> > S'rîmad Bhâgavatam - Canto 12
> > Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda
> > (for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)

> > *****

> > Canto 12: "The Age of Deterioration"

> > *****

> > Chapter Two: The Symptoms of Kali-yuga

> > *****

> > TEXT 1

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > tatas' cânu-dinam dharmah

> > satyam s'aucam kshamâ dayâ

> > kâlena balinâ râjan

> > nankshyaty âyur balam smritih

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca-S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; tatah-then; ca-and; anudinam-day after day; dharmah-religion; satyam-truth; s'aucam-cleanliness; kshamâ-tolerance; dayâ-mercy; kâlena-by the force of time; balinâ-strong; râjan-O King Parîkshit; nankshyati-will become ruined; âyuh-duration of life; balam-strength; smritih-memory.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Then, O King, religion, truthfulness, cleanliness, tolerance, mercy, duration of life, physical strength and memory will all diminish day by day because of the powerful influence of the age of Kali.

> > *****

> > TEXT 2

> > vittam eva kalau nènâm

> > janmâcâra-gunodayah

> > dharma-nyâya-vyavasthâyâm

> > kâranam balam eva hi

> > vittam-wealth; eva-alone; kalau-in the age of Kali; nènâm-among men; janma-of good birth; âcâra-good behavior; guna-and good qualities; udayah-the cause of manifestation; dharma-of religious duty; nyâya-and reason; vyavasthâyâm-in the establishment; kâranam-the cause; balam-strength; eva-only; hi-indeed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In Kali-yuga, wealth alone will be considered the sign of a man's good birth, proper behavior and fine qualities. And law and justice will be applied only on the basis of one's power.

> > *****

> > TEXT 3

> > dâmpatye 'bhirucir hetur

> > mâyaiva vyâvahârike

> > strîtve pumstve ca hi ratir

> > vipratve sûtram eva hi

> > dâm-patye-in the relationship of husband and wife; abhirucih-superficial attraction; hetuh-the reason; mâyâ-deceit; eva-indeed; vyâvahârike-in business; strîtve-in being a woman; pumstve-in being a man; ca-and; hi-indeed; ratih-sex; vipratve-in being a brâhmana; sûtram-the sacred thread; eva-only; hi-indeed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Men and women will live together merely because of superficial attraction, and success in business will depend on deceit. Womanliness and manliness will be judged according to one's expertise in sex, and a man will be known as a brâhmana just by his wearing a thread.

> > *****

> > TEXT 4

> > lingam evâs'rama-khyâtâv

> > anyonyâpatti-kâranam

> > avrittyâ nyâya-daurbalyam

> > pânditye câpalam vacah

> > lingam-the external symbol; eva-merely; âs'rama-khyâtau-in knowing a person's spiritual order; anyonya-mutual; âpatti-of exchange; kâranam-the cause; avrittyâ-by lack of livelihood; nyâya-in credibility; daurbalyam-the weakness; pânditye-in scholarship; câpalam-tricky; vacah-words.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A person's spiritual position will be ascertained merely according to external symbols, and on that same basis people will change from one spiritual order to the next. A person's propriety will be seriously questioned if he does not earn a good living. And one who is very clever at juggling words will be considered a learned scholar.

> > *****

> > TEXT 5

> > anâdhyataivâsâdhutve

> > sâdhutve dambha eva tu

> > svîkâra eva codvâhe

> > snânam eva prasâdhanam

> > anâdhyatâ-poverty; eva-simply; asâdhutve-in one's being unholy; sâdhutve-in virtue, or success; dambhah-hypocrisy; eva-alone; tu-and; svî-kârah-verbal acceptance; eva-alone; ca-and; udvâhe-in marriage; snânam-bathing with water; eva-alone; prasâdhanam-cleaning and decorating of the body.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A person will be judged unholy if he does not have money, and hypocrisy will be accepted as virtue. Marriage will be arranged simply by verbal agreement, and a person will think he is fit to appear in public if he has merely taken a bath.

