rule



 

 

Canto 12

Prabhupāda Pranāti

 



Chapter 2: Despair and Hope in the Age of Quarrel

(1) S'rī S'uka said: 'And then, oh King, under the strong influence of the time [of Kali-yuga] religiousness, truthfulness, cleanliness, tolerance and mercy, as also the quality of life, physical strength and memory, will diminish day after day [see also 1.16]. (2) Among the people of the age of Kali all one attains by good birth, behavior and qualities will be wealth, while material power will be the only factor determining what is just and reasonable. (3) Relations between men and women will be based upon sensual pleasure, business will be ruled by deceit, masculinity and femininity are there for sexual attraction, and a sacred thread will suffice to be considered learned. (4) Spiritual status and one's progress in this respect will be determined by outer marks only, one is considered questionable when one lacks in funds, while scholarship will consist of word jugglery. (5) Poverty will simply be considered a lack of virtue, while the standard of virtue will be hypocrisy and deceit. Verbal agreement is enough to be married and a bath suffices to start the day. (6) A holy place is a reservoir of water somewhere far away, beauty depends on one's hair style, life's purpose is to fill one's belly, someone audacious is considered truthful, when one can maintain a family one is an expert, and religious principles are observed for the sake of one's reputation. (7) With the earth being crowded with a populace thus corrupted, anyone who is the strongest among the intellectuals, the rulers, the merchants and the working class, will be called the king [or president]. (8) The citizens, whose wives and property are stolen by a merciless and avaricious ruling class behaving like ordinary thieves, will flee to the mountains and the forests. (9) Plagued by draughts, famine and taxation, they will be ruined and resort to the consumption of leaves, roots, meat, honey, fruits, flowers and seeds [see also 1.16: 20, 4.20: 14, 4.21: 24, B.G. 3: 14]. (10) Heavily burdened by cold, wind, heat, rain and snow, as also by quarrels, hunger, thirst and diseases, they suffer a great deal of distress and anxiety. (11) In Kali-yuga men for no more than fifty years can enjoy a decent quality of [family] life. (12-16) When the bodies of all living entities are in decay from the contamination of Kali-yuga, when the dutifulness of the members of all status-orientations is lost, when the Vedic path for all man has changed into a predominantly atheistic sense of duty, when the kings [or governors] mainly consist of thieves, and the people in their various occupations are lying criminals of useless violence [against specially animals], when the societal classes as good as all are engaged in profit-minded labor, cows have the same value as goats, the hermitages hardly can be distinguished from materialistic households, family bonds do not reach beyond the ties of marriage, when the plants and herbs are mostly small sized and all trees are like s'amī trees, when there is always lightning in the clouds and the homes are ruled by loneliness [voidism and impersonalism, see Pranāti], when Kali-yuga is running at its end and the people behave 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 living beings, Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Personality and Controller of All, takes birth for the protection of the religion and to put an end to the karma of the saintly souls. (18) In the village of S'ambhala Lord Kalki will appear in the home of the great soul, the eminent brahmin Vishnuyas'ā ['the glory of Vishnu']. (19-20) Mounting His swift horse Devadatta, the Lord of the Universe endowed with His sword, transcendental qualities and eight mystic opulences [siddhis], will subdue the reprobates. With speed traveling the earth on His horse He, unrivaled in His splendor, will slaughter the thieves dressing as kings by the millions. (21) When all the robbers have been killed, the minds of all the residents of the towns and cities will clear up who came in touch with the breeze carrying the most sacred fragrance of the [with sandalwood paste] decorated body of Lord Vāsudeva. (22) When Vāsudeva, the Supreme Lord, is situated in their hearts in the transcendental form of His goodness, the production of offspring will be abundant. (23) After the Supreme Lord Kalki, the Lord and Master of Dharma, has incarnated, Satya-yuga will begin and progeny will be created in the mode of goodness [see yuga]. (24) The moment the sun and the moon together with Jupiter [Bhrihaspatī] in the same constellation [of Karkatha or Cancer] enter the lunar mansion of Tishyā [or Pushyā, 3° 20“ to 16° 40“, see zodiac],  Satya-yuga [Krita] will begin.

