Adhyaya 1
Dvadasha SkandhaAdhyaya 141 Verses

Adhyaya 1

Kali-yuga Dynasties and the Degradation of Kingship

Continuing the list of future rulers, Śukadeva Gosvāmī carries the vaṁśānucarita into Kali-yuga, tracing repeated dynastic upheavals driven by assassination, ministerial coups, and the rise of non-kṣatriya power. He names the Pradyotana line and the Śiśunāga kings, culminating in Nanda—son of Mahānandi, born of a śūdra woman—whose vast army and wealth mark a decisive shift in political dharma and the eclipse of traditional kṣatriya leadership. The account moves through the Nandas and the brāhmaṇa Cāṇakya’s intervention, which overthrows them and installs the Mauryas, followed by the Śuṅgas and then the Kāṇvas. After the Kāṇvas are toppled by an Andhra śūdra servant, a long Andhra succession is outlined, along with other ruling groups (Ābhīras, Gardabhīs, Kaṅkas, Yavanas, Turuṣkas, Guruṇḍas, Maulas, and the Kilakilā kings). The chapter then turns from lists to moral prognosis: barbarous rulers will exploit the people and dismantle Vedic standards, and the populace will imitate them, setting the stage for the next chapter’s fuller description of Kali-yuga’s symptoms and spiritual remedies.

Shlokas

Verse 1

श्रीशुक उवाच योऽन्त्य: पुरञ्जयो नाम भविष्यो बारहद्रथ: । तस्यामात्यस्तु शुनको हत्वा स्वामिनमात्मजम् ॥ १ ॥ प्रद्योतसंज्ञं राजानं कर्ता यत् पालक: सुत: । विशाखयूपस्तत्पुत्रो भविता राजकस्तत: ॥ २ ॥

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The last of the future kings of the Māgadha dynasty previously listed will be Purañjaya, born as a descendant of Bṛhadratha. His minister Śunaka will kill his master and place his own son, Pradyota, upon the throne. Pradyota’s son will be Pālaka; his son, Viśākhayūpa; and his son, Rājaka.

Verse 2

श्रीशुक उवाच योऽन्त्य: पुरञ्जयो नाम भविष्यो बारहद्रथ: । तस्यामात्यस्तु शुनको हत्वा स्वामिनमात्मजम् ॥ १ ॥ प्रद्योतसंज्ञं राजानं कर्ता यत् पालक: सुत: । विशाखयूपस्तत्पुत्रो भविता राजकस्तत: ॥ २ ॥

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The last of the future kings of the Māgadha line will be Purañjaya, born in the dynasty of Bṛhadratha. His minister Śunaka will slay his lord and place his own son, named Pradyota, upon the throne. Pradyota’s son will be Pālaka; his son, Viśākhayūpa; and his son, Rājaka.

Verse 3

नन्दिवर्धनस्तत्पुत्र: पञ्च प्रद्योतना इमे । अष्टत्रिंशोत्तरशतं भोक्ष्यन्ति पृथिवीं नृपा: ॥ ३ ॥

Rājaka’s son will be Nandivardhana. Thus in the Pradyotana dynasty there will be five kings, who will rule the earth for 138 years.

Verse 4

शिशुनागस्ततो भाव्य: काकवर्णस्तु तत्सुत: । क्षेमधर्मा तस्य सुत: क्षेत्रज्ञ: क्षेमधर्मज: ॥ ४ ॥

Nandivardhana will have a son named Śiśunāga, and his son will be known as Kākavarṇa. Kākavarṇa’s son will be Kṣemadharmā, and Kṣemadharmā’s son will be Kṣetrajña.

Verse 5

विधिसार: सुतस्तस्याजातशत्रुर्भविष्यति । दर्भकस्तत्सुतो भावी दर्भकस्याजय: स्मृत: ॥ ५ ॥

Kṣetrajña’s son will be Vidhisāra, and his son will be known as Ajātaśatru. Ajātaśatru will have a son named Darbhaka, and Darbhaka’s son will be Ajaya.