> > *****

> > TEXT 6

> > dûre vâry-ayanam tîrtham

> > lâvanyam kes'a-dhâranam

> > udaram-bharatâ svârthah

> > satyatve dhârshthyam eva hi

> > dâkshyam kuthumba-bharanam

> > yas'o 'rthe dharma-sevanam

> > dûre-situated far away; vâri-of water; ayanam-a reservoir; tîrtham-holy place; lâvanyam-beauty; kes'a-hair; dhâranam-carrying; udaram-bharatâ-filling the belly; sva-arthah-the goal of life; satyatve-in so-called truth; dhârshthyam-audacity; eva-simply; hi-indeed; dâkshyam-expertise; kuthumba-bharanam-maintaining a family; yas'ah-fame; arthe-for the sake of; dharma-sevanam-observance of religious principles.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A sacred place will be taken to consist of no more than a reservoir of water located at a distance, and beauty will be thought to depend on one's hairstyle. Filling the belly will become the goal of life, and one who is audacious will be accepted as truthful. He who can maintain a family will be regarded as an expert man, and the principles of religion will be observed only for the sake of reputation.

> > *****

> > TEXT 7

> > evam prajâbhir dushthâbhir

> > âkîrne kshiti-mandale

> > brahma-vith-kshatra-s'ûdrânâm

> > yo balî bhavitâ nripah

> > evam-in this way; prajâbhih-with populace; dushthâbhih-corrupted; âkîrne-being crowded; kshiti-mandale-the earth globe; brahma-among the brâhmanas; vith-vais'yas; kshatra-kshatriyas; s'ûdrânâm-and s'ûdras; yah-whoever; balî-the strongest; bhavitâ-he will become; nripah-the king.

> > TRANSLATION

> > As the earth thus becomes crowded with a corrupt population, whoever among any of the social classes shows himself to be the strongest will gain political power.

> > *****

> > TEXT 8

> > prajâ hi lubdhai râjanyair

> > nirghrinair dasyu-dharmabhih

> > âcchinna-dâra-dravinâ

> > yâsyanti giri-kânanam

> > prajâh-the citizens; hi-indeed; lubdhaih-avaricious; râjanyaih-by the royal order; nirghrinaih-merciless; dasyu-of ordinary thieves; dharmabhih-acting according to the nature; âcchinna-taken away; dâra-their wives; dravinâh-and property; yâsyanti-they will go; giri-to the mountains; kânanam-and forests.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Losing their wives and properties to such avaricious and merciless rulers, who will behave no better than ordinary thieves, the citizens will flee to the mountains and forests.

> > *****

> > TEXT 9

> > s'âka-mûlâmisha-kshaudra-

> > phala-pushpâshthi-bhojanâh

> > anâvrishthyâ vinankshyanti

> > durbhiksha-kara-pîditâh

> > s'âka-leaves; mûla-roots; âmisha-meat; kshaudra-wild honey; phala-fruits; pushpa-flowers; ashthi-and seeds; bhojanâh-eating; anâvrishthyâ-because of drought; vinankshyanti-they will become ruined; durbhiksha-by famine; kara-and taxation; pîditâh-tormented.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Harassed by famine and excessive taxes, people will resort to eating leaves, roots, flesh, wild honey, fruits, flowers and seeds. Struck by drought, they will become completely ruined.

> > *****

> > TEXT 10

> > s'îta-vâtâtapa-prâvrid-

> > himair anyonyatah prajâh

> > kshut-tridbhyâm vyâdhibhis' caiva

> > santapsyante ca cintayâ

> > s'îta-by cold; vâta-wind; âtapa-the heat of the sun; prâvrit-torrential rain; himaih-and snow; anyonyatah-by quarrel; prajâh-the citizens; kshut-by hunger; tridbhyâm-and thirst; vyâdhibhih-by diseases; ca-also; eva-indeed; santapsyante-they will suffer great distress; ca-and; cintayâ-by anxiety.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The citizens will suffer greatly from cold, wind, heat, rain and snow. They will be further tormented by quarrels, hunger, thirst, disease and severe anxiety.