(25) I briefly described all the past, present and future kings belonging to the solar and lunar dynasties [see also vams'a]. (26) Beginning from the birth of your good self up to the coronation of king Nanda [see 12.1: 12] eleven hundred and fifty years will pass [*]. (27-28) On the [northwest] line between the two stars [Pulaha and Kratu] one first sees rising in the constellation of the seven sages [Ursa Major, the Great Bear], one in the nightly sky sees their [ruling] lunar mansion. The sages [the stars] in that lunar mansion remain connected with it for a hundred human years. Now, in your time, they are situated in the nakshatra called Maghā. (29) When Vishnu, the Supreme Lord, the sun known as Krishna, returned to heaven, this world entered the age of Kali in which people delight in sin. (30) For as long as He, the Husband of Ramā, touched the earth with His lotus feet, Kali could not prevail on earth. (31) Kali-yuga begins when the [constellation of the] seven divine sages enter[s] Maghā. That period covers twelve hundred [godly] years [or 432.000 human years, see also kāla]. (32) When the seven sages pass from Maghā to the lunar mansion of Pūrvāsādhā, this age of Kali will attain its full strength beginning with the time of king [Mahāpadma] Nanda and his descendants. (33) The historians say that the age of Kali began the very day that S'rī Krishna departed for the spiritual world. (34) At the end of the thousand celestial years of the fourth [Kali] age, Satya-yuga will start again, the time when the minds of men will be self-enlightened.

(35) Thus this dynasty from [Vaivasvata] Manu has been enumerated as it is known on earth. The positions of the scholars, the traders and the workers in each age can therewith also be understood. (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) Devāpi, the brother of S'āntanu [9.22: 12-17] and Maru [9.12: 5-6] who took birth in the Ikshvāku dynasty, are endowed with great mystical power and both live [even now] in Kalāpa. (38) At the end of the age of Kali they will return to human society and promulgate the varnās'rama-dharma as it was before, deriving from the instructions they received from Vāsudeva [Krishna]. (39) The four ages of Krita [Satya], Tretā, Dvāpara and Kali that the living beings undergo in this world, will repeat themselves continuously following this sequential order [see also mahāyuga]. (40) Oh King, these kings, these gods among man and the others I described, who arriving on this earth exert their possessiveness, in the end all have to forsake this world and face their demise. (41) Even if someone's body carries the name of king it is nevertheless destined to be known as stool, worms or ashes. For the sake of that body he was an enemy of other living beings and therefore ends up in hell. What does such a one know about his self-interest [compare 6.18: 25, 7.15: 37, 10.10: 10, 10.51: 50]? (42) [A king may think:] 'How can this same undivided earth as controlled by the personalities of my predecessors and now under my control, stay in the hands of my son, grandson and other descendants?' (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, for in the end reaching one's own absence one has to forsake both this body and this earth [see also 4.9: 34-35]. (44) Oh King, of whatever that kings may enjoy in the world with all their power, is by Time nothing more preserved than some accounts and histories [compare with 2.9: 33, 5.19: 28, 11.19: 16, 11.28: 21].'

 

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Third revised edition, loaded September 22, 2022.

 

 

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 1

S'rī S'uka said: 'And then, oh King, under the strong influence of the time [of Kali-yuga] religiousness, truthfulness, cleanliness, tolerance and mercy, as also the quality of life, physical strength and memory, will diminish day after day [see also 1.16].
S'rī 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]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2

Among the people of the age of Kali all one attains by good birth, behavior and qualities will be wealth, while material power will be the only factor determining what is just and reasonable.

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. (Vedabase)

  

Text 3

Relations between men and women will be based upon sensual pleasure, business will be ruled by deceit, masculinity and femininity are there for sexual attraction, and a sacred thread will suffice to be considered learned.

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. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 4

Spiritual status and one's progress in this respect will be determined by outer marks only, one is considered questionable when one lacks in funds, while scholarship will consist of word jugglery. 

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. (Vedabase)


 Text 5

Poverty will simply be considered a lack of virtue, while the standard of virtue will be hypocrisy and deceit. Verbal agreement is enough to be married and a bath suffices to start the day.

