rule


 

 

Canto 12

Prabhupâda Pranâti

 

Chapter 2: Despair and Hope in the Age of Quarrel

(1) S'rî S'uka said: 'And then, o King, day after day under the strong influence of the time [of Kali-yuga] the religiousness, truthfulness, cleanliness, tolerance and mercy as well as the duration of life, the strength and the memory will diminish [see also 1.16]. (2) In the age of Kali among man wealth alone will be the sign of a good birth, behavior and qualities and material power will be the only criterion in determining what would be just and right. (3) Marital relations will be based upon outer appearances, in business deceit will be the standard, whether one is considered manly or feminine will depend on one's sexuality and a sacred thread will suffice to be considered learned. (4) An outer mark will be enough to determine a person's spiritual status and will also suffice for changing one's confession, making little money one looses one's credibility and a little word jugglery is enough to be considered a scholar. (5) Poverty is taken for something unholy and hypocrisy is considered a virtue; a promise is enough to be married [to have premarital sex] and to take a bath [without any other morning routine] is enough to appear for the day. (6) A reservoir of water somewhere far away is considered a holy place, beauty depends on one's coiffure, life's purpose is to fill one's belly, audacity is considered truthfulness, able to maintain a family one is an expert and religious service is attended for one's reputation. (7) With the earth overpopulated with a populace thus corrupted, anyone among the intellectuals, the merchants or the ruling or working class who is the strongest, will be the King of the Hill. (8) The citizens whose wives and property is stolen by a merciless and avaricious ruling class behaving like ordinary thieves, will flee to the mountains and the forests. (9) Resorting to the consumption of vegetables, roots, meat, honey, fruits, flowers and seeds they will be ruined, suffering draught, tormented by famine and taxes [see also 1.16: 20, 4.20: 14, 4.21: 24, B.G. 3: 14]. (10) By cold, wind, heat, rain and snow plagued as well as by hunger, thirst and diseases, they suffer as a consequence a great deal of distress and anxiety. (11) The maximum duration of life for human beings in Kali-yuga will be fifty years. (12-16) When the bodies of all living entities by the contamination of Kali-yuga are in decay and the dutifulness of the members of all status-orientations is lost, when the vedic path fit for all man has changed into an atheistic conception of duty, when the kings predominantly act as thieves and men in their various occupations in truth are all lying bandits of meaningless slaughter, when the classes are predominantly [profit-]labor-minded, the cows are no better than goats, the hermitages are just like materialistic homes, family ties do not reach further than the bonds of marriage, when the plants and herbs have reduced in size and all trees are like s'amî trees, when there is always lightning in the clouds and the homes are ruled by loneliness [voidism, impersonalism, see Pranâti], when Kali-yuga is running at its end and the people have become like asses, the Supreme Lord will descend in the mode of pure goodness to defend the dharma.

(17) The spiritual master of all the moving and nonmoving beings, Lord Vishnu, the Controller of All, will for the protection of the religion and the saintly put an end to the fruitive activities and the [repeatedly] being born. (18) In the village of S'ambhala Lord Kalki will appear in the home of the great soul, the brahmin Vishnuyas'â ['the glory of Vishnu']. (19-20) Mounting His swift horse Devadatta, the Lord of the Universe endowed with His sword, transcendental qualities and the eight mystic opulences [siddhis], will subdue the ones who turned away from the holy. On His horse moving with speed about the earth He, unrivaled in His splendor, will slaughter the thieves disguised in the garb of kings. (21) When all the robbers have been killed, the minds of all the citizens and the people living in the countryside will clear up being touched by the breeze which carries the most sacred fragrance of the [with sandalwood paste] decorated body of Lord Vâsudeva. (22) When Vâsudeva, the Supreme Lord, is situated in their hearts in His transcendental form of goodness, the culture of their progeny will flourish as never before. (23) When the Supreme Lord Kalki, the Lord and Master of Dharma, incarnates, will Satya-yuga and the creation of progeny in the mode of goodness begin [see yuga]. (24) When the moon and the sun together with Jupiter [Bhrihaspatî] in the same constellation [of Karkatha or Cancer] enter the lunar mansion of Tishyâ [or Pushyâ, 3° 20´ to 16° 40´ see zodiac] that very moment Satya-yuga - or Krita - will begin.

