Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 11
Kali-yuga Dynasties and the Degradation of Kingship
नव नन्दान् द्विज: कश्चित् प्रपन्नानुद्धरिष्यति । तेषामभावे जगतीं मौर्या भोक्ष्यन्ति वै कलौ ॥ ११ ॥
nava nandān dvijaḥ kaścit prapannān uddhariṣyati teṣām abhāve jagatīṁ mauryā bhokṣyanti vai kalau
Ein gewisser brāhmaṇa (Cāṇakya) wird das Vertrauen König Nandas und seiner acht Söhne verraten und ihre Dynastie vernichten; in ihrer Abwesenheit werden im Kali-Zeitalter die Mauryas die Welt regieren.
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.
FAQs
This verse states that after the nine Nanda rulers are delivered by a certain brāhmaṇa, the Maurya dynasty will rule the earth during Kali-yuga.
The verse does not name him directly, but tradition commonly understands this as Cāṇakya (Kauṭilya), the brāhmaṇa strategist connected with the transition from the Nandas to the Mauryas.
Worldly power shifts quickly across dynasties in Kali-yuga; therefore, a devotee should place lasting shelter in dharma and devotion rather than trusting political stability as a source of security.