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. (Vedabase)

 

Text 6

A holy place is a reservoir of water somewhere far away, beauty depends on one's hair style, life's purpose is to fill one's belly, someone audacious is considered truthful, when one can maintain a family one is an expert, and religious principles are observed for the sake of 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, able to maintain a family one is an expert and religious service is attended for one's reputation. (Vedabase)


Text 7

With the earth being crowded with a populace thus corrupted, anyone who is the strongest among the intellectuals, the rulers, the merchants and the working class, will be called the king [or president].

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. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 8

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

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. (Vedabase)

  

 Text 9

Plagued by draughts, famine and taxation, they will be ruined and resort to the consumption of leaves, roots, meat, honey, fruits, flowers and seeds [see also 1.16: 20, 4.20: 14, 4.21: 24, B.G. 3: 14].

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].  (Vedabase)

 

Text 10

Heavily burdened by cold, wind, heat, rain and snow, as also by quarrels, hunger, thirst and diseases, they suffer a great deal of distress and anxiety.

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. (Vedabase)

 

Text 11

In Kali-yuga men for no more than fifty years can enjoy a decent quality of [family] life.

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 are in decay from the contamination of Kali-yuga, when the dutifulness of the members of all status-orientations is lost, when the Vedic path for all man has changed into a predominantly atheistic sense of duty, when the kings [or governors] mainly consist of thieves, and the people in their various occupations are lying criminals of useless violence [against specially animals], when the societal classes as good as all are engaged in profit-minded labor, cows have the same value as goats, the hermitages hardly can be distinguished from materialistic households, family bonds do not reach beyond the ties of marriage, when the plants and herbs are mostly small sized and all trees are like s'amī trees, when there is always lightning in the clouds and the homes are ruled by loneliness [voidism and impersonalism, see Pranāti], when Kali-yuga is running at its end and the people behave 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 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'amī trees, when there is always lightning in the clouds and the homes are ruled by loneliness [voidism, impersonalism, see Pranāti], 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. (Vedabase)

 

Text 17

The spiritual master of all the moving and nonmoving living beings, Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Personality and Controller of All, takes birth for the protection of the religion and to put an end to the karma of the saintly souls.

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. (Vedabase)

 

Text 18

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

In the village of S'ambhala Lord Kalki will appear in the home of the great soul, the brahmin Vishnuyas'ā ['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 eight mystic opulences [siddhis], will subdue the reprobates. With speed traveling the earth on His horse He, unrivaled in His splendor, will slaughter the thieves dressing as kings by the millions.

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. (Vedabase)

    

Text 21

When all the robbers have been killed, the minds of all the residents of the towns and cities will clear up who came in touch with the breeze carrying the most sacred fragrance of the [with sandalwood paste] decorated body of Lord Vāsudeva.

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 Vāsudeva. (Vedabase)

 

Text 22

When Vāsudeva, the Supreme Lord, is situated in their hearts in the transcendental form of His goodness, the production of offspring will be abundant.

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

 

 Text 23

After the Supreme Lord Kalki, the Lord and Master of Dharma, has incarnated, Satya-yuga will begin and progeny will be created in the mode of goodness [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

The moment the sun and the moon together with Jupiter [Bhrihaspatī] in the same constellation [of Karkatha or Cancer] enter the lunar mansion of Tishyā [or Pushyā, 3° 20“ to 16° 40“, see zodiac],  Satya-yuga [Krita] will begin.

When the moon and the sun together with Jupiter [Bhrihaspatī] in the same constellation [of Karkatha or Cancer] enter the lunar mansion of Tishyā [or Pushyā, 3° 20“ to 16° 40“ see zodiac] that very moment Satya-yuga - or Krita - will begin. (Vedabase)

 

Text 25

I briefly described all the past, present and future kings belonging to the solar and lunar dynasties [see also vams'a].