(25) Thus I have briefly described all the kings of the past, the present and the future who belong to the solar and lunar dynasties [see also vams'a]. (26) Beginning from the birth of your good self up until the coronation of king Nanda [see 12.1: 12] eleven hundred and fifty years will pass [*]. (27-28) When the constellation of the seven sages (Ursa Major, the Great Bear) rises are the first two of them (Pulaha and Kratu) seen in the sky, in between them on the same line [northwest] in the night sky is their [ruling] lunar mansion seen. The sages [the stars] connected remain with that lunar mansion for a hundred human years. Now, in your time, are the twice-born situated in the nakshatra called Maghâ. (29) With Vishnu, the Supreme Lord, the sun known as Krishna having returned to heaven, this world has entered the age of Kali in which people delight in sin. (30) For as long as He, the Husband of Ramâ, touched the earth with His lotus feet, Kali couldn't really take possession of her. (31) When the [constellation of the] seven sages among the gods enter[s] Maghâ, Kali-yuga begins. That period covers twelve hundred [godly] years [or 432.000 human years, see also kâla]. (32) When the seven sages pass from Maghâ to the lunar mansion of Pûrvâsâdhâ, will from the time of [Mahâpadma] Nanda and his descendants on, this age of Kali gain its full strength. (33) The historians say that the day that S'rî Krishna left for the spiritual abode, the age of Kali commenced. (34) At the end of the thousand celestial years of the fourth [Kali-] age, will Krita-yuga start again, the time when the minds of man are self-luminous.

(35) Thus has this dynasty from [Vaivasvata] Manu been enumerated as it descended on earth; and also the positions from age to age of the learned, the traders and the workers may be understood the same way. (36) Of these personalities, these great souls, one only remembers their names; all that remains of their glory on this earth are their stories. (37) Devâpi, the brother of S'ântanu [9.22: 12-17] and Maru [9.12: 5-6] who took birth in the Ikshvâku dynasty, both live in Kalâpa, endowed with great mystic power. (38) They will at the end of the age of Kali return to the human society and, deriving from the instructions they received from Vâsudeva, as previously promulgate the varnâs'rama-dharma. (39) The four ages of Krita, Tretâ, Dvâpara and Kali that the living beings undergo in this world continuously repeat themselves in this sequential order [see also mahâyuga]. (40) O King, these kings, these gods among man and the others I have described who arriving on this earth exert their possessiveness, in the end all have to forsake this world and face their destruction. (41) Even if someone's body carries the name of king it is nevertheless destined to end as stool, ashes or food for the worms. For the sake of that body he was of enmity towards other living beings and for that reason he ends up in hell. How can one possibly say of such a person that he knows what is good for him [compare 6.18: 35, 7.15: 37, 10.10: 10, 10.51: 50]? (42) [A king may think:] 'How can this same undivided earth held by the personalities of my predecessors and now under my sway, be of my son, grandson or other descendant?' (43) When one accepts this body that is composed of earth, water and fire, with a notion of 'I' and when one says 'mine' to this earth, one lacks in intelligence, because one in the end reaching one's own absence has to forsake this body as well as this earth [see also 4.9: 34-35]. (44) Whatever that kings may enjoy in the world with all their power, is by Time all turned into accounts and histories only [compare with 2.9: 33, 5.19: 28, 11.19: 16, 11.28: 21].'

 

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Second edition, loaded September 24, 2009  

 

 

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

 

Text 1

S'rî S'uka said: 'And then, o King, day after day under the strong influence of the time [of Kali-yuga] the religiousness, truthfulness, cleanliness, tolerance and mercy as well as the duration of life, the strength and the memory will diminish [see also 1.16].