> > *****

> > TEXT 11

> > trims'ad vims'ati varshâni

> > paramâyuh kalau nrinâm

> > trims'at-thirty; vims'ati-plus twenty; varshâni-years; parama-âyuh-the maximum duration of life; kalau-in Kali-yuga; nrinâm-of men.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The maximum duration of life for human beings in Kali-yuga will become fifty years.

> > *****

> > 12-16

> > kshîyamâneshu deheshu

> > dehinâm kali-doshatah

> > varnâs'ramavatâm dharme

> > nashthe veda-pathe nrinâm

> > pâshanda-pracure dharme

> > dasyu-prâyeshu râjasu

> > cauryânrita-vrithâ-himsâ-

> > nânâ-vrittishu vai nrishu

> > s'ûdra-prâyeshu varneshu

> > cchâga-prâyâsu dhenushu

> > griha-prâyeshv âs'rameshu

> > yauna-prâyeshu bandhushu

> > anu-prâyâsv oshadhîshu

> > s'amî-prâyeshu sthâsnushu

> > vidyut-prâyeshu megheshu

> > s'ûnya-prâyeshu sadmasu

> > ittham kalau gata-prâye

> > janeshu khara-dharmishu

> > dharma-trânâya sattvena

> > bhagavân avatarishyati

> > kshîyamâneshu-having become smaller; deheshu-the bodies; dehinâm-of all living entities; kali-doshatah-by the contamination of the age of Kali; varna-âs'rama-vatâm-of the members of varnâs'rama society; dharme-when their religious principles; nashthe-have been destroyed; veda-pathe-the path of the Vedas; nrinâm-for all men;

> > pâshanda-pracure-mostly atheism; dharme-religion; dasyu-prâyeshu-mostly thieves; râjasu-the kings; caurya-banditry; anrita-lying; vrithâ-himsâ-useless slaughter; nânâ-various; vrittishu-their occupations; vai-indeed; nrishu-when men;

> > s'ûdra-prâyeshu-mostly low-class s'ûdras; varneshu-the so-called social orders; châga-prâyâsu-no better than goats; dhenushu-the cows; griha-prâyeshu-just like materialistic homes; âs'rameshu-the spiritual hermitages; yauna-prâyeshu-extending no further than marriage; bandhushu-family ties;

> > anu-prâyâsu-mostly very small; oshadhîshu-plants and herbs; s'amî-prâyeshu-just like s'amî trees; sthâsnushu-all the trees; vidyut-prâyeshu-always manifesting lightning; megheshu-the clouds; s'ûnya-prâyeshu-devoid of religious life; sadmasu-the homes;

> > ittham-thus; kalau-when the age of Kali; gata-prâye-is almost finished; janeshu-the people; khara-dharmishu-when they have assumed the characteristics of asses; dharma-trânâya-for the deliverance of religion; sattvena-in the pure mode of goodness; bhagavân-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; avatarishyati-will descend.

> > TRANSLATION

> > By the time the age of Kali ends, the bodies of all creatures will be greatly reduced in size, and the religious principles of followers of varnâs'rama will be ruined. The path of the Vedas will be completely forgotten in human society, and so-called religion will be mostly atheistic. The kings will mostly be thieves, the occupations of men will be stealing, lying and needless violence, and all the social classes will be reduced to the lowest level of s'ûdras. Cows will be like goats, spiritual hermitages will be no different from mundane houses, and family ties will extend no further than the immediate bonds of marriage. Most plants and herbs will be tiny, and all trees will appear like dwarf s'amî trees. Clouds will be full of lightning, homes will be devoid of piety, and all human beings will have become like asses. At that time, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear on the earth. Acting with the power of pure spiritual goodness, He will rescue eternal religion.

> > *****

> > TEXT 17

> > carâcara-guror vishnor

> > îs'varasyâkhilâtmanah

> > dharma-trânâya sâdhûnâm

> > janma karmâpanuttaye

> > cara-acara-of all moving and nonmoving living beings; guroh-of the spiritual master; vishnoh-the Supreme Lord, Vishnu; îs'varasya-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; akhila-of all; âtmanah-of the Supreme Soul; dharma-trânâya-for the protection of religion; sâdhûnâm-of saintly men; janma-the birth; karma-of their fruitive activities; apanuttaye-for the cessation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Vishnu-the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the spiritual master of all moving and nonmoving living beings, and the Supreme Soul of all-takes birth to protect the principles of religion and to relieve His saintly devotees from the reactions of material work.

