Before Verses
Devanagari
Verse Text
Synonyms
Translation
Purport
CHAPTER ONE
The Degraded Dynasties of Kali-yuga
The Twelfth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam begins with Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī predicting the kings of the earth who will appear in the future during the Age of Kali. Then he gives a description of the numerous faults of the age, after which the presiding goddess of the earth sarcastically berates the foolish members of the kingly order who perpetually try to conquer her. Next Śukadeva Gosvāmī explains the four varieties of material annihilation, and then he gives his final advice to Mahārāja Parīkṣit. Thereafter King Parīkṣit is bitten by the snake-bird Takṣaka and leaves this world. Sūta Gosvāmī concludes his narration of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya forest by enumerating the teachers of the various branches of the Vedas and Purāṇas, relating the pious history of Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, glorifying the Supreme Lord in His universal form and in His expansion as the sun-god, summarizing the topics discussed in this literature, and offering final benedictions and prayers.
The First Chapter of this canto briefly describes the future kings of the dynasty of Magadha and how they become degraded because of the influence of the Age of Kali. There were twenty kings who ruled in the family of Pūru, in the dynasty of the sun-god, counting from Uparicara Vasu to Purañjaya. After Purañjaya, the lineage of this dynasty will become corrupted. Following Purañjaya there will be five kings known as the Pradyotanas, who are then followed by the Śiśunāgas, the Mauryas, the Śuṅgas, the Kāṇvas, thirty kings of the Andhra nation, seven Ābhīras, ten Gardabhīs, sixteen Kaṅkas, eight Yavanas, fourteen Turuṣkas, ten Guruṇḍas, eleven Maulas, five Kilakilā monarchs and thirteen Bāhlikas. After this, different regions will be ruled over at the same time by seven Andhra kings, seven Kauśalas, the kings of Vidūra, and the Niṣadhas. Then the power of rulership in the countries of Magadha and so forth will fall to kings who are no better than śūdras and mlecchas and are totally absorbed in irreligion.
Devanagari
श्रीशुक उवाच
योऽन्त्य: पुरञ्जयो नाम भविष्यो बारहद्रथ: ।
तस्यामात्यस्तु शुनको हत्वा स्वामिनमात्मजम् ॥ १ ॥
प्रद्योतसंज्ञं राजानं कर्ता यत् पालक: सुत: ।
विशाखयूपस्तत्पुत्रो भविता राजकस्तत: ॥ २ ॥
योऽन्त्य: पुरञ्जयो नाम भविष्यो बारहद्रथ: ।
तस्यामात्यस्तु शुनको हत्वा स्वामिनमात्मजम् ॥ १ ॥
प्रद्योतसंज्ञं राजानं कर्ता यत् पालक: सुत: ।
विशाखयूपस्तत्पुत्रो भविता राजकस्तत: ॥ २ ॥
Verse text
śrī-śuka uvāca
yo ’ntyaḥ purañjayo nāma
bhaviṣyo bārahadrathaḥ
tasyāmātyas tu śunako
hatvā svāminam ātma-jam
yo ’ntyaḥ purañjayo nāma
bhaviṣyo bārahadrathaḥ
tasyāmātyas tu śunako
hatvā svāminam ātma-jam
pradyota-saṁjñaṁ rājānaṁ
kartā yat-pālakaḥ sutaḥ
viśākhayūpas tat-putro
bhavitā rājakas tataḥ
kartā yat-pālakaḥ sutaḥ
viśākhayūpas tat-putro
bhavitā rājakas tataḥ
Synonyms
śrī śukaḥ uvāca — Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; yaḥ — who; antyaḥ — the final member (of the lineage described in the Ninth Canto); purañjayaḥ — Purañjaya (Ripuñjaya); nāma — named; bhaviṣyaḥ — will live in the future; bārahadrathaḥ — the descendant of Bṛhadratha; tasya — his; amātyaḥ — minister; tu — but; śunakaḥ — Śunaka; hatvā — killing; svāminam — his master; ātma-jam — his own son; pradyota-saṁjñam — named Pradyota; rājānam — the king; kartā — will make; yat — whose; pālakaḥ — named Pālaka; sutaḥ — the son; viśākhayūpaḥ — Viśākhayūpa; tat-putraḥ — the son of Pālaka; bhavitā — will be; rājakaḥ — Rājaka; tataḥ — then (coming as the son of Viśākhayūpa).
Translation
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The last king mentioned in our previous enumeration of the future rulers of the Māgadha dynasty was Purañjaya, who will take birth as the descendant of Bṛhadratha. Purañjaya’s minister Śunaka will assassinate the king and install his own son, Pradyota, on the throne. The son of Pradyota will be Pālaka, his son will be Viśākhayūpa, and his son will be Rājaka.
Purport
The vicious political intrigue described here is symptomatic of the Age of Kali. In the Ninth Canto of this work, Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes how the great rulers of men descended from two royal dynasties, that of the sun and that of the moon. The Ninth Canto’s description of Lord Rāmacandra, a most famous incarnation of God, occurs in this genealogical narration, and at the end of the Ninth Canto Śukadeva describes the forefathers of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma. Finally, the appearance of Lord Kṛṣṇa and that of Lord Balarāma are mentioned within the context of the narration of the moon dynasty.
The Tenth Canto is devoted exclusively to a description of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s childhood pastimes in Vṛndāvana, His teenage activities in Mathurā and His adult activities in Dvārakā. The famous epic Mahābhārata also describes the events of this period, focusing upon the five Pāṇḍava brothers and their activities in relation with Lord Kṛṣṇa and other leading historical figures, such as Bhīṣma, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Droṇācārya and Vidura. Within the Mahābhārata is Bhagavad-gītā, in which Lord Kṛṣṇa is declared to be the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, of which we are presently translating the twelfth and final canto, is considered a more advanced literature than the Mahābhārata because throughout the entire work Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Absolute Truth and supreme source of all existence, is directly, centrally and irrefutably revealed. In fact, the First Canto of the Bhāgavatam describes how Śrī Vyāsadeva composed this great work because he was dissatisfied with his rather sporadic glorification of Lord Kṛṣṇa in the Mahābhārata.
Although Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam narrates the histories of many royal dynasties and the lives of innumerable kings, not until the description of the present age, the Age of Kali, do we find a minister assassinating his own king and installing his son on the throne. This incident resembles Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s attempt to assassinate the Pāṇḍavas and crown his son Duryodhana king. As the Mahābhārata describes, Lord Kṛṣṇa thwarted this attempt, but with the departure of the Lord for the spiritual sky, the Age of Kali became fully manifested, ushering in political assassination within one’s own house as a standard technique.
Devanagari
नन्दिवर्धनस्तत्पुत्र: पञ्च प्रद्योतना इमे ।
अष्टत्रिंशोत्तरशतं भोक्ष्यन्ति पृथिवीं नृपा: ॥ ३ ॥
अष्टत्रिंशोत्तरशतं भोक्ष्यन्ति पृथिवीं नृपा: ॥ ३ ॥
Verse text
nandivardhanas tat-putraḥ
pañca pradyotanā ime
aṣṭa-triṁśottara-śataṁ
bhokṣyanti pṛthivīṁ nṛpāḥ
pañca pradyotanā ime
aṣṭa-triṁśottara-śataṁ
bhokṣyanti pṛthivīṁ nṛpāḥ
Synonyms
nandivardhanaḥ — Nandivardhana; tat-putraḥ — his son; pañca — five; pradyotanāḥ — Pradyotanas; ime — these; aṣṭa-triṁśa — thirty-eight; uttara — increased by; śatam — one hundred; bhokṣyanti — they will enjoy; pṛthivīm — the earth; nṛpāḥ — these kings.