S'rî S'uka said: 'And then, o King, will day after day under the strong influence of the time [of Kali-yuga] the religiousness, truthfulness, cleanliness, tolerance and mercy as well as the duration of life, the strength and the memory become ruined [see also 1.16]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2

In the age of Kali among man wealth alone will be the sign of a good birth, behavior and qualities and material power will be the only criterion in determining what would be just and right.

In the age of Kali will among men wealth alone be the sign of a good birth, behavior and qualities and will might be the only criterion in determining what would be just and right. (Vedabase)

  

Text 3

Marital relations will be based upon outer appearances, in business deceit will be the standard, whether one is considered manly or feminine will depend on one's sexuality and a sacred thread will suffice to be considered learned.

Marital relations will be based on superficial attraction, in business will deceit be the norm, to be a man or woman will depend on one's sexuality and a sacred thread [a 'diploma'] is then enough to call someone learned. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 4

An outer mark will be enough to determine a person's spiritual status and will also suffice for changing one's confession, making little money one looses one's credibility and a little word jugglery is enough to be considered a scholar.

An outer mark will suffice to make out a person's spiritual status and it'll also be enough reason for switching between positions; not making so much money one looses credibility and being handy with words is one [supposedly] of scholarship. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 5

Poverty is taken for something unholy and hypocrisy is considered a virtue; a promise is enough to be married [to have premarital sex] and to take a bath [without any other morning routine] is enough to appear for the day.

Poverty is simply held unholy and hypocrisy is held a virtue; a promise is considered enough to be married [to have premarital sex] and to take a bath [without any other morning routine] is enough to appear for the day. (Vedabase)

 

Text 6

A reservoir of water somewhere far away is considered a holy place, beauty depends on one's coiffure, life's purpose is to fill one's belly, audacity is considered truthfulness, able to maintain a family one is an expert and religious service is attended for one's reputation.

A reservoir of water somewhere far away is considered a holy place, beauty depends on one's coiffure, life's purpose is to fill one's belly, audacity is considered truthfulness, being able to maintain a family is one an expert and serving religiously one does for a good name. (Vedabase)

 

Text 7

With the earth overpopulated with a populace thus corrupted, anyone among the intellectuals, the merchants or the ruling or working class who is the strongest, will be the King of the Hill.

With the globe of the earth crowded by a populace corrupted this way, will whoever among the intellectuals, the merchants or the ruling or working class is the strongest, be the king of the hill. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 8

The citizens whose wives and property is stolen by a merciless and avaricious ruling class behaving like ordinary thieves, will flee to the mountains and the forests.

The citizens, with their wives and property stolen away by the merciless and avaricious ruling class acting to the nature of ordinary thieves, will flee to the mountains and the forests. (Vedabase)

  

 Text 9

Resorting to the consumption of vegetables, roots, meat, honey, fruits, flowers and seeds they will be ruined, suffering draught, tormented by famine and taxes [see also 1.16: 20, 4.20: 14, 4.21: 24, B.G. 3: 14].

With the consumption of vegetables, roots, meat, honey, fruits, flowers and seeds will they, suffering draught, be ruined, tormented by famine and taxes [see also 1.6: 20, 4.20: 14, 4.21: 24, B.G. 3: 14]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 10

By cold, wind, heat, rain and snow plagued as well as by hunger, thirst and diseases, they suffer as a consequence a great deal of distress and anxiety.

By cold, wind, heat, rain and snow plagued as well as by hunger, thirst and diseases, suffer they as a consequence great distress and anxiety. (Vedabase)

 

Text 11

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

The maximum duration of life for human beings in Kali-yuga will be fifty years. (Vedabase)

 

Text 12-16

When the bodies of all living entities by the contamination of Kali-yuga are in decay and the dutifulness of the members of all status-orientations is lost, when the vedic path fit for all man has changed into an atheistic conception of duty, when the kings predominantly act as thieves and men in their various occupations in truth are all lying bandits of meaningless slaughter, when the classes are predominantly [profit-]labor-minded, the cows are no better than goats, the hermitages are just like materialistic homes, family ties do not reach further than the bonds of marriage, when the plants and herbs have reduced in size and all trees are like s'amî trees, when there is always lightning in the clouds and the homes are ruled by loneliness [voidism, impersonalism, see Pranâti], when Kali-yuga is running at its end and the people have become like asses, the Supreme Lord will descend in the mode of pure goodness to defend the dharma.