> > *****

> > TEXT 18

> > s'ambhala-grâma-mukhyasya

> > brâhmanasya mahâtmanah

> > bhavane vishnuyas'asah

> > kalkih prâdurbhavishyati

> > s'ambhala-grâma-in the village S'ambhala; mukhyasya-of the chief citizen; brâhmanasya-of the brâhmana; mahâ-âtmanah-the great soul; bhavane-in the home; vishnuyas'asah-of Vishnuyas'â; kalkih-Lord Kalki; prâdurbhavishyati-will appear.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Kalki will appear in the home of the most eminent brâhmana of S'ambhala village, the great soul Vishnuyas'â.

> > *****

> > 19-20

> > as'vam âs'u-gam âruhya

> > devadattam jagat-patih

> > asinâsâdhu-damanam

> > ashthais'varya-gunânvitah

> > vicarann âs'unâ kshaunyâm

> > hayenâpratima-dyutih

> > nripa-linga-cchado dasyûn

> > kothis'o nihanishyati

> > as'vam-His horse; âs'u-gam-swift-traveling; âruhya-mounting; devadattam-named Devadatta; jagat-patih-the Lord of the universe; asinâ-with His sword; asâdhu-damanam-(the horse who) subdues the unholy; ashtha-with eight; ais'varya-mystic opulences; guna-and transcendental qualities of the Personality of Godhead; anvitah-endowed;

> > vicaran-traveling about; âs'unâ-swift; kshaunyâm-upon the earth; hayena-by His horse; apratima-unrivaled; dyutih-whose effulgence; nripa-linga-with the dress of kings; chadah-disguising themselves; dasyûn-thieves; kothis'ah-by the millions; nihanishyati-He will slaughter.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Kalki, the Lord of the universe, will mount His swift horse Devadatta and, sword in hand, travel over the earth exhibiting His eight mystic opulences and eight special qualities of Godhead. Displaying His unequaled effulgence and riding with great speed, He will kill by the millions those thieves who have dared dress as kings.

> > *****

> > TEXT 21

> > atha teshâm bhavishyanti

> > manâmsi vis'adâni vai

> > vâsudevânga-râgâti-

> > punya-gandhânila-spris'âm

> > paura-jânapadânâm vai

> > hateshv akhila-dasyushu

> > atha-then; teshâm-of them; bhavishyanti-will become; manâmsi-the minds; vis'adâni-clear; vai-indeed; vâsudeva-of Lord Vâsudeva; anga-of the body; râga-from the cosmetic decorations; ati-punya-most sacred; gandha-having the fragrance; anila-by the wind; spris'âm-of those who have been touched; paura-of the city-dwellers; jana-padânâm-and the residents of the smaller towns and villages; vai-indeed; hateshu-when they have been killed; akhila-all; dasyushu-the rascal kings.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After all the impostor kings have been killed, the residents of the cities and towns will feel the breezes carrying the most sacred fragrance of the sandalwood paste and other decorations of Lord Vâsudeva, and their minds will thereby become transcendentally pure.

> > *****

> > TEXT 22

> > teshâm prajâ-visargas' ca

> > sthavishthhah sambhavishyati

> > vâsudeve bhagavati

> > sattva-mûrtau hridi sthite

> > teshâm-of them; prajâ-of progeny; visargah-the creation; ca-and; sthavishthhah-abundant; sambhavishyati-will be; vâsudeve-Lord Vâsudeva; bhagavati-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sattva-mûrtau-in His transcendental form of pure goodness; hridi-in their hearts; sthite-when He is situated.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When Lord Vâsudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appears in their hearts in His transcendental form of goodness, the remaining citizens will abundantly repopulate the earth.