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]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 26

Beginning from the birth of your good self up to 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] eleven hundred and fifty years will pass [*]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 27-28

On the [northwest] line between the two stars [Pulaha and Kratu] one first sees rising in the constellation of the seven sages [Ursa Major, the Great Bear], one in the nightly sky sees their [ruling] lunar mansion. The sages [the stars] in that lunar mansion remain connected with it for a hundred human years. Now, in your time, they are situated in the nakshatra called Maghā.

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 Maghā.  (Vedabase)

 

Text 29

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

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. (Vedabase)

 

Text 30

For as long as He, the Husband of Ramā, touched the earth with His lotus feet, Kali could not prevail on earth.

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

 

Text 31

Kali-yuga begins when the [constellation of the] seven divine sages enter[s] Maghā. That period covers twelve hundred [godly] years [or 432.000 human years, see also kāla].

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

 

Text 32

When the seven sages pass from Maghā to the lunar mansion of Pūrvāsādhā, this age of Kali will attain its full strength beginning with the time of king [Mahāpadma] Nanda and his descendants.

When the seven sages pass from Maghā to the lunar mansion of Pūrvāsādhā, will from the time of [Mahāpadma] Nanda and his descendants on, this age of Kali gain its full strength. (Vedabase)

 

Text 33

The historians say that the age of Kali began the very day that S'rī Krishna departed for the spiritual world.

The historians say that the day that S'rī Krishna left for the spiritual abode, the age of Kali commenced. (Vedabase)

 

Text 34

At the end of the thousand celestial years of the fourth [Kali] age, Satya-yuga will start again, the time when the minds of men will be self-enlightened.

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. (Vedabase)

 

Text 35

Thus this dynasty from [Vaivasvata] Manu has been enumerated as it is known on earth. The positions of the scholars, the traders and the workers in each age can therewith also be understood.

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. (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 only remembers their names; all that remains of their glory on this earth are their stories. (Vedabase)

 

Text 37

Devāpi, the brother of S'āntanu [9.22: 12-17] and Maru [9.12: 5-6] who took birth in the Ikshvāku dynasty, are endowed with great mystical power and both live [even now] in Kalāpa.

Devāpi, the brother of S'āntanu [9.22: 12-17] and Maru [9.12: 5-6] who took birth in the Ikshvāku dynasty, both live in Kalāpa, endowed with great mystic power. (Vedabase)

 

Text 38

At the end of the age of Kali they will return to human society and promulgate the varnās'rama-dharma as it was before, deriving from the instructions they received from Vāsudeva [Krishna].

They will at the end of the age of Kali return to the human society and, deriving from the instructions they received from Vāsudeva, as previously promulgate the varnās'rama-dharma. (Vedabase)

 

Text 39

The four ages of Krita [Satya], Tretā, Dvāpara and Kali that the living beings undergo in this world, will repeat themselves continuously following this sequential order [see also mahāyuga].

The four ages of Krita, Tretā, Dvāpara and Kali that the living beings undergo in this world continuously repeat themselves in this sequential order [see also mahāyuga]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 40

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

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. (Vedabase)

 

Text 41

Even if someone's body carries the name of king it is nevertheless destined to be known as stool, worms or ashes. For the sake of that body he was an enemy of other living beings and therefore ends up in hell. What does such a one know about his self-interest [compare 6.18: 25, 7.15: 37, 10.10: 10, 10.51: 50]?

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]? (Vedabase)

 

Text 42

[A king may think:] 'How can this same undivided earth as controlled by the personalities of my predecessors and now under my control, stay in the hands of my son, grandson and other descendants?'

[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, for in the end reaching one's own absence one has to forsake both this body and this earth [see also 4.9: 34-35].

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]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 44

Oh King, of whatever that kings may enjoy in the world with all their power, is by Time nothing more preserved than some accounts and histories [compare with 2.9: 33, 5.19: 28, 11.19: 16, 11.28: 21].'

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].' (Vedabase)

 

*: From this statement can be derived, that the Candragupta that after Nanda by Cānakya 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 paramparā adds to the discrepancy of three centuries further: 'Although S'ukadeva Gosvāmī previously described approximately fifteen hundred years of royal dynasties, it is understood that some overlapping occurred between kings.'

 

 

 

 

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                          Commons License
The text and audio are offered under the conditions of the
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.

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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