> > 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 Three: The Bhûmi-gîtâ

> > TEXT 1

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > drishthvâtmani jaye vyagrân

> > nripân hasati bhûr iyam

> > aho mâ vijigîshanti

> > mrityoh krîdanakâ nripâh

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca-S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; drishthvâ-observing; âtmani-of herself; jaye-in conquest; vyagrân-busily engaged; nripân-the kings; hasati-she laughs; bhûh-the earth; iyam-this; aho-ah; mâ-me; vijigîshanti-they are desiring to conquer; mrityoh-of death; krîdanakâh-playthings; nripâh-the kings.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Seeing the kings of this earth busy trying to conquer her, the earth herself laughed. She said: "Just see how these kings, who are actually playthings in the hands of death, are desiring to conquer me.

> > *****

> > TEXT 2

> > kâma esha narendrânâm

> > moghah syâd vidushâm api

> > yena phenopame pinde

> > ye 'ti-vis'rambhitâ nripâh

> > kâmah-lust; eshah-this; nara-indrânâm-of the rulers of men; moghah-the failure; syât-becomes; vidushâm-who are wise; api-even; yena-by which (lust); phena-upame-comparable to ephemeral bubbles; pinde-in this lump; ye-who; ati-vis'rambhitâh-perfectly trusting; nripah-the kings.

> > TRANSLATION

> > "Great rulers of men, even those who are learned, meet frustration and failure because of material lust. Driven by lust, these kings place great hope and faith in the dead lump of flesh called the body, even though the material frame is as fleeting as bubbles of foam on water.

> > *****

> > TEXT 3-4

> > pûrvam nirjitya shad-vargam

> > jeshyâmo râja-mantrinah

> > tatah saciva-paurâpta-

> > karîndrân asya kanthakân

> > evam kramena jeshyâmah

> > prithvîm sâgara-mekhalâm

> > ity âs'â-baddha-hridayâ

> > na pas'yanty antike 'ntakam

> > pûrvam-first of all; nirjitya-conquering; shath-vargam-the five senses and the mind; jeshyâmah-we will conquer; râja-mantrinah-the royal ministers; tatah-then; saciva-the personal secretaries; paura-the citizens of the capital; âpta-the friends; kari-indrân-the elephant keepers; asya-ridding ourselves of; kanthakân-the thorns;

> > evam-in this way; kramena-gradually; jeshyâmah-we shall conquer; prithvîm-the earth; sâgara-the ocean; mekhalâm-whose girdle; iti-thus thinking; âs'â-by hopes; baddha-bound up; hridayâh-their hearts; na pas'yanti-they do not see; antike-nearby; antakam-their own end.

> > TRANSLATION

> > "Kings and politicians imagine: 'First I will conquer my senses and mind; then I will subdue my chief ministers and rid myself of the thorn-pricks of my advisors, citizens, friends and relatives, as well as the keepers of my elephants. In this way I will gradually conquer the entire earth.' Because the hearts of these leaders are bound by great expectations, they fail to see death waiting nearby.

> > *****

> > TEXT 5

> > samudrâvaranâm jitvâ

> > mâm vis'anty abdhim ojasâ

> > kiyad âtma-jayasyaitan

> > muktir âtma-jaye phalam

> > samudra-âvaranâm-bounded by the ocean; jitvâ-having conquered; mâm-me; vis'anti-they enter; abdhim-the ocean; ojasâ-by their strength; kiyat-how much; âtma-jayasya-of victory over the self; etat-this; muktih-liberation; âtma-jaye-of victory over the self; phalam-the fruit.

> > TRANSLATION

> > "After conquering all the land on my surface, these proud kings forcibly enter the ocean to conquer the sea itself. What is the use of their self-control, which is aimed at political exploitation? The actual goal of self-control is spiritual liberation."

> > *****

> > TEXT 6

> > yâm visrijyaiva manavas

> > tat-sutâs' ca kurûdvaha

> > gatâ yathâgatam yuddhe

> > tâm mâm jeshyanty abuddhayah

> > yâm-whom; visrijya-giving up; eva-indeed; manavah-human beings; tat-sutâh-their sons; ca-also; kuru-udvaha-O best of the Kurus; gatâh-gone away; yathâ-âgatam-just as they had originally come; yuddhe-in battle; tâm-that; mâm-me, the earth; jeshyanti-they try to conquer; abuddhayah-unintelligent.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O best of the Kurus, the earth continued as follows: "Although in the past great men and their descendants have left me, departing from this world in the same helpless way they came into it, even today foolish men are trying to conquer me.

> > *****

> > TEXT 7

> > mat-krite pitri-putrânâm

> > bhrâtrinâm câpi vigrahah

> > jâyate hy asatâm râjye

> > mamatâ-baddha-cetasâm

> > mat-krite-for the sake of me; pitri-putrânâm-between fathers and sons; bhrâtrinâm-among brothers; ca-and; api-also; vigrahah-conflict; jâyate-arises; hi-indeed; asatâm-among the materialistic; râjye-for political rule; mamatâ-by the sense of possession; baddha-bound up; cetasâm-whose hearts.