Translation
The son of Rājaka will be Nandivardhana, and thus in the Pradyotana dynasty there will be five kings, who will enjoy the earth for 138 years.
Devanagari
शिशुनागस्ततो भाव्य: काकवर्णस्तु तत्सुत: ।
क्षेमधर्मा तस्य सुत: क्षेत्रज्ञ: क्षेमधर्मज: ॥ ४ ॥
क्षेमधर्मा तस्य सुत: क्षेत्रज्ञ: क्षेमधर्मज: ॥ ४ ॥
Verse text
śiśunāgas tato bhāvyaḥ
kākavarṇas tu tat-sutaḥ
kṣemadharmā tasya sutaḥ
kṣetrajñaḥ kṣemadharma-jaḥ
kākavarṇas tu tat-sutaḥ
kṣemadharmā tasya sutaḥ
kṣetrajñaḥ kṣemadharma-jaḥ
Synonyms
śiśunāgaḥ — Śiśunāga; tataḥ — then; bhāvyaḥ — will take birth; kākavarṇaḥ — Kākavarṇa; tu — and; tat-sutaḥ — his son; kṣemadharmā — Kṣemadharmā; tasya — of Kākavarṇa; sutaḥ — the son; kṣetrajñaḥ — Kṣetrajña; kṣemadharma-jaḥ — born to Kṣemadharmā.
Translation
Nandivardhana will have a son named Śiśunāga, and his son will be known as Kākavarṇa. The son of Kākavarṇa will be Kṣemadharmā, and the son of Kṣemadharmā will be Kṣetrajña.
Devanagari
विधिसार: सुतस्तस्याजातशत्रुर्भविष्यति ।
दर्भकस्तत्सुतो भावी दर्भकस्याजय: स्मृत: ॥ ५ ॥
दर्भकस्तत्सुतो भावी दर्भकस्याजय: स्मृत: ॥ ५ ॥
Verse text
vidhisāraḥ sutas tasyā-
jātaśatrur bhaviṣyati
darbhakas tat-suto bhāvī
darbhakasyājayaḥ smṛtaḥ
jātaśatrur bhaviṣyati
darbhakas tat-suto bhāvī
darbhakasyājayaḥ smṛtaḥ
Synonyms
vidhisāraḥ — Vidhisāra; sutaḥ — the son; tasya — of Kṣetrajña; ajātaśatruḥ — Ajātaśatru; bhaviṣyati — will be; darbhakaḥ — Darbhaka; tat-sutaḥ — the son of Ajātaśatru; bhāvī — will take birth; darbhakasya — of Darbhaka; ajayaḥ — Ajaya; smṛtaḥ — is remembered.
Translation
The son of Kṣetrajña will be Vidhisāra, and his son will be Ajātaśatru. Ajātaśatru will have a son named Darbhaka, and his son will be Ajaya.
Devanagari
नन्दिवर्धन आजेयो महानन्दि: सुतस्तत: ।
शिशुनागा दशैवैते सष्ट्युत्तरशतत्रयम् ॥ ६ ॥
समा भोक्ष्यन्ति पृथिवीं कुरुश्रेष्ठ कलौ नृपा: ।
महानन्दिसुतो राजन् शूद्रागर्भोद्भवो बली ॥ ७ ॥
महापद्मपति: कश्चिन्नन्द: क्षत्रविनाशकृत् ।
ततो नृपा भविष्यन्ति शूद्रप्रायास्त्वधार्मिका: ॥ ८ ॥
शिशुनागा दशैवैते सष्ट्युत्तरशतत्रयम् ॥ ६ ॥
समा भोक्ष्यन्ति पृथिवीं कुरुश्रेष्ठ कलौ नृपा: ।
महानन्दिसुतो राजन् शूद्रागर्भोद्भवो बली ॥ ७ ॥
महापद्मपति: कश्चिन्नन्द: क्षत्रविनाशकृत् ।
ततो नृपा भविष्यन्ति शूद्रप्रायास्त्वधार्मिका: ॥ ८ ॥
Verse text
nandivardhana ājeyo
mahānandiḥ sutas tataḥ
śiśunāgā daśaivaite
saṣṭy-uttara-śata-trayam
mahānandiḥ sutas tataḥ
śiśunāgā daśaivaite
saṣṭy-uttara-śata-trayam
samā bhokṣyanti pṛthivīṁ
kuru-śreṣṭha kalau nṛpāḥ
mahānandi-suto rājan
śūdrā-garbhodbhavo balī
kuru-śreṣṭha kalau nṛpāḥ
mahānandi-suto rājan
śūdrā-garbhodbhavo balī
mahāpadma-patiḥ kaścin
nandaḥ kṣatra-vināśa-kṛt
tato nṛpā bhaviṣyanti
śūdra-prāyās tv adhārmikāḥ
nandaḥ kṣatra-vināśa-kṛt
tato nṛpā bhaviṣyanti
śūdra-prāyās tv adhārmikāḥ
Synonyms
nandivardhanaḥ — Nandivardhana; ājeyaḥ — the son of Ajaya; mahā-nandiḥ — Mahānandi; sutaḥ — the son; tataḥ — then (following Nandivardhana); śiśunāgāḥ — the Śiśunāgas; daśa — ten; eva — indeed; ete — these; saṣṭi — sixty; uttara — increased by; śata-trayam — three hundred; samāḥ — years; bhokṣyanti — they will rule; pṛthivīm — the earth; kuruśreṣṭha — O best of the Kurus; kalau — in this Age of Kali; nṛpāḥ — the kings; mahānandi-sutaḥ — the son of Mahānandi; rājan — O King Parīkṣit; śūdrā-garbha — in the womb of a śūdra woman; udbhavaḥ — taking birth; balī — powerful; mahā-padma — of an army, or wealth, measured in the millions; patiḥ — the master; kaścit — a certain; nandaḥ — Nanda; kṣatra — of the royal class; vināśa-kṛt — the destroyer; tataḥ — then; nṛpāḥ — the kings; bhaviṣyanti — will become; śūdra-prāyāḥ — no better than śūdras; tu — and; adhārmikāḥ — irreligious.
Translation
Ajaya will father a second Nandivardhana, whose son will be Mahānandi. O best of the Kurus, these ten kings of the Śiśunāga dynasty will rule the earth for a total of 360 years during the Age of Kali. My dear Parīkṣit, King Mahānandi will father a very powerful son in the womb of a śūdra woman. He will be known as Nanda and will be the master of millions of soldiers and fabulous wealth. He will wreak havoc among the kṣatriyas, and from that time onward virtually all kings will be irreligious śūdras.