> > *****

> > SB 12.2.23

> > TEXT 23

> > yadâvatîrno bhagavân

> > kalkir dharma-patir harih

> > kritam bhavishyati tadâ

> > prajâ-sûtis' ca sâttvikî

> > yadâ-when; avatîrnah-incarnates; bhagavân-the Supreme Lord; kalkih-Kalki; dharma-patih-the master of religion; harih-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; kritam-Satya-yuga; bhavishyati-will begin; tadâ-then; prajâ-sûtih-the creation of progeny; ca-and; sâttvikî-in the mode of goodness.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When the Supreme Lord has appeared on earth as Kalki, the maintainer of religion, Satya-yuga will begin, and human society will bring forth progeny in the mode of goodness.

> > *****

> > TEXT 24

> > yadâ candras' ca sûryas' ca

> > tathâ tishya-brihaspatî

> > eka-râs'au sameshyanti

> > bhavishyati tadâ kritam

> > yadâ-when; candrah-the moon; ca-and; sûryah-the sun; ca-and; tathâ-also; tishya-the asterism Tishyâ (more commonly known as Pushyâ, extending from 3° 20´ to 16° 40´ Cancer); brihaspatî-and the planet Jupiter; eka-râs'au-in the same constellation (Cancer); sameshyanti-will enter simultaneously; bhavishyati-will be; tadâ-then; kritam-Satya-yuga.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When the moon, the sun and Brihaspatî are together in the constellation Karkatha, and all three enter simultaneously into the lunar mansion Pushyâ-at that exact moment the age of Satya, or Krita, will begin.

> > *****

> > TEXT 25

> > ye 'tîtâ vartamânâ ye

> > bhavishyanti ca pârthivâh

> > te ta uddes'atah proktâ

> > vams'îyâh soma-sûryayoh

> > ye-those who; atîtâh-past; vartamânâh-present; ye-who; bhavishyanti-will be in the future; ca-and; pârthivâh-kings of the earth; te te-all of them; uddes'atah-by brief mention; proktâh-described; vams'îyâh-the members of the dynasties; soma-sûryayoh-of the sun-god and the moon-god.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus I have described all the kings-past, present and future-who belong to the dynasties of the sun and the moon.

> > *****

> > TEXT 26

> > ârabhya bhavato janma

> > yâvan nandâbhishecanam

> > etad varsha-sahasram tu

> > s'atam pan'cadas'ottaram

> > ârabhya-beginning from; bhavatah-of your good self (Parîkshit); janma-the birth; yâvat-up until; nanda-of King Nanda, the son of Mahânandi; abhishecanam-the coronation; etat-this; varsha-years; sahasram-one thousand; tu-and; s'atam-one hundred; pan'ca-das'a-uttaram-plus fifty.

> > TRANSLATION

> > From your birth up to the coronation of King Nanda, 1,150 years will pass.

> > *****

> > 27-28

> > saptarshînâm tu yau pûrvau

> > dris'yete uditau divi

> > tayos tu madhye nakshatram

> > dris'yate yat samam nis'i

> > tenaiva rishayo yuktâs

> > tishthhanty abda-s'atam nrinâm

> > te tvadîye dvijâh kâla

> > adhunâ câs'ritâ maghâh

> > sapta-rishînâm-of the constellation of the seven sages (the constellation known to Westerners as Ursa Major); tu-and; yau-which two stars; pûrvau-first; dris'yete-are seen; uditau-risen; divi-in the sky; tayoh-of the two (named Pulaha and Kratu); tu-and; madhye-between; nakshatram-the lunar mansion; dris'yate-is seen; yat-which; samam-on the same line of celestial longitude, as their midpoint; nis'i-in the night sky;

> > tena-with that lunar mansion; eva-indeed; rishayah-the seven sages; yuktâh-are connected; tishthhanti-they remain; abda-s'atam-one hundred years; nrinâm-of human beings; te-these seven sages; tvadîye-in your; dvijâh-the elevated brâhmanas; kâle-in the time; adhunâ-now; ca-and; âs'ritâh-are situated; maghâh-in the asterism Maghâ.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Of the seven stars forming the constellation of the seven sages, Pulaha and Kratu are the first to rise in the night sky. If a line running north and south were drawn through their midpoint, whichever of the lunar mansions this line passes through is said to be the ruling asterism of the constellation for that time. The Seven Sages will remain connected with that particular lunar mansion for one hundred human years. Currently, during your lifetime, they are situated in the nakshatra called Maghâ.