> > 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.

> > *****

> > TEXT 8

> > mamaiveyam mahî kritsnâ

> > na te mûdheti vâdinah

> > spardhamânâ mitho ghnanti

> > mriyante mat-krite nripâh

> > mama-mine; eva-indeed; iyam-this; mahî-land; kritsnâ-entire; na-not; te-yours; mûdha-you fool; iti vâdinah-thus speaking; spardhamânâh-quarreling; mithah-each other; ghnanti-they kill; mriyante-they are killed; mat-krite-for my sake; nripâh-kings.

> > TRANSLATION

> > "Political leaders challenge one another: 'All this land is mine! It's not yours, you fool!' Thus they attack one another and die.

> > *****

> > TEXT 9-13

> > prithuh purûravâ gâdhir

> > nahusho bharato 'rjunah

> > mândhâtâ sagaro râmah

> > khathvângo dhundhuhâ raghuh

> > trinabindur yayâtis' ca

> > s'aryâtih s'antanur gayah

> > bhagîrathah kuvalayâs'vah

> > kakutstho naishadho nrigah

> > hiranyakas'ipur vritro

> > râvano loka-râvanah

> > namucih s'ambaro bhaumo

> > hiranyâksho 'tha târakah

> > anye ca bahavo daityâ

> > râjâno ye mahes'varâh

> > sarve sarva-vidah s'ûrâh

> > sarve sarva-jito 'jitâh

> > mamatâm mayy avartanta

> > kritvoccair martya-dharminah

> > kathâvas'eshâh kâlena

> > hy akritârthâh kritâ vibho

> > prithuh purûravâh gâdhih-Mahârâjas Prithu, Purûravâ and Gâdhi; nahushah bharatah arjunah-Nahusha, Bharata and Kârtavîrya Arjuna; mândhâtâ sagarah râmah-Mândhâtâ, Sagara and Râma; khathvângah dhundhuhâ raghuh-Khathvânga, Dhundhuhâ and Raghu;

> > trinabinduh yayâtih ca-Trinabindu and Yayâti; s'aryâtih s'antanuh gayah-S'aryâti, S'antanu and Gaya; bhagîrathah kuvalayâs'vah-Bhagîratha and Kuvalayâs'va; kakutsthah naishadhah nrigah-Kakutstha, Naishadha and Nriga;

> > hiranyakas'ipuh vritrah-Hiranyakas'ipu and Vritrâsura; râvanah-Râvana; loka-râvanah-who made the whole world cry; namucih s'ambarah bhaumah-Namuci, S'ambara and Bhauma; hiranyâkshah-Hiranyâksha; atha-and; târakah-Târaka;

> > anye-others; ca-as well; bahavah-many; daityâh-demons; râjânah-kings; ye-who; mahâ-îs'varâh-great controllers; sarve-all of them; sarva-vidah-all-knowing; s'ûrâh-heroes; sarve-all; sarva-jitah-all-conquering; ajitâh-unconquerable;

> > mamatâm-possessiveness; mayi-for me; avartanta-they lived; kritvâ-expressing; uccaih-to a great degree; martya-dharminah-subject to the laws of birth and death; kathâ-avas'eshâh-remaining merely as historical narrations; kâlena-by the force of time; hi-indeed; akrita-arthâh-incomplete in perfecting their desires; kritâh-they have been made; vibho-O Lord.

> > TRANSLATION

> > "Such kings as Prithu, Purûravâ, Gâdhi, Nahusha, Bharata, Kârtavîrya Arjuna, Mândhâtâ, Sagara, Râma, Khathvânga, Dhundhuhâ, Raghu, Trinabindu, Yayâti, S'aryâti, S'antanu, Gaya, Bhagîratha, Kuvalayâs'va, Kakutstha, Naishadha, Nriga, Hiranyakas'ipu, Vritra, Râvana, who made the whole world lament, Namuci, S'ambara, Bhauma, Hiranyâksha and Târaka, as well as many other demons and kings who possessed great powers of control over others, were all full of knowledge, heroic, all-conquering and unconquerable. Nevertheless, O almighty Lord, although they lived their lives intensely trying to possess me, these kings were subject to the passage of time, which reduced them all to mere historical accounts. None of them could permanently establish their rule."

> > *****

> > TEXT 14

> > kathâ imâs te kathitâ mahîyasâm

> > vitâya lokeshu yas'ah pareyushâm

> > vijn'âna-vairâgya-vivakshayâ vibho

> > vaco-vibhûtîr na tu pâramârthyam

> > kathâh-the narrations; imâh-these; te-unto you; kathitâh-have been spoken; mahîyasâm-of great kings; vitâya-spreading; lokeshu-throughout all the worlds; yas'ah-their fame; pareyushâm-who have departed; vijn'âna-transcendental knowledge; vairâgya-and renunciation; vivakshayâ-with the desire for teaching; vibho-O mighty Parîkshit; vacah-of words; vibhûtîh-the decoration; na-not; tu-but; pârama-arthyam-of the most essential purport.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: O mighty Parîkshit, I have related to you the narrations of all these great kings, who spread their fame throughout the world and then departed. My real purpose was to teach transcendental knowledge and renunciation. Stories of kings lend power and opulence to these narrations but do not in themselves constitute the ultimate aspect of knowledge.