Purport
Here is a description of how authentic political authority degenerated and disintegrated throughout the world. There is a Supreme Godhead, and there are saintly, powerful men who have taken the role of government leaders and represented that Godhead on earth. With the advent of the Age of Kali, however, this transcendental system of government collapsed, and unauthorized, uncivilized men gradually took the reins of power.
Devanagari
स एकच्छत्रां पृथिवीमनुल्लङ्घितशासन: ।
शासिष्यति महापद्मो द्वितीय इव भार्गव: ॥ ९ ॥
शासिष्यति महापद्मो द्वितीय इव भार्गव: ॥ ९ ॥
Verse text
sa eka-cchatrāṁ pṛthivīm
anullaṅghita-śāsanaḥ
śāsiṣyati mahāpadmo
dvitīya iva bhārgavaḥ
anullaṅghita-śāsanaḥ
śāsiṣyati mahāpadmo
dvitīya iva bhārgavaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
That lord of Mahāpadma, King Nanda, will rule over the entire earth just like a second Paraśurāma, and no one will challenge his authority.
Purport
In the eighth verse of this chapter it was mentioned that King Nanda would destroy the remnants of the kṣatriya order. Therefore he is here compared to Lord Paraśurāma, who annihilated the kṣatriya class twenty-one times in a previous age.
Devanagari
तस्य चाष्टौ भविष्यन्ति सुमाल्यप्रमुखा: सुता: ।
य इमां भोक्ष्यन्ति महीं राजानश्च शतं समा: ॥ १० ॥
य इमां भोक्ष्यन्ति महीं राजानश्च शतं समा: ॥ १० ॥
Verse text
tasya cāṣṭau bhaviṣyanti
sumālya-pramukhāḥ sutāḥ
ya imāṁ bhokṣyanti mahīṁ
rājānaś ca śataṁ samāḥ
sumālya-pramukhāḥ sutāḥ
ya imāṁ bhokṣyanti mahīṁ
rājānaś ca śataṁ samāḥ
Synonyms
Translation
He will have eight sons, headed by Sumālya, who will control the earth as powerful kings for one hundred years.
Devanagari
नव नन्दान् द्विज: कश्चित् प्रपन्नानुद्धरिष्यति ।
तेषामभावे जगतीं मौर्या भोक्ष्यन्ति वै कलौ ॥ ११ ॥
तेषामभावे जगतीं मौर्या भोक्ष्यन्ति वै कलौ ॥ ११ ॥
Verse text
nava nandān dvijaḥ kaścit
prapannān uddhariṣyati
teṣām abhāve jagatīṁ
mauryā bhokṣyanti vai kalau
prapannān uddhariṣyati
teṣām abhāve jagatīṁ
mauryā bhokṣyanti vai kalau
Synonyms
nava — nine; nandān — the Nandas (King Nanda and his eight sons); dvijaḥ — brāhmaṇa; kaścit — a certain; prapannān — trusting; uddhariṣyati — will uproot; teṣām — of them; abhāve — in the absence; jagatīm — the earth; mauryāḥ — the Maurya dynasty; bhokṣyanti — will rule over; vai — indeed; kalau — in this age, Kali-yuga.
Translation
A certain brāhmaṇa [Cāṇakya] will betray the trust of King Nanda and his eight sons and will destroy their dynasty. In their absence the Mauryas will rule the world as the Age of Kali continues.
Purport
Śrīdhara Svāmī and Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura both confirm that the brāhmaṇa mentioned here is Cāṇakya, also known as Kauṭilya or Vātsyāyana. The great historical narration Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which began with the events prior to the cosmic manifestation, now reaches into the realm of modern recorded history. Modern historians recognize both the Maurya dynasty and Candragupta, the king mentioned in the following verse.
Devanagari
स एव चन्द्रगुप्तं वै द्विजो राज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति ।
तत्सुतो वारिसारस्तु ततश्चाशोकवर्धन: ॥ १२ ॥
तत्सुतो वारिसारस्तु ततश्चाशोकवर्धन: ॥ १२ ॥
Verse text
sa eva candraguptaṁ vai
dvijo rājye ’bhiṣekṣyati
tat-suto vārisāras tu
tataś cāśokavardhanaḥ
dvijo rājye ’bhiṣekṣyati
tat-suto vārisāras tu
tataś cāśokavardhanaḥ
Synonyms
saḥ — he (Cāṇakya); eva — indeed; candraguptam — Prince Candragupta; vai — indeed; dvijaḥ — the brāhmaṇa; rājye — in the role of king; abhiṣekṣyati — will install; tat — of Candragupta; sutaḥ — the son; vārisāraḥ — Vārisāra; tu — and; tataḥ — following Vārisāra; ca — and; aśokavardhanaḥ — Aśokavardhana.
Translation
This brāhmaṇa will enthrone Candragupta, whose son will be named Vārisāra. The son of Vārisāra will be Aśokavardhana.
Devanagari
सुयशा भविता तस्य सङ्गत: सुयश:सुत: ।
शालिशूकस्ततस्तस्य सोमशर्मा भविष्यति ।
शतधन्वा ततस्तस्य भविता तद् बृहद्रथ: ॥ १३ ॥
शालिशूकस्ततस्तस्य सोमशर्मा भविष्यति ।
शतधन्वा ततस्तस्य भविता तद् बृहद्रथ: ॥ १३ ॥
Verse text
suyaśā bhavitā tasya
saṅgataḥ suyaśaḥ-sutaḥ
śāliśūkas tatas tasya
somaśarmā bhaviṣyati
śatadhanvā tatas tasya
bhavitā tad-bṛhadrathaḥ
saṅgataḥ suyaśaḥ-sutaḥ
śāliśūkas tatas tasya
somaśarmā bhaviṣyati
śatadhanvā tatas tasya
bhavitā tad-bṛhadrathaḥ
Synonyms
suyaśāḥ — Suyaśā; bhavitā — will be born; tasya — of him (Aśokavardhana); saṅgataḥ — Saṅgata; suyaśaḥ-sutaḥ — the son of Suyaśā; śāliśūkaḥ — Śāliśūka; tataḥ — next; tasya — of him (Śāliśūka); somaśarmā — Somaśarmā; bhaviṣyati — will be; śatadhanvā — Śatadhanvā; tataḥ — next; tasya — of him (Somaśarmā); bhavitā — will be; tat — of him (Śatadhanvā); bṛhadrathaḥ — Bṛhadratha.
Translation
Aśokavardhana will be followed by Suyaśā, whose son will be Saṅgata. His son will be Śāliśūka, Śāliśūka’s son will be Somaśarmā, and Somaśarmā’s son will be Śatadhanvā. His son will be known as Bṛhadratha.
Devanagari
मौर्या ह्येते दश नृपा: सप्तत्रिंशच्छतोत्तरम् ।
समा भोक्ष्यन्ति पृथिवीं कलौ कुरुकुलोद्वह ॥ १४ ॥
समा भोक्ष्यन्ति पृथिवीं कलौ कुरुकुलोद्वह ॥ १४ ॥
Verse text
mauryā hy ete daśa nṛpāḥ
sapta-triṁśac-chatottaram
samā bhokṣyanti pṛthivīṁ
kalau kuru-kulodvaha
sapta-triṁśac-chatottaram
samā bhokṣyanti pṛthivīṁ
kalau kuru-kulodvaha
Synonyms
Translation
O best of the Kurus, these ten Maurya kings will rule the earth for 137 years of the Kali-yuga.