When the bodies of all living entities by the contamination of Kali-yuga are in decay; the dutifulness of the members of all status-orientations is lost; with the vedic path there for all men changed into an atheistic conception of duty; when the kings predominantly act as thieves and men in their various occupations in truth are all lying bandits of meaningless slaughter; when the classes are predominantly [profit-]labor-minded; the cows are no better than goats; the hermitages are just like materialistic homes; family ties extend no further than the bonds of marriage; when the plants and herbs have reduced in size and all trees are like s'amî-trees, when there is always lightning in the clouds and the homes are ruled by loneliness [voidism, impersonalism, see pranâti]; when Kali-yuga is running at its end and the people have become like asses, will the Supreme Lord descend in the mode of pure goodness to protect the dharma. (Vedabase)

 

Text 17

The spiritual master of all the moving and nonmoving beings, Lord Vishnu, the Controller of All, will for the protection of the religion and the saintly put an end to the fruitive activities and the [repeatedly] being born.

The spiritual master of all the moving and nonmoving beings, Lord Vishnu, the Controller of All, will for the protection of the religion and the saintly put an end to the fruitive activities and the being born [repeatedly]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 18

In the village of S'ambhala Lord Kalki will appear in the home of the great soul, the brahmin Vishnuyas'â ['the glory of Vishnu'].

In the village of S'ambhala will Lord Kalki appear in the home of the great soul, the brahmin Vishnuyas'â ['the glory of Vishnu']. (Vedabase)

 

Text 19-20

Mounting His swift horse Devadatta, the Lord of the Universe endowed with His sword, transcendental qualities and the eight mystic opulences [siddhis], will subdue the ones who turned away from the holy. On His horse moving with speed about the earth He, unrivaled in His splendor, will slaughter the thieves disguised in the garb of kings.

Mounting His swift-riding horse Devadatta, will the Lord of the Universe with His sword, transcendental qualities and endowed with the eight mystic opulences [siddhis], subdue the unholy. With His horse moving fast about the earth will He, unrivaled in His splendor, slaughter the thieves disguised in the grab of kings. (Vedabase)

    

Text 21

When all the robbers have been killed, the minds of all the citizens and the people living in the countryside will clear up being touched by the breeze which carries the most sacred fragrance of the [with sandalwood paste] decorated body of Lord Vâsudeva.

When all the robbers have been killed, will the minds clear up of all the city-people and country folk that were touched by the breeze carrying the most sacred fragrance of the [with sandalwood paste] decorated body of Lord Vâsudeva. (Vedabase)

 

Text 22

When Vâsudeva, the Supreme Lord, is situated in their hearts in His transcendental form of goodness, the culture of their progeny will flourish as never before.

When Vâsudeva the Supreme Lord is situated in their hearts in His transcendental form of goodness, will the culture of their progeny flourish as never. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 23

When the Supreme Lord Kalki, the Lord and Master of Dharma, incarnates, will Satya-yuga and the creation of progeny in the mode of goodness begin [see yuga].

When the Supreme Lord Kalki, the Lord and Master of Dharma, incarnates, will Satya-yuga and the creation of progeny in the mode of goodness begin [see yuga]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 24

When the moon and the sun together with Jupiter [Bhrihaspatî] in the same constellation [of Karkatha or Cancer] enter the lunar mansion of Tishyâ [or Pushyâ, 3° 20´ to 16° 40´ see zodiac] that very moment Satya-yuga - or Krita - will begin.