> > *****

> > TEXT 15

> > yas tûttamah-s'loka-gunânuvâdah

> > sangîyate 'bhîkshnam amangala-ghnah

> > tam eva nityam s'rinuyâd abhîkshnam

> > krishne 'malâm bhaktim abhîpsamânah

> > yah-which; tu-on the other hand; uttamah-s'loka-of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is praised in transcendental verses; guna-of the qualities; anuvâdah-the recounting; sangîyate-is sung; abhîkshnam-always; amangala-ghnah-which destroys everything inauspicious; tam-that; eva-indeed; nityam-regularly; s'rinuyât-one should hear; abhîkshnam-constantly; krishne-unto Lord Krishna; amalâm-untainted; bhaktim-devotional service; abhîpsamânah-he who desires.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The person who desires pure devotional service to Lord Krishna should hear the narrations of Lord Uttamahs'loka's glorious qualities, the constant chanting of which destroys everything inauspicious. The devotee should engage in such listening in regular daily assemblies and should also continue his hearing throughout the day.

> > *****

> > TEXT 16

> > s'rî-râjovâca

> > kenopâyena bhagavan

> > kaler doshân kalau janâh

> > vidhamishyanty upacitâms

> > tan me brûhi yathâ mune

> > s'rî-râjâ uvâca-King Parîkshit said; kena-by what; upâyena-means; bhagavan-my dear lord; kaleh-of the age of Kali; doshân-the faults; kalau-living in Kali-yuga; janâh-people; vidhamishyanti-will eradicate; upacitân-accumulated; tat-that; me-to me; brûhi-please explain; yathâ-fittingly; mune-O sage.

> > TRANSLATION

> > King Parîkshit said: My lord, how can persons living in the age of Kali rid themselves of the cumulative contamination of this age? O great sages please explain this to me.

> > *****

> > TEXT 17

> > yugâni yuga-dharmâms' ca

> > mânam pralaya-kalpayoh

> > kâlasyes'vara-rûpasya

> > gatim vishnor mahâtmanah

> > yugâni-the ages of the universal history; yuga-dharmân-the special qualities of each age; ca-and; mânam-the measurement; pralaya-of annihilation; kalpayoh-and of universal maintenance; kâlasya-of time; îs'vara-rûpasya-the representation of the Personality of Godhead; gatim-the movement; vishnoh-of Lord Vishnu; mahâ-âtmanah-the Supreme Soul.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Please explain the different ages of universal history, the special qualities of each age, the duration of cosmic maintenance and destruction, and the movement of time, which is the direct representation of the Supreme Soul, the Personality of Godhead, Lord Vishnu.

> > *****

> > TEXT 18

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > krite pravartate dharmas'

> > catush-pât taj-janair dhritah

> > satyam dayâ tapo dânam

> > iti pâdâ vibhor nripa

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca-S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; krite-in the Satya-yuga, the age of truth; pravartate-exists; dharmah-religion; catuh-pât-with four legs; tat-of that age; janaih-by the people; dhritah-maintained; satyam-truth; dayâ-mercy; tapah-austerity; dânam-charity; iti-thus; pâdâh-the legs; vibhoh-of mighty religion; nripa-O King.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: My dear King, in the beginning, during Satya-yuga, the age of truth, religion is present with all four of its legs intact and is carefully maintained by the people of that age. These four legs of powerful religion are truthfulness, mercy, austerity and charity.

> > *****

> > TEXT 19

> > santushthâh karunâ maitrâh

> > s'ântâ dântâs titikshavah

> > âtmârâmâh sama-dris'ah

> > prâyas'ah s'ramanâ janâh

> > santushthâh-self-satisfied; karunâh-merciful; maitrâh-friendly; s'ântâh-pacified; dântâh-self-controlled; titikshavah-tolerant; âtma-ârâmâh-enthused from within; sama-dris'ah-possessed of equal vision; prâyas'ah-for the most part; s'ramanâh-endeavoring diligently (for self-realization); janâh-the people.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The people of Satya-yuga are for the most part self-satisfied, merciful, friendly to all, peaceful, sober and tolerant. They take their pleasure from within, see all things equally and always endeavor diligently for spiritual perfection.

> > PURPORT

> > Sama-dars'ana, equal vision, is based on the perception of the Supreme Spirit behind all material variety and within all living entities.