> > *****

> > TEXT 29

> > vishnor bhagavato bhânuh

> > krishnâkhyo 'sau divam gatah

> > tadâvis'at kalir lokam

> > pâpe yad ramate janah

> > vishnoh-of Vishnu; bhagavatah-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhânuh-the sun; krishna-âkhyah-known as Krishna; asau-He; divam-to the spiritual sky; gatah-having returned; tadâ-then; avis'at-entered; kalih-the age of Kali; lokam-this world; pâpe-in sin; yat-in which age; ramate-take pleasure; janah-the people.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Lord, Vishnu, is brilliant like the sun and is known as Krishna. When He returned to the spiritual sky, Kali entered this world, and people then began to take pleasure in sinful activities.

> > *****

> > TEXT 30

> > yâvat sa pâda-padmâbhyâm

> > spris'an âste ramâ-patih

> > tâvat kalir vai prithivîm

> > parâkrantum na câs'akat

> > yâvat-as long as; sah-He, Lord S'rî Krishna; pâda-padmâbhyâm-with His lotus feet; spris'an-touching; âste-remained; ramâ-patih-the husband of the goddess of fortune; tâvat-for that long; kalih-the age of Kali; vai-indeed; prithivîm-the earth; parâkrantum-to overcome; na-not; ca-and; as'akat-was able.

> > TRANSLATION

> > As long us Lord S'rî Krishna, the husband of the goddess of fortune, touched the earth with His lotus feet, Kali was powerless to subdue this planet.

> > *****

> > TEXT 31

> > yadâ devarshayah sapta

> > maghâsu vicaranti hi

> > tadâ pravrittas tu kalir

> > dvâdas'âbda-s'atâtmakah

> > yadâ-when; deva-rishayah sapta-the seven sages among the demigods; maghâsu-in the lunar mansion Maghâ; vicaranti-are traveling; hi-indeed; tadâ-then; pravrittah-begins; tu-and; kalih-the age of Kali; dvâdas'a-twelve; abda-s'ata-centuries [These twelve hundred years of the demigods equal 432,000 earth years]; âtmakah-consisting of.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When the constellation of the seven sages is passing through the lunar mansion Maghâ, the age of Kali begins. It comprises twelve hundred years of the demigods.

> > *****

> > TEXT 32

> > yadâ maghâbhyo yâsyanti

> > pûrvâshâdhâm maharshayah

> > tadâ nandât prabhrity esha

> > kalir vriddhim gamishyati

> > yadâ-when; maghâbhyah-from Maghâ; yâsyanti-they will go; pûrva-âshâdhâm-to the next lunar mansion, Pûrvâshâdhâ; mahâ-rishayah-the seven great sages; tadâ-then; nandât-beginning from Nanda; prabhriti-and his descendants; eshah-this; kalih-age of Kali; vriddhim-maturity; gamishyati-will attain.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When the great sages of the Saptarshi constellation pass from Maghâ to Pûrvâsâdhâ, Kali will have his full strength, beginning from King Nanda and his dynasty.

> > *****

> > TEXT 33

> > yasmin krishno divam yâtas

> > tasminn eva tadâhani

> > pratipannam kali-yugam

> > iti prâhuh purâ-vidah

> > yasmin-on which; krishnah-Lord S'rî Krishna; divam-to the spiritual world; yâtah-gone; tasmin-on that; eva-same; tadâ-then; ahani-day; pratipannam-obtained; kali-yugam-the age of Kali; iti-thus; prâhuh-they say; purâ-of the past; vidah-the experts.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Those who scientifically understand the past declare that on the very day that Lord S'rî Krishna departed for the spiritual world, the influence of the age of Kali began.