When the moon and the sun to the lunar mansion of Tishyâ [or Pushyâ, viz. Cancer 3° 20´ to 16° 40´ see zodiac] simultaneously rise with Jupiter [Bhrihaspatî] in the same constellation, will at that time Krita- or Sathya-yuga begin. (Vedabase)

 

Text 25

Thus I have briefly described all the kings of the past, the present and the future who belong to the solar and lunar dynasties [see also vams'a].

Thus have I briefly described all the kings of the past, the present and the future who belong to the solar and lunar dynasties [zie ook vams'a]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 26

Beginning from the birth of your good self up until the coronation of king Nanda [see 12.1: 12] eleven hundred and fifty years will pass [*].

=Beginning from the birth of your good self up until the coronation of king Nanda [see 12.1: 12] will eleven hundred and fifty years pass (*). (Vedabase)

 

Text 27-28

When the constellation of the seven sages (Ursa Major, the Great Bear) rises are the first two of them (Pulaha and Kratu) seen in the sky, in between them on the same line [northwest] in the night sky is their [ruling] lunar mansion seen. The sages [the stars] connected remain with that lunar mansion for a hundred human years. Now, in your time, are the twice-born situated in the nakshatra called Maghâ.

When the constellation of the seven sages (Ursa Major, the Great Bear) rises are the first two of them (Pulaha and Kratu) seen in the sky; in between them on the same line [northwest] in the night sky is their [ruling] lunar mansion seen. The sages [the stars] connected remain with that lunar mansion for a hundred human years. Now, in your time, are the twice-born situated in the nakshatra called Maghâ. (Vedabase)

 

Text 29

With Vishnu, the Supreme Lord, the sun known as Krishna having returned to heaven, this world has entered the age of Kali in which people delight in sin.

With Vishnu, the Supreme Lord, He, the sun known as Krishna having returned to heaven, entered this world the age of Kali in which people delight in sin. (Vedabase)

 

Text 30

For as long as He, the Husband of Ramâ, touched the earth with His lotus feet, Kali couldn't really take possession of her.

As long as He, the Husband of Ramâ, remained touching [her] with His Lotusfeet, wasn't Kali really able to overtake the earth. (Vedabase)

 

Text 31

When the [constellation of the] seven sages among the gods enter[s] Maghâ, Kali-yuga begins. That period covers twelve hundred [godly] years [or 432.000 human years, see also kâla].

The time when the seven sages among the gods run in Maghâ is when Kali-yuga begins and it lasts for twelve hundred [godly] years [or 432.000 human years, see also kâla]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 32

When the seven sages pass from Maghâ to the lunar mansion of Pûrvâsâdhâ, will from the time of [Mahâpadma] Nanda and his descendants on, this age of Kali gain its full strength.

When the seven sages from Maghâ pass to the lunar mansion of Pûrvâsâdhâ, will at that time, beginning with Nanda and his descendants, this age of Kali have reached its full strength. (Vedabase)

 

Text 33

The historians say that the day that S'rî Krishna left for the spiritual abode, the age of Kali commenced.

The experts of the past say that the day that S'rî Krishna left for the spiritual realm thus the age of Kali was obtained. (Vedabase)

 

Text 34

At the end of the thousand celestial years of the fourth [Kali-] age, will Krita-yuga start again, the time when the minds of man are self-luminous.

At the end of the thousand celestial years of the fourth [Kali-] age, will Krita-yuga start again, the time when the minds of men are self-luminous. (Vedabase)

 

Text 35

Thus has this dynasty from [Vaivasvata] Manu been enumerated as it descended on earth; and also the positions from age to age of the learned, the traders and the workers may be understood the same way.

Thus has this dynasty from [Vaivasvata] Manu been enumerated as it descended on earth; the situations age by age of the learned, the traders and the workers can be known the same way. (Vedabase)

 

Text 36

Of these personalities, these great souls, one only remembers their names; all that remains of their glory on this earth are their stories.