> > *****

> > TEXT 20

> > tretâyâm dharma-pâdânâm

> > turyâms'o hîyate s'anaih

> > adharma-pâdair anrita-

> > himshâsantosha-vigrahaih

> > tretâyâm-in the second age; dharma-pâdânâm-of the legs of religion; turya-one fourth; ams'ah-part; hîyate-is lost; s'anaih-gradually; adharma-pâdaih-by the legs of irreligion; anrita-by falsity; himsâ-violence; asantosha-dissatisfaction; vigrahaih-and quarrel.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In Tretâ-yuga each leg of religion is gradually reduced by one quarter by the influence of the four pillars of irreligion-lying, violence, dissatisfaction and quarrel.

> > *****

> > TEXT 21

> > tadâ kriyâ-tapo-nishthhâ

> > nâti-himsrâ na lampathâh

> > trai-vargikâs trayî-vriddhâ

> > varnâ brahmottarâ nripa

> > tadâ-then (in the Tretâ age); kriyâ-to ritualistic ceremonies; tapah-and to penances; nishthhâh-devoted; na ati-himsrâh-not excessively violent; na lampathâh-not wantonly desiring sense gratification; trai-vargikâh-interested in the three principles of religiosity, economic development and sense gratification; trayî-by the three Vedas; vriddhâh-made prosperous; varnâh-the four classes of society; brahma-uttarâh-mostly brâhmanas; nripa-O King.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the Tretâ age people are devoted to ritual performances and severe austerities. They are not excessively violent or very lusty after sensual pleasure. Their interest lies primarily in religiosity, economic development and regulated sense gratification, and they achieve prosperity by following the prescriptions of the three Vedas. Although in this age society evolves into four separate classes, O King, most people are brâhmanas.

> > *****

> > TEXT 22

> > tapah-satya-dayâ-dâneshv

> > ardham hrasvati dvâpare

> > himsâtushthy-anrita-dveshair

> > dharmasyâdharma-lakshanaih

> > tapah-of austerity; satya-truth; dayâ-mercy; dâneshu-and charity; ardham-one half; hrasvati-diminishes; dvâpare-in the age of Dvâpara; himsâ-by violence; atushthi-dissatisfaction; anrita-untruth; dveshaih-and hatred; dharmasya-of religion; adharma-lakshanaih-by the qualities of irreligion.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In Dvâpara-yuga the religious qualities of austerity, truth, mercy and charity are reduced to one half by their irreligious counterparts-dissatisfaction, untruth, violence and enmity.

> > *****

> > TEXT 23

> > yas'asvino mahâ-s'îlâh

> > svâdhyâyâdhyayane ratâh

> > âdhyâh kuthumbino hrishthâ

> > varnâh kshatra-dvijottarâh

> > yas'asvinah-eager for glory; mahâ-s'îlâh-noble; svâdhyâya-adhyayane-in study of the Vedic literature; ratâh-absorbed; âdhyâh-endowed with opulence; kuthumbinah-having large families; hrishthâh-joyful; varnâh-the four classes of society; kshatra-dvija-uttarâh-represented mostly by the kshatriyas and brâhmanas.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the Dvâpara age people are interested in glory and are very noble. They devote themselves to the study of the Vedas, possess great opulence, support large families and enjoy life with vigor. Of the four classes, the kshatriyas and brâhmanas are most numerous.

> > *****

> > TEXT 24

> > kalau tu dharma-pâdânâm

> > turyâms'o 'dharma-hetubhih

> > edhamânaih kshîyamâno

> > hy ante so 'pi vinankshyati

> > kalau-in the age of Kali; tu-and; dharma-pâdânâm-of the legs of religion; turya-ams'ah-one fourth; adharma-of irreligion; hetubhih-by the principles; edhamânaih-which are increasing; kshîyamânah-decreasing; hi-indeed; ante-in the end; sah-that one quarter; api-also; vinankshyati-will be destroyed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the age of Kali only one fourth of the religious principles remains. That last remnant will continuously be decreased by the ever-increasing principles of irreligion and will finally be destroyed.

> > *****

> > TEXT 25

> > tasmin lubdhâ durâcârâ

> > nirdayâh s'ushka-vairinah

> > durbhagâ bhûri-tarshâs' ca

> > s'ûdra-dâsottarâh prajâh

> > tasmin-in that age; lubdhâh-greedy; durâcârâh-ill-behaved; nirdayâh-merciless; s'ushka-vairinah-prone to useless quarrel; durbhagâh-unfortunate; bhûri-tarshâh-obsessed by many kinds of hankering; ca-and; s'ûdra-dâsa-uttarâh-predominantly low-class laborers and barbarians; prajâh-the people.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the Kali age people tend to be greedy, ill-behaved and merciless, and they fight one another without good reason. Unfortunate and obsessed with material desires, the people of Kali-yuga are almost all s'ûdras and barbarians.

> > *****

> > TEXT 26

> > sattvam rajas tama iti

> > dris'yante purushe gunâh

> > kâla-san'coditâs te vai

> > parivartanta âtmani

> > sattvam-goodness; rajah-passion; tamah-ignorance; iti-thus; dris'yante-are seen; purushe-in a person; gunâh-the modes of material nature; kâla-san'coditâh-impelled by time; te-they; vai-indeed; parivartante-undergo permutation; âtmani-within the mind.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The material modes-goodness, passion and ignorance-whose permutations are observed within a person's mind, are set into motion by the power of time.