Purport
Although nine kings are mentioned by name, Daśaratha appeared after Sujyeṣṭha, before the rule of Saṅgata, and thus there are ten Maurya kings.
Devanagari
अग्निमित्रस्ततस्तस्मात् सुज्येष्ठो भविता तत: ।
वसुमित्रो भद्रकश्च पुलिन्दो भविता सुत: ॥ १५ ॥
ततो घोष: सुतस्तस्माद् वज्रमित्रो भविष्यति ।
ततो भागवतस्तस्माद् देवभूति: कुरूद्वह ॥ १६ ॥
शुङ्गा दशैते भोक्ष्यन्ति भूमिं वर्षशताधिकम् ।
तत: काण्वानियं भूमिर्यास्यत्यल्पगुणान्नृप ॥ १७ ॥
वसुमित्रो भद्रकश्च पुलिन्दो भविता सुत: ॥ १५ ॥
ततो घोष: सुतस्तस्माद् वज्रमित्रो भविष्यति ।
ततो भागवतस्तस्माद् देवभूति: कुरूद्वह ॥ १६ ॥
शुङ्गा दशैते भोक्ष्यन्ति भूमिं वर्षशताधिकम् ।
तत: काण्वानियं भूमिर्यास्यत्यल्पगुणान्नृप ॥ १७ ॥
Verse text
agnimitras tatas tasmāt
sujyeṣṭho bhavitā tataḥ
vasumitro bhadrakaś ca
pulindo bhavitā sutaḥ
sujyeṣṭho bhavitā tataḥ
vasumitro bhadrakaś ca
pulindo bhavitā sutaḥ
tato ghoṣaḥ sutas tasmād
vajramitro bhaviṣyati
tato bhāgavatas tasmād
devabhūtiḥ kurūdvaha
vajramitro bhaviṣyati
tato bhāgavatas tasmād
devabhūtiḥ kurūdvaha
śuṅgā daśaite bhokṣyanti
bhūmiṁ varṣa-śatādhikam
tataḥ kāṇvān iyaṁ bhūmir
yāsyaty alpa-guṇān nṛpa
bhūmiṁ varṣa-śatādhikam
tataḥ kāṇvān iyaṁ bhūmir
yāsyaty alpa-guṇān nṛpa
Synonyms
agnimitraḥ — Agnimitra; tataḥ — from Puṣpamitra, the general who will murder Bṛhadratha; tasmāt — from him (Agnimitra); sujyeṣṭhaḥ — Sujyeṣṭha; bhavitā — will be; tataḥ — from him; vasumitraḥ — Vasumitra; bhadrakaḥ — Bhadraka; ca — and; pulindaḥ — Pulinda; bhavitā — will be; sutaḥ — the son; tataḥ — from him (Pulinda); ghoṣaḥ — Ghoṣa; sutaḥ — the son; tasmāt — from him; vajramitraḥ — Vajramitra; bhaviṣyati — will be; tataḥ — from him; bhāgavataḥ — Bhāgavata; tasmāt — from him; devabhūtiḥ — Devabhūti; kuru-udvaha — O most eminent of the Kurus; śuṅgāḥ — the Śuṅgas; daśa — ten; ete — these; bhokṣyanti — will enjoy; bhūmim — the earth; varṣa — years; śata — one hundred; adhikam — more than; tataḥ — then; kāṇvān — the Kāṇva dynasty; iyam — this; bhūmiḥ — the earth; yāsyati — will come under the domain; alpa-guṇān — of few good qualities; nṛpa — O King Parīkṣit.
Translation
My dear King Parīkṣit, Agnimitra will follow as king, and then Sujyeṣṭha. Sujyeṣṭha will be followed by Vasumitra, Bhadraka, and the son of Bhadraka, Pulinda. Then the son of Pulinda, named Ghoṣa, will rule, followed by Vajramitra, Bhāgavata and Devabhūti. In this way, O most eminent of the Kuru heroes, ten Śuṅga kings will rule over the earth for more than one hundred years. Then the earth will come under the subjugation of the kings of the Kāṇva dynasty, who will manifest very few good qualities.
Purport
According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, the Śuṅga dynasty began when General Puṣpamitra killed his king, Bṛhadratha, and assumed power. After Puṣpamitra came Agnimitra and the rest of the Śuṅga dynasty, which lasted for 112 years.
Devanagari
शुङ्गं हत्वा देवभूतिं काण्वोऽमात्यस्तु कामिनम् ।
स्वयं करिष्यते राज्यं वसुदेवो महामति: ॥ १८ ॥
स्वयं करिष्यते राज्यं वसुदेवो महामति: ॥ १८ ॥
Verse text
śuṅgaṁ hatvā devabhūtiṁ
kāṇvo ’mātyas tu kāminam
svayaṁ kariṣyate rājyaṁ
vasudevo mahā-matiḥ
kāṇvo ’mātyas tu kāminam
svayaṁ kariṣyate rājyaṁ
vasudevo mahā-matiḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Vasudeva, an intelligent minister coming from the Kāṇva family, will kill the last of the Śuṅga kings, a lusty debauchee named Devabhūti, and assume rulership himself.
Purport
Apparently, because King Devabhūti was lusty after the wives of other men, his minister killed him, assuming leadership and thus beginning the Kāṇva dynasty.
Devanagari
तस्य पुत्रस्तु भूमित्रस्तस्य नारायण: सुत: ।
काण्वायना इमे भूमिं चत्वारिंशच्च पञ्च च ।
शतानि त्रीणि भोक्ष्यन्ति वर्षाणां च कलौ युगे ॥ १९ ॥
काण्वायना इमे भूमिं चत्वारिंशच्च पञ्च च ।
शतानि त्रीणि भोक्ष्यन्ति वर्षाणां च कलौ युगे ॥ १९ ॥
Verse text
tasya putras tu bhūmitras
tasya nārāyaṇaḥ sutaḥ
kāṇvāyanā ime bhūmiṁ
catvāriṁśac ca pañca ca
śatāni trīṇi bhokṣyanti
varṣāṇāṁ ca kalau yuge
tasya nārāyaṇaḥ sutaḥ
kāṇvāyanā ime bhūmiṁ
catvāriṁśac ca pañca ca
śatāni trīṇi bhokṣyanti
varṣāṇāṁ ca kalau yuge
Synonyms
tasya — of him (Vasudeva); putraḥ — the son; tu — and; bhūmitraḥ — Bhūmitra; tasya — his; nārāyaṇaḥ — Nārāyaṇa; sutaḥ — the son; kāṇva-ayanāḥ — kings of the Kāṇva dynasty; ime — these; bhūmim — the earth; catvāriṁśat — forty; ca — and; pañca — five; ca — and; śatāni — hundreds; trīṇi — three; bhokṣyanti — they will rule; varṣāṇām — years; ca — and; kalau yuge — in the Kali-yuga.