> > *****

> > TEXT 34

> > divyâbdânâm sahasrânte

> > caturthe tu punah kritam

> > bhavishyati tadâ nènâm

> > mana âtma-prakâs'akam

> > divya-of the demigods; abdânâm-years; sahasra-of one thousand; ante-at the end; caturthe-in the fourth age, Kali; tu-and; punah-again; kritam-the Satya-yuga; bhavishyati-will be; tadâ-then; nènâm-of men; manah-the minds; âtma-prakâs'akam-self-luminous.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After the one thousand celestial years of Kali-yuga, the Satya-yuga will manifest again. At that time the minds of all men will become self-effulgent.

> > *****

> > TEXT 35

> > ity esha mânavo vams'o

> > yathâ sankhyâyate bhuvi

> > tathâ vith-s'ûdra-viprânâm

> > tâs tâ jn'eyâ yuge yuge

> > iti-thus (in the cantos of this S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam); eshah-this; mânavah-descending from Vaivasvata Manu; vams'ah-the dynasty; yathâ-as; sankhyâyate-it is enumerated; bhuvi-upon the earth; tathâ-in the same way; vith-of the vais'yas; s'ûdra-s'ûdras; viprânâm-and brâhmanas; tâh tâh-the situations of each; jn'eyâh-are to be understood; yuge yuge-in each age.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus I have described the royal dynasty of Manu, as it is known on this earth. One can similarly study the history of the vais'yas, s'ûdras and brâhmanas living in the various ages.

> > *****

> > TEXT 36

> > eteshâm nâma-lingânâm

> > purushânâm mahâtmanâm

> > kathâ-mâtrâvas'ishthânâm

> > kîrtir eva sthitâ bhuvi

> > eteshâm-of these; nâma-their names; lingânâm-which are the only means of remembering them; purushânâm-of the personalities; mahâ-âtmanâm-who were great souls; kathâ-the stories; mâtra-merely; avas'ishthânâm-whose remaining portion; kîrtih-the glories; eva-only; sthitâ-are present; bhuvi-on the earth.

> > TRANSLATION

> > These personalities, who were great souls, are now known only by their names. They exist only in accounts from the past, and only their fame remains on the earth.

> > *****

> > TEXT 37

> > devâpih s'ântanor bhrâtâ

> > marus' cekshvâku-vams'a-jah

> > kalâpa-grâma âsâte

> > mahâ-yoga-balânvitau

> > devâpih-Devâpi; s'ântanoh-of Mahârâja S'ântanu; bhrâtâ-the brother; maruh-Maru; ca-and; ikshvâku-vams'a-jah-born in the dynasty of Ikshvâku; kalâpa-grâme-in the village Kalâpa; âsâte-the two of them are living; mahâ-great; yoga-bala-with mystic power; anvitau-endowed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Devâpi, the brother of Mahârâja S'ântanu, and Maru, the descendant of Ikshvâku, both possess great mystic strength and are living even now in the village of Kalâpa.

> > *****

> > TEXT 38

> > tâv ihaitya kaler ante

> > vâsudevânus'ikshitau

> > varnâs'rama-yutam dharmam

> > pûrva-vat prathayishyatah

> > tau-they (Maru and Devâpi); iha-to human society; etya-returning; kaleh-of the age of Kali; ante-at the end; vâsudeva-by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vâsudeva; anus'ikshitau-instructed; varna-âs'rama-the divine system of occupational and spiritual orders of society; yutam-comprising; dharmam-the code of eternal religion; pûrva-vat-just as previously; prathayishyatah-they will promulgate.

> > TRANSLATION

> > At the end of the age of Kali, these two kings, having received instruction directly from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vâsudeva, will return to human society and reestablish the eternal religion of man, characterized by the divisions of varna and âs'rama, just as it was before.

> > *****

> > TEXT 39

> > kritam tretâ dvâparam ca

> > kalis' ceti catur-yugam

> > anena krama-yogena

> > bhuvi prânishu vartate

> > kritam-Satya-yuga; tretâ-Tretâ-yuga; dvâparam-Dvâpara-yuga; ca-and; kalih-Kali-yuga; ca-and; iti-thus; catuh-yugam-the cycle of four ages; anena-by this; krama-sequential; yogena-pattern; bhuvi-in this world; prânishu-among living beings; vartate-goes on continuously.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The cycle of four ages-Satya, Tretâ, Dvâpara and Kali-continues perpetually among living beings on this earth, repeating the same general sequence of events.