> > *****

> > TEXT 27

> > prabhavanti yadâ sattve

> > mano-buddhîndriyâni ca

> > tadâ krita-yugam vidyâj

> > jn'âne tapasi yad rucih

> > prabhavanti-they are predominantly manifest; yadâ-when; sattve-in the mode of goodness; manah-the mind; buddhi-intelligence; indriyâni-senses; ca-and; tadâ-then; krita-yugam-the age of Krita; vidyât-should be understood; jn'âne-in knowledge; tapasi-and austerity; yat-when; rucih-pleasure.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When the mind, intelligence and senses are solidly fixed in the mode of goodness, that time should be understood as Satya-yuga, the age of truth. People then take pleasure in knowledge and austerity.

> > *****

> > TEXT 28

> > yadâ karmasu kâmyeshu

> > bhaktir yas'asi dehinâm

> > tadâ tretâ rajo-vrittir

> > iti jânîhi buddhiman

> > yadâ-when; karmasu-in duties; kâmyeshu-based on selfish desire; bhaktih-devotion; yas'asi-in honor; dehinâm-of the embodied souls; tadâ-then; tretâ-the age of Tretâ; rajah-vrittih-predominated by activities in the mode of passion; iti-thus; jânîhi-you should understand; buddhi-man-O intelligent King Parîkshit.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O most intelligent one, when the conditioned souls are devoted to their duties but have ulterior motives and seek personal prestige, you should understand such a situation to be the age of Tretâ, in which the functions of passion are prominent.

> > *****

> > TEXT 29

> > yadâ lobhas tv asantosho

> > mâno dambho 'tha matsarah

> > karmanâm câpi kâmyânâm

> > dvâparam tad rajas-tamah

> > yadâ-when; lobhah-greed; tu-indeed; asantoshah-dissatisfaction; mânah-false pride; dambhah-hypocrisy; atha-and; matsarah-envy; karmanâm-of activities; ca-and; api-also; kâmyânâm-selfish; dvâparam-the age of Dvâpara; tat-that; rajah-tamah-predominated by a mixture of the modes of passion and ignorance.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When greed, dissatisfaction, false pride, hypocrisy and envy become prominent, along with attraction for selfish activities, such a time is the age of Dvâpara, dominated by the mixed modes of passion and ignorance.

> > *****

> > TEXT 30

> > yadâ mâyânritam tandrâ

> > nidrâ himsâ vishâdanam

> > s'oka-mohau bhayam dainyam

> > sa kalis tâmasah smritah

> > yadâ-when; mâyâ-deceit; anritam-false speech; tandrâ-sloth; nidrâ-sleep and intoxication; himsâ-violence; vishâdanam-depression; s'oka-lamentation; mohau-and delusion; bhayam-fear; dainyam-poverty; sah-that; kalih-the age of Kali; tâmasah-in the mode of ignorance; smritah-is considered.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When there is a predominance of cheating, lying, sloth, sleepiness, violence, depression, lamentation, bewilderment, fear and poverty, that age is Kali, the age of the mode of ignorance.

> > *****

> > TEXT 31

> > tasmât kshudra-dris'o martyâh

> > kshudra-bhâgyâ mahâs'anâh

> > kâmino vitta-hînâs' ca

> > svairinyas' ca striyo 'satîh

> > tasmât-due to these qualities of the age of Kali; kshudra-dris'ah-shortsighted; martyâh-human beings; kshudra-bhâgyâh-unfortunate; mahâ-as'anâh-excessive in their eating habits; kâminah-full of lust; vitta-hînâh-lacking wealth; ca-and; svairinyah-independent in their social dealings; ca-and; striyah-the women; asatîh-unchaste.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Because of the bad qualities of the age of Kali, human beings will become shortsighted, unfortunate, gluttonous, lustful and poverty-stricken. The women, becoming unchaste, will freely wander from one man to the next.

> > *****

> > TEXT 32

> > dasyûtkrishthâ janapadâ

> > vedâh pâshanda-dûshitâh

> > râjânas' ca prajâ-bhakshâh

> > s'is'nodara-parâ dvijâh

> > dasyu-utkrishthâh-predominated by thieves; jana-padâh-the populated places; vedâh-the Vedic scriptures; pâshanda-by atheists; dûshitâh-contaminated; râjânah-the political leaders; ca-and; prajâ-bhakshâh-consuming the populace; s'is'na-udara-to the genitals and belly; parâh-dedicated; dvijâh-the brâhmanas.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Cities will be dominated by thieves, the Vedas will be contaminated by speculative interpretations of atheists, political leaders will virtually consume the citizens, and the so-called priests and intellectuals will be devotees of their bellies and genitals.