Of these personalities, these great souls, one remembers just their names; on this earth present by their glories are it only the stories that remain of them. (Vedabase)

 

Text 37

Devâpi, the brother of S'ântanu [9.22: 12-17] and Maru [9.12: 5-6] who took birth in the Ikshvâku dynasty, both live in Kalâpa, endowed with great mystic power.

Devâpi, the brother of S'ântanu [9.22: 12-17] and Maru [9.12: 5-6] born in the Ikshvâku dynasty, both are living in Kalâpa, endowed with great mystic power. (Vedabase)

 

Text 38

They will at the end of the age of Kali return to the human society and, deriving from the instructions they received from Vâsudeva, as previously promulgate the varnâs'rama-dharma.

They will at the end of Kali return to the human society and, instructed by Vâsudeva, as previously promulgate the varnâs'rama-dharma. (Vedabase)

 

Text 39

The four ages of Krita, Tretâ, Dvâpara and Kali that the living beings undergo in this world continuously repeat themselves in this sequential order [see also mahâyuga].

The four ages of Krita, Tretâ, Dvâpara and Kali go on [cycling] continuously in this sequential order among the living beings in this world [see also mahâyuga]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 40

O King, these kings, these gods among man and the others I have described who arriving on this earth exert their possessiveness, in the end all have to forsake this world and face their destruction.

O King, these kings, these gods among men, and others described by me, on earth exerting their possessiveness, in the end giving up this world all met destruction. (Vedabase)

 

Text 41

Even if someone's body carries the name of king it is nevertheless destined to end as stool, ashes or food for the worms. For the sake of that body he was of enmity towards other living beings and for that reason he ends up in hell. How can one possibly say of such a person that he knows what is good for him [compare 6.18: 35, 7.15: 37, 10.10: 10, 10.51: 50]?

When, even though of living beings being an enemy, that what goes by the name of king, in the end is of worms, stool and ashes, then what does he, being so for the sake of the body and thereof suffering hell, know of his own best interest [compare 6.18: 35, 7.15: 37, 10.10: 10, 10.51: 50]? (Vedabase)

 

Text 42

[A king may think:] 'How can this same undivided earth held by the personalities of my predecessors and now under my sway, be of my son, grandson or other descendant?'

[A king may think:] 'How can this same undivided earth held by the personalities of my predecessors and now under my sway, be of my son, grandson or other descendant?' (Vedabase)

 

Text 43

When one accepts this body that is composed of earth, water and fire, with a notion of 'I' and when one says 'mine' to this earth, one lacks in intelligence, because one in the end reaching one's own absence has to forsake this body as well as this earth [see also 4.9: 34-35].

Missing the intelligence accepting with a sense of 'I' this body composed of water, earth and fire and with a sense of 'mine' this earth, must, [by the earthly ruler] reaching his own absence, ultimately both be given up [see also 4.9: 34-35]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 44

Whatever that kings may enjoy in the world with all their power, is by Time all turned into accounts and histories only [compare with 2.9: 33, 5.19: 28, 11.19: 16, 11.28: 21].'

Whatever that kings enjoy in the world with their power, has by the Time been turned into mere accounts and histories [compare with 2.9: 33, 5.19: 28, 11.19: 16, 11.28: 21]. (Vedabase)

 

* From this statement can be derived, that the Candragupta that after Nanda by Cânakya was put on the throne must have been another Candragupta than the one who 1500 years later supposedly defeated Alexander the Great in the fourth century B.C. The paramparâ adds to the discrepancy of three centuries further: 'Although S'ukadeva Gosvâmî previously described approximately fifteen hundred years of royal dynasties, it is understood that some overlapping occurred between kings.'

 

 

 

 

For this original translation was used the Vedabase of the BBT offering the work
that Svâmi Prabhupâda's pupils did to complete his translation of the Bhâgavatam.
See the
S'rîmad Bhâgavatam links-page.
The picture of the avatar Kalki is a detail of a scrollpainting called 'Dasavatar',
Andhra Pradesh, 19th century. India.
Source: V&A museum (
Wikimedia).
Production:
Filognostic Association of The Order of Time..


 

 

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