> > *****

> > TEXT 40

> > râjann ete mayâ proktâ

> > nara-devâs tathâpare

> > bhûmau mamatvam kritvânte

> > hitvemâm nidhanam gatâh

> > râjan-O King Parîkshit; ete-these; mayâ-by me; proktâh-described; nara-devâh-kings; tathâ-and; apare-other human beings; bhûmau-upon the earth; mamatvam-possessiveness; kritvâ-exerting; ante-in the end; hitvâ-giving up; imâm-this world; nidhanam-destruction; gatâh-met.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear King Parîkshit, all these kings I have described, as well as all other human beings, come to this earth and stake their claims, but ultimately they all must give up this world and meet their destruction.

> > *****

> > TEXT 41

> > krimi-vid-bhasma-samjn'ânte

> > râja-nâmno 'pi yasya ca

> > bhûta-dhruk tat-krite svârtham

> > kim veda nirayo yatah

> > krimi-of worms; vith-stool; bhasma-and ashes; samjn'â-the designation; ante-in the end; râja-nâmnah-going by the name "king"; api-even though; yasya-of which (body); ca-and; bhûta-of living beings; dhruk-an enemy; tat-krite-for the sake of that body; sva-artham-his own best interest; kim-what; veda-does he know; nirayah-punishment in hell; yatah-because of which.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Even though a person's body may now have the designation "king," in the end its name will be "worms," "stool" or "ashes." What can a person who injures other living beings for the sake of his body know about his own self-interest, since his activities are simply leading him to hell?

> > *****

> > TEXT 42

> > katham seyam akhandâ bhûh

> > pûrvair me purushair dhritâ

> > mat-putrasya ca pautrasya

> > mat-pûrvâ vams'a-jasya vâ

> > katham-how; sâ iyam-this same; akhandâ-unbounded; bhûh-earth; pûrvaih-by the predecessors; me-my; purushaih-by the personalities; dhritâ-held in control; mat-putrasya-of my son; ca-and; pautrasya-of the grandson; mat-pûrvâ-now under my sway; vams'a-jasya-of the descendant; vâ-or.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [The materialistic king thinks:] "This unbounded earth was held by my predecessors and is now under my sovereignty. How can I arrange for it to remain in the hands of my sons, grandsons and other descendants?"

> > *****

> > TEXT 43

> > tejo-'b-anna-mayam kâyam

> > grihîtvâtmatayâbudhâh

> > mahîm mamatayâ cobhau

> > hitvânte 'dars'anam gatâh

> > tejah-fire; ap-water; anna-and earth; mayam-composed of; kâyam-this body; grihîtvâ-accepting; âtmatayâ-with the sense of "I"; abudhâh-the unintelligent; mahîm-this earth; mamatayâ-with the sense of "my"; ca-and; ubhau-both; hitvâ-giving up; ante-ultimately; adars'anam-disappearance; gatâh-they have obtained.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Although the foolish accept the body made of earth, water and fire as "me" and this earth as "mine," in every case they have ultimately abandoned both their body and the earth and passed away into oblivion.

> > *****

> > TEXT 44

> > ye ye bhû-patayo râjan

> > bhun'jate bhuvam ojasâ

> > kâlena te kritâh sarve

> > kathâ-mâtrâh kathâsu ca

> > ye ye-whatever; bhû-patayah-kings; râjan-O King Parîkshit; bhun'jate-enjoy; bhuvam-the world; ojasâ-with their power; kâlena-by the force of time; te-they; kritâh-have been made; sarve-all; kathâ-mâtrâh-mere accounts; kathâsu-in various histories; ca-and.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear King Parîkshit, all these kings who tried to enjoy the earth by their strength were reduced by the force of time to nothing more than historical accounts.

> > > Back to the running text