Translation
The son of Vasudeva will be Bhūmitra, and his son will be Nārāyaṇa. These kings of the Kāṇva dynasty will rule the earth for 345 more years of the Kali-yuga.
Devanagari
हत्वा काण्वं सुशर्माणं तद् भृत्यो वृषलो बली ।
गां भोक्ष्यत्यन्ध्रजातीय: कञ्चित् कालमसत्तम: ॥ २० ॥
गां भोक्ष्यत्यन्ध्रजातीय: कञ्चित् कालमसत्तम: ॥ २० ॥
Verse text
hatvā kāṇvaṁ suśarmāṇaṁ
tad-bhṛtyo vṛṣalo balī
gāṁ bhokṣyaty andhra-jātīyaḥ
kañcit kālam asattamaḥ
tad-bhṛtyo vṛṣalo balī
gāṁ bhokṣyaty andhra-jātīyaḥ
kañcit kālam asattamaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
The last of the Kāṇvas, Suśarmā, will be murdered by his own servant, Balī, a low-class śūdra of the Andhra race. This most degraded Mahārāja Balī will have control over the earth for some time.
Purport
Here is a further description of how uncultured men infiltrated government administration. The so-called king named Balī is described as asattama, a most impious, uncultured man.
Devanagari
कृष्णनामाथ तद्भ्राता भविता पृथिवीपति: ।
श्रीशान्तकर्णस्तत्पुत्र: पौर्णमासस्तु तत्सुत: ॥ २१ ॥
लम्बोदरस्तु तत्पुत्रस्तस्माच्चिबिलको नृप: ।
मेघस्वातिश्चिबिलकादटमानस्तु तस्य च ॥ २२ ॥
अनिष्टकर्मा हालेयस्तलकस्तस्य चात्मज: ।
पुरीषभीरुस्तत्पुत्रस्ततो राजा सुनन्दन: ॥ २३ ॥
चकोरो बहवो यत्र शिवस्वातिररिन्दम: ।
तस्यापि गोमतीपुत्र: पुरीमान् भविता तत: ॥ २४ ॥
मेदशिरा: शिवस्कन्दो यज्ञश्रीस्तत्सुतस्तत: ।
विजयस्तत्सुतो भाव्यश्चन्द्रविज्ञ: सलोमधि: ॥ २५ ॥
एते त्रिंशन्नृपतयश्चत्वार्यब्दशतानि च ।
षट्पञ्चाशच्च पृथिवीं भोक्ष्यन्ति कुरुनन्दन ॥ २६ ॥
श्रीशान्तकर्णस्तत्पुत्र: पौर्णमासस्तु तत्सुत: ॥ २१ ॥
लम्बोदरस्तु तत्पुत्रस्तस्माच्चिबिलको नृप: ।
मेघस्वातिश्चिबिलकादटमानस्तु तस्य च ॥ २२ ॥
अनिष्टकर्मा हालेयस्तलकस्तस्य चात्मज: ।
पुरीषभीरुस्तत्पुत्रस्ततो राजा सुनन्दन: ॥ २३ ॥
चकोरो बहवो यत्र शिवस्वातिररिन्दम: ।
तस्यापि गोमतीपुत्र: पुरीमान् भविता तत: ॥ २४ ॥
मेदशिरा: शिवस्कन्दो यज्ञश्रीस्तत्सुतस्तत: ।
विजयस्तत्सुतो भाव्यश्चन्द्रविज्ञ: सलोमधि: ॥ २५ ॥
एते त्रिंशन्नृपतयश्चत्वार्यब्दशतानि च ।
षट्पञ्चाशच्च पृथिवीं भोक्ष्यन्ति कुरुनन्दन ॥ २६ ॥
Verse text
kṛṣṇa-nāmātha tad-bhrātā
bhavitā pṛthivī-patiḥ
śrī-śāntakarṇas tat-putraḥ
paurṇamāsas tu tat-sutaḥ
bhavitā pṛthivī-patiḥ
śrī-śāntakarṇas tat-putraḥ
paurṇamāsas tu tat-sutaḥ
lambodaras tu tat-putras
tasmāc cibilako nṛpaḥ
meghasvātiś cibilakād
aṭamānas tu tasya ca
tasmāc cibilako nṛpaḥ
meghasvātiś cibilakād
aṭamānas tu tasya ca
aniṣṭakarmā hāleyas
talakas tasya cātma-jaḥ
purīṣabhīrus tat-putras
tato rājā sunandanaḥ
talakas tasya cātma-jaḥ
purīṣabhīrus tat-putras
tato rājā sunandanaḥ
cakoro bahavo yatra
śivasvātir arin-damaḥ
tasyāpi gomatī putraḥ
purīmān bhavitā tataḥ
śivasvātir arin-damaḥ
tasyāpi gomatī putraḥ
purīmān bhavitā tataḥ
medaśirāḥ śivaskando
yajñaśrīs tat-sutas tataḥ
vijayas tat-suto bhāvyaś
candravijñaḥ sa-lomadhiḥ
yajñaśrīs tat-sutas tataḥ
vijayas tat-suto bhāvyaś
candravijñaḥ sa-lomadhiḥ
ete triṁśan nṛpatayaś
catvāry abda-śatāni ca
ṣaṭ-pañcāśac ca pṛthivīṁ
bhokṣyanti kuru-nandana
catvāry abda-śatāni ca
ṣaṭ-pañcāśac ca pṛthivīṁ
bhokṣyanti kuru-nandana
Synonyms
kṛṣṇa-nāma — named Kṛṣṇa; atha — then; tat — of him (Balī); bhrātā — the brother; bhavitā — will become; pṛthivī-patiḥ — the master of the earth; śrī-śāntakarṇaḥ — Śrī Śāntakarṇa; tat — of Kṛṣṇa; putraḥ — the son; paurṇamāsaḥ — Paurṇamāsa; tu — and; tat-sutaḥ — his son; lambodaraḥ — Lambodara; tu — and; tat-putraḥ — his son; tasmāt — from him (Lambodara); cibilakaḥ — Cibilaka; nṛpaḥ — the king; meghasvātiḥ — Meghasvāti; cibilakāt — from Cibilaka; aṭamānaḥ — Aṭamāna; tu — and; tasya — of him (Meghasvāti); ca — and; aniṣṭakarmā — Aniṣṭakarmā; hāleyaḥ — Hāleya; talakaḥ — Talaka; tasya — of him (Hāleya); ca — and; ātma-jaḥ — the son; purīṣabhīruḥ — Purīṣabhīru; tat — of Talaka; putraḥ — the son; tataḥ — then; rājā — the king; sunandanaḥ — Sunandana; cakoraḥ — Cakora; bahavaḥ — the Bahus; yatra — among whom; śivasvātiḥ — Śivasvāti; arimdamaḥ — the subduer of enemies; tasya — of him; api — also; gomatī — Gomatī; putraḥ — the son; purīmān — Purīmān; bhavitā — will be; tataḥ — from him (Gomatī); medaśirāḥ — Medaśirā; śivaskandaḥ — Śivaskanda; yajñaśrīḥ — Yajñaśrī; tat — of Śivaskanda; sutaḥ — the son; tataḥ — then; vijayaḥ — Vijaya; tat-sutaḥ — his son; bhāvyaḥ — will be; candravijñaḥ — Candravijña; sa-lomadhiḥ — along with Lomadhi; ete — these; triṁśat — thirty; nṛ-patayaḥ — kings; catvāri — four; abda-śatāni — centuries; ca — and; ṣaṭ-pañcāsat — fifty-six; ca — and; pṛthivīm — the world; bhokṣyanti — will rule; kuru-nandana — O favorite son of the Kurus.