> > *****

> > TEXT 33

> > avratâ bathavo 's'aucâ

> > bhikshavas' ca kuthumbinah

> > tapasvino grâma-vâsâ

> > nyâsino 'tyartha-lolupâh

> > avratâh-failing to execute their vows; bathavah-the brahmacârîs; as'aucâh-unclean; bhikshavah-prone to begging; ca-and; kuthumbinah-the householders; tapasvinah-those who have gone to the forest for austerities; grâma-vâsâh-village residents; nyâsinah-the sannyâsîs; atyartha-lolupâh-excessively greedy for wealth.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The brahmacârîs will fail to execute their vows and become generally unclean, the householders will become beggars, the vânaprasthas will live in the villages, and the sannyâsîs will become greedy for wealth.

> > *****

> > TEXT 34

> > hrasva-kâyâ mahâhârâ

> > bhûry-apatyâ gata-hriyah

> > s'as'vat kathuka-bhâshinyas'

> > caurya-mâyoru-sâhasâh

> > hrasva-kâyâh-having dwarfed bodies; mahâ-âhârâh-eating too much; bhûri-apatyâh-having many children; gata-hriyah-losing their shyness; s'as'vat-constantly; kathuka-harshly; bhâshinyah-speaking; caurya-exhibiting the tendencies of thievery; mâyâ-deceit; uru-sâhasâh-and great audacity.

> > 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.

> > *****

> > TEXT 35

> > panayishyanti vai kshudrâh

> > kirâthâh kûtha-kârinah

> > anâpady api mamsyante

> > vârtâm sâdhu jugupsitâm

> > panayishyanti-will engage in commerce; vai-indeed; kshudrâh-petty; kirâthâh-the merchants; kûtha-kârinah-indulging in cheating; anâpadi-when there is no emergency; api-even; mamsyante-people will consider; vârtâm-an occupation; sâdhu-good; jugupsitâm-which is actually contemptible.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Businessmen will engage in petty commerce and earn their money by cheating. Even when there is no emergency, people will consider any degraded occupation quite acceptable.

> > *****

> > TEXT 36

> > patim tyakshyanti nirdravyam

> > bhrityâ apy akhilottamam

> > bhrityam vipannam patayah

> > kaulam gâs' câpayasvinîh

> > patim-a master; tyakshyanti-they will abandon; nirdravyam-lacking property; bhrityâh-servants; api-even; akhila-uttamam-most excellent in personal qualities; bhrityam-a servant; vipannam-incapacitated; patayah-masters; kaulam-belonging to the family for generations; gâh-cows; ca-and; apayasvinîh-which have stopped giving milk.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Servants will abandon a master who has lost his wealth, even if that master is a saintly person of exemplary character. Masters will abandon an incapacitated servant, even if that servant has been in the family for generations. Cows will be abandoned or killed when they stop giving milk.

> > *****

> > TEXT 37

> > pitri-bhrâtri-suhrij-jn'âtîn

> > hitvâ saurata-sauhridâh

> > nanândri-s'yâla-samvâdâ

> > dînâh strainâh kalau narâh

> > pitri-their fathers; bhrâtri-brothers; suhrit-well-wishing friends; jn'âtîn-and immediate relatives; hitvâ-giving up; saurata-based on sexual relationships; sauhridâh-their conception of friendship; nanândri-with their wives' sisters; s'yâla-and wives' brothers; samvâdâh-associating regularly; dînâh-wretched; strainâh-effeminate; kalau-in Kali-yuga; narâh-the men.

> > 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.

> > *****

> > TEXT 38

> > s'ûdrâh pratigrahîshyanti

> > tapo-veshopajîvinah

> > dharmam vakshyanty adharma-jn'â

> > adhiruhyottamâsanam

> > s'ûdrâh-lowly, common workers; pratigrahîshyanti-will accept religious charity; tapah-by shows of austerity; vesha-and by dressing as mendicants; upajîvinah-earning their living; dharmam-the principles of religion; vakshyanti-will speak about; adharma-jn'âh-those who know nothing about religion; adhiruhya-mounting; uttama-âsanam-a high seat.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Uncultured men will accept charity on behalf of the Lord and will earn their livelihood by making a show of austerity and wearing a mendicant's dress. Those who know nothing about religion will mount a high seat and presume to speak on religious principles.

> > *****

> > 39-40

> > nityam udvigna-manaso

> > durbhiksha-kara-kars'itâh

> > niranne bhû-tale râjan

> > anâvrishthi-bhayâturâh

> > vâso-'nna-pâna-s'ayana-

> > vyavâya-snâna-bhûshanaih

> > hînâh pis'âca-sandars'â

> > bhavishyanti kalau prajâh

> > nityam-constantly; udvigna-agitated; manasah-their minds; durbhiksha-by famine; kara-and taxes; kars'itah-emaciated; niranne-when there is no food to be found; bhû-tale-upon the surface of the earth; râjan-O King Parîkshit; anâvrishthi-of drought; bhaya-because of fear; âturâh-anxious;

> > vâsah-clothing; anna-food; pâna-drink; s'ayana-rest; vyavâya-sex; snâna-bathing; bhûshanaih-and personal ornaments; hînâh-lacking; pis'âca-sandars'âh-appearing just like ghostly demons; bhavishyanti-they will become; kalau-in the age of Kali; prajâh-the people.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the age of Kali, people's minds will always be agitated. They will become emaciated by famine and taxation, my dear King, and will always be disturbed by fear of drought. They will lack adequate clothing, food and drink, will be unable to properly rest, have sex or bathe themselves, and will have no ornaments to decorate their bodies. In fact, the people of Kali-yuga will gradually come to appear like ghostly, haunted creatures.

