conflict with someone close to me?

Practice

In one family interaction today, refrain from insisting on control merely to have your own way.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAttachment to Power Divides FamiliesThis 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 12.3.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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