Translation
The brother of Balī, named Kṛṣṇa, will become the next ruler of the earth. His son will be Śāntakarṇa, and his son will be Paurṇamāsa. The son of Paurṇamāsa will be Lambodara, who will father Mahārāja Cibilaka. From Cibilaka will come Meghasvāti, whose son will be Aṭamāna. The son of Aṭamāna will be Aniṣṭakarmā. His son will be Hāleya, and his son will be Talaka. The son of Talaka will be Purīṣabhīru, and following him Sunandana will become king. Sunandana will be followed by Cakora and the eight Bahus, among whom Śivasvāti will be a great subduer of enemies. The son of Śivasvāti will be Gomatī. His son will be Purīmān, whose son will be Medaśirā. His son will be Śivaskanda, and his son will be Yajñaśrī. The son of Yajñaśrī will be Vijaya, who will have two sons, Candravijña and Lomadhi. These thirty kings will enjoy sovereignty over the earth for a total of 456 years, O favorite son of the Kurus.
Devanagari
सप्ताभीरा आवभृत्या दश गर्दभिनो नृपा: ।
कङ्का: षोडश भूपाला भविष्यन्त्यतिलोलुपा: ॥ २७ ॥
कङ्का: षोडश भूपाला भविष्यन्त्यतिलोलुपा: ॥ २७ ॥
Verse text
saptābhīrā āvabhṛtyā
daśa gardabhino nṛpāḥ
kaṅkāḥ ṣoḍaśa bhū-pālā
bhaviṣyanty ati-lolupāḥ
daśa gardabhino nṛpāḥ
kaṅkāḥ ṣoḍaśa bhū-pālā
bhaviṣyanty ati-lolupāḥ
Synonyms
sapta — seven; ābhīrāḥ — Ābhīras; āvabhṛtyāḥ — of the city of Avabhṛti; daśa — ten; gardabhinaḥ — Gardabhīs; nṛpāḥ — kings; kaṅkāḥ — Kaṅkas; ṣoḍaśa — sixteen; bhū-pālāḥ — rulers of the earth; bhaviṣyanti — will be; ati-lolupāḥ — very greedy.
Translation
Then will follow seven kings of the Ābhīra race from the city of Avabhṛti, and then ten Gardabhīs. After them, sixteen kings of the Kaṅkas will rule and will be known for their excessive greed.
Devanagari
ततोऽष्टौ यवना भाव्याश्चतुर्दश तुरुष्कका: ।
भूयो दश गुरुण्डाश्च मौला एकादशैव तु ॥ २८ ॥
भूयो दश गुरुण्डाश्च मौला एकादशैव तु ॥ २८ ॥
Verse text
tato ’ṣṭau yavanā bhāvyāś
caturdaśa turuṣkakāḥ
bhūyo daśa guruṇḍāś ca
maulā ekādaśaiva tu
caturdaśa turuṣkakāḥ
bhūyo daśa guruṇḍāś ca
maulā ekādaśaiva tu
Synonyms
Translation
Eight Yavanas will then take power, followed by fourteen Turuṣkas, ten Guruṇḍas and eleven kings of the Maula dynasty.
Devanagari
एते भोक्ष्यन्ति पृथिवीं दशवर्षशतानि च ।
नवाधिकां च नवतिं मौला एकादश क्षितिम् ॥ २९ ॥
भोक्ष्यन्त्यब्दशतान्यङ्ग त्रीणि तै: संस्थिते तत: ।
किलकिलायां नृपतयो भूतनन्दोऽथ वङ्गिरि: ॥ ३० ॥
शिशुनन्दिश्च तद्भ्राता यशोनन्दि: प्रवीरक: ।
इत्येते वै वर्षशतं भविष्यन्त्यधिकानि षट् ॥ ३१ ॥
नवाधिकां च नवतिं मौला एकादश क्षितिम् ॥ २९ ॥
भोक्ष्यन्त्यब्दशतान्यङ्ग त्रीणि तै: संस्थिते तत: ।
किलकिलायां नृपतयो भूतनन्दोऽथ वङ्गिरि: ॥ ३० ॥
शिशुनन्दिश्च तद्भ्राता यशोनन्दि: प्रवीरक: ।
इत्येते वै वर्षशतं भविष्यन्त्यधिकानि षट् ॥ ३१ ॥
Verse text
ete bhokṣyanti pṛthivīṁ
daśa varṣa-śatāni ca
navādhikāṁ ca navatiṁ
maulā ekādaśa kṣitim
daśa varṣa-śatāni ca
navādhikāṁ ca navatiṁ
maulā ekādaśa kṣitim
bhokṣyanty abda-śatāny aṅga
trīṇi taiḥ saṁsthite tataḥ
kilakilāyāṁ nṛpatayo
bhūtanando ’tha vaṅgiriḥ
trīṇi taiḥ saṁsthite tataḥ
kilakilāyāṁ nṛpatayo
bhūtanando ’tha vaṅgiriḥ
śiśunandiś ca tad-bhrātā
yaśonandiḥ pravīrakaḥ
ity ete vai varṣa-śataṁ
bhaviṣyanty adhikāni ṣaṭ
yaśonandiḥ pravīrakaḥ
ity ete vai varṣa-śataṁ
bhaviṣyanty adhikāni ṣaṭ
Synonyms
ete — these; bhokṣyanti — will rule; pṛthivīm — the earth; daśa — ten; varṣa-śatāni — centuries; ca — and; nava-adhikām — plus nine; ca — and; navatim — ninety; maulāḥ — the Maulas; ekādaśa — eleven; kṣitim — the world; bhokṣyanti — will rule; abda-śatāni — centuries; aṅga — my dear Parīkṣit; trīṇi — three; taiḥ — they; saṁsthite — when they are all dead; tataḥ — then; kilakilāyām — in the city Kilakilā; nṛ-patayaḥ — kings; bhūtanandaḥ — Bhūtananda; atha — and then; vaṅgiriḥ — Vaṅgiri; śiśunandiḥ — Śiśunandi; ca — and; tat — his; bhrātā — brother; yaśonandiḥ — Yaśonandi; pravīrakaḥ — Pravīraka; iti — thus; ete — these; vai — indeed; varṣa-śatam — one hundred years; bhaviṣyanti — will be; adhikāni — plus; ṣaṭ — six.
Translation
These Ābhīras, Gardabhīs and Kaṅkas will enjoy the earth for 1,099 years, and the Maulas will rule for 300 years. When all of them have died off there will appear in the city of Kilakilā a dynasty of kings consisting of Bhūtananda, Vaṅgiri, Śiśunandi, Śiśunandi’s brother Yaśonandi, and Pravīraka. These kings of Kilakilā will hold sway for a total of 106 years.