> > *****

> > TEXT 41

> > kalau kâkinike 'py arthe

> > vigrihya tyakta-sauhridâh

> > tyakshyanti ca priyân prânân

> > hanishyanti svakân api

> > kalau-in the age of Kali; kâkinike-of a small coin; api-even; arthe-for the sake; vigrihya-developing enmity; tyakta-abandoning; sauhridâh-friendly relations; tyakshyanti-they will reject; ca-and; priyân-dear; prânân-their own lives; hanishyanti-they will kill; svakân-their own relatives; api-even.

> > 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.

> > *****

> > TEXT 42

> > na rakshishyanti manujâh

> > sthavirau pitarâv api

> > putrân bhâryâm ca kula-jâm

> > kshudrâh s'is'nodaram-bharâh

> > na rakshishyanti-they will not protect; manujâh-men; sthavirau-elderly; pitarau-parents; api-even; putrân-children; bhâryâm-wife; ca-also; kula-jâm-born of a proper family; kshudrâh-petty; s'is'na-udaram-their genitals and belly; bharâh-simply maintaining.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Men will no longer protect their elderly parents, their children or their respectable wives. Thoroughly degraded, they will care only to satisfy their own bellies and genitals.

> > *****

> > TEXT 43

> > kalau na râjan jagatâm param gurum

> > tri-loka-nâthânata-pâda-pankajam

> > prâyena martyâ bhagavantam acyutam

> > yakshyanti pâshanda-vibhinna-cetasah

> > kalau-in the age of Kali; na-not; râjan-O King; jagatâm-of the universe; param-the supreme; gurum-spiritual master; tri-loka-of the three worlds; nâtha-by the various masters; ânata-bowed down to; pâda-pankajam-whose lotus feet; prâyena-for the most part; martyâh-human beings; bhagavantam-the Personality of Godhead; acyutam-Lord Acyuta; yakshyanti-they will offer sacrifice; pâshanda-by atheism; vibhinna-diverted; cetasah-their intelligence.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O King, in the age of Kali people's intelligence will be diverted by atheism, and they will almost never offer sacrifice to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the supreme spiritual master of the universe. Although the great personalities who control the three worlds all bow down to the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, the petty and miserable human beings of this age will not do so.

> > *****

> > TEXT 44

> > yan-nâmadheyam mriyamâna âturah

> > patan skhalan vâ vivas'o grinan pumân

> > vimukta-karmârgala uttamâm gatim

> > prâpnoti yakshyanti na tam kalau janâh

> > yat-whose; nâmadheyam-name; mriyamânah-a person who is dying; âturah-distressed; patan-collapsing; skhalan-voice faltering; vâ-or; vivas'ah-helplessly; grinan-chanting; pumân-a person; vimukta-freed; karma-of fruitive work; argalah-from the chains; uttamâm-the topmost; gatim-destination; prâpnoti-achieves; yakshyanti na-they do not worship; tam-Him, the Personality of Godhead; kalau-in the age of Kali; janâh-people.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Terrified, about to die, a man collapses on his bed. Although his voice is faltering and he is hardly conscious of what he is saying, if he utters the holy name of the Supreme Lord he can be freed from the reaction of his fruitive work and achieve the supreme destination. But still people in the age of Kali will not worship the Supreme Lord.

> > *****

> > TEXT 45

> > pumsâm kali-kritân doshân

> > dravya-des'âtma-sambhavân

> > sarvân harati citta-stho

> > bhagavân purushottamah

> > pumsâm-of men; kali-kritân-created by the influence of Kali; doshân-the faults; dravya-objects; des'a-space; âtma-and personal nature; sambhavân-based upon; sarvân-all; harati-steals away; citta-sthah-situated within the heart; bhagavân-the almighty Lord; purusha-uttamah-the Supreme Person.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the Kali-yuga, objects, places and even individual personalities are all polluted. The almighty Personality of Godhead, however, can remove all such contamination from the life of one who fixes the Lord within his mind.

> > *****

> > TEXT 46

> > s'rutah sankîrtito dhyâtah

> > pûjitas' câdrito 'pi vâ

> > nrinâm dhunoti bhagavân

> > hrit-stho janmâyutâs'ubham

> > s'rutah-heard; sankîrtitah-glorified; dhyâtah-meditated upon; pûjitah-worshiped; ca-and; âdritah-venerated; api-even; vâ-or; nrinâm-of men; dhunoti-cleanses away; bhagavân-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; hrit-sthah-seated within their hearts; janma-ayuta-of thousands of births; as'ubham-the inauspicious contamination.