Devanagari
तेषां त्रयोदश सुता भवितारश्च बाह्लिका: ।
पुष्पमित्रोऽथ राजन्यो दुर्मित्रोऽस्य तथैव च ॥ ३२ ॥
एककाला इमे भूपा: सप्तान्ध्रा: सप्त कौशला: ।
विदूरपतयो भाव्या निषधास्तत एव हि ॥ ३३ ॥
पुष्पमित्रोऽथ राजन्यो दुर्मित्रोऽस्य तथैव च ॥ ३२ ॥
एककाला इमे भूपा: सप्तान्ध्रा: सप्त कौशला: ।
विदूरपतयो भाव्या निषधास्तत एव हि ॥ ३३ ॥
Verse text
teṣāṁ trayodaśa sutā
bhavitāraś ca bāhlikāḥ
puṣpamitro ’tha rājanyo
durmitro ’sya tathaiva ca
bhavitāraś ca bāhlikāḥ
puṣpamitro ’tha rājanyo
durmitro ’sya tathaiva ca
eka-kālā ime bhū-pāḥ
saptāndhrāḥ sapta kauśalāḥ
vidūra-patayo bhāvyā
niṣadhās tata eva hi
saptāndhrāḥ sapta kauśalāḥ
vidūra-patayo bhāvyā
niṣadhās tata eva hi
Synonyms
teṣām — of them (Bhūtananda and the other kings of the Kilakilā dynasty); trayodaśa — thirteen; sutāḥ — sons; bhavitāraḥ — will be; ca — and; bāhlikāḥ — called the Bāhlikas; puṣpamitraḥ — Puṣpamitra; atha — then; rājanyaḥ — the king; durmitraḥ — Durmitra; asya — his (son); tathā — also; eva — indeed; ca — and; eka-kālāḥ — ruling at the same time; ime — these; bhū-pāḥ — kings; sapta — seven; andhrāḥ — Andhras; sapta — seven; kauśalāḥ — kings of Kauśala-deśa; vidūra-patayaḥ — rulers of Vidūra; bhāvyāḥ — will be; niṣadhāḥ — Niṣadhas; tataḥ — then (after the Bāhlikas); eva hi — indeed.
Translation
The Kilakilās will be followed by their thirteen sons, the Bāhlikas, and after them King Puṣpamitra, his son Durmitra, seven Andhras, seven Kauśalas and also kings of the Vidūra and Niṣadha provinces will separately rule in different parts of the world.
Devanagari
मागधानां तु भविता विश्वस्फूर्जि: पुरञ्जय: ।
करिष्यत्यपरो वर्णान् पुलिन्दयदुमद्रकान् ॥ ३४ ॥
करिष्यत्यपरो वर्णान् पुलिन्दयदुमद्रकान् ॥ ३४ ॥
Verse text
māgadhānāṁ tu bhavitā
viśvasphūrjiḥ purañjayaḥ
kariṣyaty aparo varṇān
pulinda-yadu-madrakān
viśvasphūrjiḥ purañjayaḥ
kariṣyaty aparo varṇān
pulinda-yadu-madrakān
Synonyms
māgadhānām — of the Magadha province; tu — and; bhavitā — there will be; viśvasphūrjiḥ — Viśvasphūrji; purañjayaḥ — King Purañjaya; kariṣyati — he will make; aparaḥ — being the replica of; varṇān — all the civilized classes of men; pulinda-yadu-madrakān — into outcastes such as the Pulindas, Yadus and Madrakas.
Translation
There will then appear a king of the Māgadhas named Viśvasphūrji, who will be like another Purañjaya. He will turn all the civilized classes into low-class, uncivilized men in the same category as the Pulindas, Yadus and Madrakas.
Devanagari
प्रजाश्चाब्रह्मभूयिष्ठा: स्थापयिष्यति दुर्मति: ।
वीर्यवान् क्षत्रमुत्साद्य पद्मवत्यां स वै पुरि ।
अनुगङ्गमाप्रयागं गुप्तां भोक्ष्यति मेदिनीम् ॥ ३५ ॥
वीर्यवान् क्षत्रमुत्साद्य पद्मवत्यां स वै पुरि ।
अनुगङ्गमाप्रयागं गुप्तां भोक्ष्यति मेदिनीम् ॥ ३५ ॥
Verse text
prajāś cābrahma-bhūyiṣṭhāḥ
sthāpayiṣyati durmatiḥ
vīryavān kṣatram utsādya
padmavatyāṁ sa vai puri
anu-gaṅgam ā-prayāgaṁ
guptāṁ bhokṣyati medinīm
sthāpayiṣyati durmatiḥ
vīryavān kṣatram utsādya
padmavatyāṁ sa vai puri
anu-gaṅgam ā-prayāgaṁ
guptāṁ bhokṣyati medinīm
Synonyms
prajāḥ — the citizens; ca — and; abrahma — unbrahminical; bhūyiṣṭhāḥ — predominantly; sthāpayiṣyati — he will make; durmatiḥ — the unintelligent (Viśvasphūrji); vīrya-vān — powerful; kṣatram — the kṣatriya class; utsādya — destroying; padmavatyām — in Padmavatī; saḥ — he; vai — indeed; puri — in the city; anu-gaṅgam — from Gaṅgādvārā (Hardwar); ā-prayāgam — to Prayāga; guptām — protected; bhokṣyati — he will rule; medinīm — the earth.
Translation
Foolish King Viśvasphūrji will maintain all the citizens in ungodliness and will use his power to completely disrupt the kṣatriya order. From his capital of Padmavatī he will rule that part of the earth extending from the source of the Gaṅgā to Prayāga.
Devanagari
सौराष्ट्रावन्त्याभीराश्च शूरा अर्बुदमालवा: ।
व्रात्या द्विजा भविष्यन्ति शूद्रप्राया जनाधिपा: ॥ ३६ ॥
व्रात्या द्विजा भविष्यन्ति शूद्रप्राया जनाधिपा: ॥ ३६ ॥
Verse text
saurāṣṭrāvanty-ābhīrāś ca
śūrā arbuda-mālavāḥ
vrātyā dvijā bhaviṣyanti
śūdra-prāyā janādhipāḥ
śūrā arbuda-mālavāḥ
vrātyā dvijā bhaviṣyanti
śūdra-prāyā janādhipāḥ
Synonyms
śaurāṣṭra — residing in Śaurāṣṭra; avantī — in Avantī; ābhīrāḥ — and in Ābhīra; ca — and; śūrāḥ — residing in the Śūra province; arbuda-mālavāḥ — residing in Arbuda and Mālava; vrātyāḥ — deviated from all purificatory rituals; dvijāḥ — the brāhmaṇas; bhaviṣyanti — will become; śūdra-prāyāḥ — no better than śūdras; jana-adhipāḥ — the kings.
Translation
At that time the brāhmaṇas of such provinces as Śaurāṣṭra, Avantī, Ābhīra, Śūra, Arbuda and Mālava will forget all their regulative principles, and the members of the royal order in these places will become no better than śūdras.
Devanagari
सिन्धोस्तटं चन्द्रभागां कौन्तीं काश्मीरमण्डलम् ।
भोक्ष्यन्ति शूद्रा व्रात्याद्या म्लेच्छाश्चाब्रह्मवर्चस: ॥ ३७ ॥
भोक्ष्यन्ति शूद्रा व्रात्याद्या म्लेच्छाश्चाब्रह्मवर्चस: ॥ ३७ ॥
Verse text
sindhos taṭaṁ candrabhāgāṁ
kauntīṁ kāśmīra-maṇḍalam
bhokṣyanti śūdrā vrātyādyā
mlecchāś cābrahma-varcasaḥ
kauntīṁ kāśmīra-maṇḍalam
bhokṣyanti śūdrā vrātyādyā
mlecchāś cābrahma-varcasaḥ
Synonyms
sindhoḥ — of the river Sindhu; taṭam — the land on the shore; candrabhāgām — Candrabhāgā; kauntīm — Kauntī; kāśmīra-maṇḍalam — the region of Kāśmīra; bhokṣyanti — will rule; śūdrāḥ — śūdras; vrātya-ādyāḥ — brāhmaṇas who have fallen from the brahminical standard, and other disqualified men; mlecchāḥ — meat-eaters; ca — and; abrahma-varcasaḥ — lacking spiritual potency.
Translation
The land along the Sindhu River, as well as the districts of Candrabhāgā, Kauntī and Kāśmīra, will be ruled by śūdras, fallen brāhmaṇas and meat-eaters. Having given up the path of Vedic civilization, they will have lost all spiritual strength.
Devanagari
तुल्यकाला इमे राजन् म्लेच्छप्रायाश्च भूभृत: ।
एतेऽधर्मानृतपरा: फल्गुदास्तीव्रमन्यव: ॥ ३८ ॥
एतेऽधर्मानृतपरा: फल्गुदास्तीव्रमन्यव: ॥ ३८ ॥
Verse text
tulya-kālā ime rājan
mleccha-prāyāś ca bhū-bhṛtaḥ
ete ’dharmānṛta-parāḥ
phalgu-dās tīvra-manyavaḥ
mleccha-prāyāś ca bhū-bhṛtaḥ
ete ’dharmānṛta-parāḥ
phalgu-dās tīvra-manyavaḥ
Synonyms
tulya-kālāḥ — ruling at the same time; ime — these; rājan — O King Parīkṣit; mleccha-prāyāḥ — mostly outcastes; ca — and; bhū-bhṛtaḥ — kings; ete — these; adharma — to irreligion; anṛta — and untruthfulness; parāḥ — dedicated; phalgu-dāḥ — giving little benefit to their subjects; tīvra — fierce; manyavaḥ — their anger.
Translation
There will be many such uncivilized kings ruling at the same time, O King Parīkṣit, and they will all be uncharitable, possessed of fierce tempers, and great devotees of irreligion and falsity.
Devanagari
स्त्रीबालगोद्विजघ्नाश्च परदारधनादृता: ।
उदितास्तमितप्राया अल्पसत्त्वाल्पकायुष: ॥ ३९ ॥
असंस्कृता: क्रियाहीना रजसा तमसावृता: ।
प्रजास्ते भक्षयिष्यन्ति म्लेच्छा राजन्यरूपिण: ॥ ४० ॥
उदितास्तमितप्राया अल्पसत्त्वाल्पकायुष: ॥ ३९ ॥
असंस्कृता: क्रियाहीना रजसा तमसावृता: ।
प्रजास्ते भक्षयिष्यन्ति म्लेच्छा राजन्यरूपिण: ॥ ४० ॥
Verse text
strī-bāla-go-dvija-ghnāś ca
para-dāra-dhanādṛtāḥ
uditāsta-mita-prāyā
alpa-sattvālpakāyuṣaḥ
para-dāra-dhanādṛtāḥ
uditāsta-mita-prāyā
alpa-sattvālpakāyuṣaḥ
asaṁskṛtāḥ kriyā-hīnā
rajasā tamasāvṛtāḥ
prajās te bhakṣayiṣyanti
mlecchā rājanya-rūpiṇaḥ
rajasā tamasāvṛtāḥ
prajās te bhakṣayiṣyanti
mlecchā rājanya-rūpiṇaḥ
Synonyms
strī — of women; bāla — children; go — cows; dvija — and brāhmaṇas; ghnāḥ — the murderers; ca — and; para — of other men; dāra — the wives; dhana — and money; ādṛtāḥ — showing interest in; udita-asta-mita — switching their moods from elated to depressed and then to moderate; prāyāḥ — for the most part; alpa-sattva — having little strength; alpaka-āyuṣaḥ — and short life spans; asaṁskṛtāḥ — not purified by Vedic rituals; kriyā-hīnāḥ — devoid of regulative principles; rajasā — by the mode of passion; tamasā — and by the mode of ignorance; āvṛtāḥ — covered over; prajāḥ — the citizens; te — they; bhakṣayiṣyanti — will virtually devour; mlecchāḥ — outcastes; rājanya-rūpiṇaḥ — appearing as kings.
Translation
These barbarians in the guise of kings will devour the citizenry, murdering innocent women, children, cows and brāhmaṇas and coveting the wives and property of other men. They will be erratic in their moods, have little strength of character and be very short-lived. Indeed, not purified by any Vedic rituals and lacking in the practice of regulative principles, they will be completely covered by the modes of passion and ignorance.
Purport
These verses give a concise, accurate description of the fallen leaders of this age.
Devanagari
तन्नाथास्ते जनपदास्तच्छीलाचारवादिन: ।
अन्योन्यतो राजभिश्च क्षयं यास्यन्ति पीडिता: ॥ ४१ ॥
अन्योन्यतो राजभिश्च क्षयं यास्यन्ति पीडिता: ॥ ४१ ॥
Verse text
tan-nāthās te janapadās
tac-chīlācāra-vādinaḥ
anyonyato rājabhiś ca
kṣayaṁ yāsyanti pīḍitāḥ
tac-chīlācāra-vādinaḥ
anyonyato rājabhiś ca
kṣayaṁ yāsyanti pīḍitāḥ
Synonyms
tat-nāthāḥ — the subjects having these kings as rulers; te — they; jana-padāḥ — the residents of the cities; tat — of these kings; śīla — (imitating) the character; ācāra — behavior; vādinaḥ — and speech; anyonyataḥ — one another; rājabhiḥ — by the kings; ca — and; kṣayam yāsyanti — they will become ruined; pīḍitāḥ — tormented.
Translation
The citizens governed by these low-class kings will imitate the character, behavior and speech of their rulers. Harassed by their leaders and by each other, they will all suffer ruination.
Purport
At the end of the Ninth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, it is stated that Ripuñjaya, or Purañjaya, the first king mentioned in this chapter, ended his rule about one thousand years after the time of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Since Lord Kṛṣṇa appeared approximately five thousand years ago, Purañjaya must have appeared about four thousand years ago. That would mean that Viśvasphūrji, the last king mentioned, would have appeared approximately in the twelfth century of the Christian era.
Modern Western scholars have made the false accusation that Indian religious literature has no sense of chronological history. But the elaborate historical chronology described in this chapter certainly refutes that naive assessment.
Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Twelfth Canto, First Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Degraded Dynasties of Kali-yuga.”