> > TRANSLATION

> > If a person hears about, glorifies, meditates upon, worships or simply offers great respect to the Supreme Lord, who is situated within the heart, the Lord will remove from his mind the contamination accumulated during many thousands of lifetimes.

> > *****

> > TEXT 47

> > yathâ hemni sthito vahnir

> > durvarnam hanti dhâtu-jam

> > evam âtma-gato vishnur

> > yoginâm as'ubhâs'ayam

> > yathâ-just as; hemni-in gold; sthitah-situated; vahnih-fire; durvarnam-the discoloration; hanti-destroys; dhâtu-jam-due to the taint of other metals; evam-in the same way; âtma-gatah-having entered the soul; vishnuh-Lord Vishnu; yoginâm-of the yogîs; as'ubha-âs'ayam-the dirty mind.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Just as fire applied to gold removes any discoloration caused by traces of other metals, Lord Vishnu within the heart purifies the minds of the yogîs.

> > *****

> > TEXT 48

> > vidyâ-tapah-prâna-nirodha-maitrî-

> > tîrthâbhisheka-vrata-dâna-japyaih

> > nâtyanta-s'uddhim labhate 'ntarâtmâ

> > yathâ hridi-sthe bhagavaty anante

> > vidyâ-by worship of demigods; tapah-austerities; prâna-nirodha-exercise of breath control; maitrî-compassion; tîrtha-abhisheka-bathing in holy places; vrata-strict vows; dâna-charity; japyaih-and chanting of various mantras; na-not; atyanta-complete; s'uddhim-purification; labhate-can achieve; antah-âtmâ-the mind; yathâ-as; hridi-sthe-when He is present within the heart; bhagavati-the Personality of Godhead; anante-the unlimited Lord.

> > TRANSLATION

> > By one's engaging in the processes of demigod worship, austerities, breath control, compassion, bathing in holy places, strict vows, charity and chanting of various mantras, one's mind cannot attain the same absolute purification as that achieved when the unlimited Personality of Godhead appears within one's heart.

> > *****

> > TEXT 49

> > tasmât sarvâtmanâ râjan

> > hridi-stham kuru kes'avam

> > mriyamâno hy avahitas

> > tato yâsi parâm gatim

> > tasmât-therefore; sarva-âtmanâ-with all endeavor; râjan-O King; hridi-stham-within your heart; kuru-make; kes'avam-Lord Kes'ava; mriyamânah-dying; hi-indeed; avahitah-concentrated; tatah-then; yâsi-you will go; param-to the supreme; gatim-destination.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Therefore, O King, endeavor with all your might to fix the Supreme Lord Kes'ava within your heart. Maintain this concentration upon the Lord, and at the time of death you will certainly attain the supreme destination.

> > *****

> > TEXT 50

> > mriyamânair abhidhyeyo

> > bhagavân parames'varah

> > âtma-bhâvam nayaty anga

> > sarvâtmâ sarva-sams'rayah

> > mriyamânaih-by those who are dying; abhidhyeyah-meditated upon; bhagavân-the Personality of Godhead; parama-îs'varah-the Supreme Lord; âtma-bhâvam-their own true identity; nayati-leads them to; anga-my dear King; sarva-âtmâ-the Supreme Soul; sarva-sams'rayah-the shelter of all beings.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear King, the Personality of Godhead is the ultimate controller. He is the Supreme Soul and the supreme shelter of all beings. When meditated upon by those about to die, He reveals to them their own eternal spiritual identity.

> > *****

> > TEXT 51

> > kaler dosha-nidhe râjann

> > asti hy eko mahân gunah

> > kîrtanâd eva krishnasya

> > mukta-sangah param vrajet

> > kaleh-of the age of Kali; dosha-nidheh-in the ocean of faults; râjan-O King; asti-there is; hi-certainly; ekah-one; mahân-very great; gunah-good quality; kîrtanât-by chanting; eva-certainly; krishnasya-of the holy name of Krishna; mukta-sangah-liberated from material bondage; param-to the transcendental spiritual kingdom; vrajet-one can go.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: Simply by chanting the Hare Krishna mahâ-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom.

> > *****

> > TEXT 52

> > krite yad dhyâyato vishnum

> > tretâyâm yajato makhaih

> > dvâpare paricaryâyâm

> > kalau tad dhari-kîrtanât

> > krite-in the Satya-yuga; yat-which; dhyâyatah-from meditation; vishnum-on Lord Vishnu; tretâyâm-in the Tretâ-yuga; yajatah-from worshiping; makhaih-by performing sacrifices; dvâpare-in the age of Dvâpara; paricaryâyâm-by worshiping the lotus feet of Krishna; kalau-in the age of Kali; tat-that same result (can be achieved); hari-kîrtanât-simply by chanting the Hare Krishna mahâ-mantra.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Vishnu, in Tretâ-yuga by performing sacrifices, and in Dvâpara-yuga by serving the Lord's lotus feet can be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Krishna mahâ-mantra.

> > Back to the running text