Verse 6

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 ॥

Ajaya will beget 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 in the age of Kali. My dear King Parīkṣit, Mahānandi will father, in the womb of a śūdra woman, a most powerful son known as Nanda, lord of countless troops and vast riches. He will devastate the kṣatriyas, and thereafter nearly all kings will be irreligious śūdras.

Verse 7

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 ॥

Ajaya will beget a second Nandivardhana, whose son will be Mahānandi. O best of the Kurus, in the Age of Kali these ten kings of the Śiśunāga line will rule the earth for a total of 360 years. My dear Parīkṣit, Mahānandi will father a very powerful son in the womb of a śūdra woman; known as Nanda, he will command vast wealth and millions of soldiers, devastate the kṣatriyas, and thereafter nearly all kings will be irreligious, śūdra-like rulers.

Verse 8

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 ॥

Ajaya will beget a second Nandivardhana, whose son will be Mahānandi. O best of the Kurus, in Kali-yuga these ten kings of the Śiśunāga dynasty will rule the earth for a total of 360 years. Dear Parīkṣit, Mahānandi will have a very powerful son from a śūdra woman’s womb, called Nanda, possessor of immense wealth and a great army; he will destroy the kṣatriyas, and thereafter nearly all kings will be śūdra-like and without dharma.

Verse 9

स एकच्छत्रां पृथिवीमनुल्ल‍‌‌ङ्घितशासन: । शासिष्यति महापद्मो द्वितीय इव भार्गव: ॥ ९ ॥

Nanda, lord of Mahāpadma, will rule the entire earth under a single sovereignty, like a second Paraśurāma, and no one will dare challenge his authority.

Verse 10

तस्य चाष्टौ भविष्यन्ति सुमाल्यप्रमुखा: सुता: । य इमां भोक्ष्यन्ति महीं राजानश्च शतं समा: ॥ १० ॥

He will have eight sons, headed by Sumālya, who will rule the earth as powerful kings for one hundred years.

Verse 11

नव नन्दान् द्विज: कश्चित् प्रपन्नानुद्धरिष्यति । तेषामभावे जगतीं मौर्या भोक्ष्यन्ति वै कलौ ॥ ११ ॥

A certain brāhmaṇa (Cāṇakya) will betray the trust of King Nanda and his eight sons and destroy their dynasty; in their absence, as Kali-yuga proceeds, the Mauryas will rule the world.

Verse 12

स एव चन्द्रगुप्तं वै द्विजो राज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति । तत्सुतो वारिसारस्तु ततश्चाशोकवर्धन: ॥ १२ ॥

That brāhmaṇa will enthrone Candragupta by royal consecration. His son will be named Vārisāra, and Vārisāra’s son will be Aśokavardhana.

Verse 13

सुयशा भविता तस्य सङ्गत: सुयश:सुत: । शालिशूकस्ततस्तस्य सोमशर्मा भविष्यति । शतधन्वा ततस्तस्य भविता तद् बृहद्रथ: ॥ १३ ॥

After Aśokavardhana will come Suyaśā, whose son will be Saṅgata. Saṅgata’s son will be Śāliśūka; Śāliśūka’s son, Somaśarmā; Somaśarmā’s son, Śatadhanvā; and his son will be known as Bṛhadratha.

Verse 14

मौर्या ह्येते दश नृपा: सप्तत्रिंशच्छतोत्तरम् । समा भोक्ष्यन्ति पृथिवीं कलौ कुरुकुलोद्वह ॥ १४ ॥

O best of the Kurus, these ten Maurya kings will rule the earth for one hundred thirty-seven years in the age of Kali.

Verse 15

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 ॥

My dear King Parīkṣit, after Agnimitra will come Sujyeṣṭha. Then will follow Vasumitra, Bhadraka, and Bhadraka’s son Pulinda. Next Pulinda’s son Ghoṣa will rule, followed by Vajramitra, then Bhāgavata, and then Devabhūti, O foremost hero of the Kurus. Thus ten Śuṅga kings will govern the earth for more than one hundred years. Thereafter the earth will pass under the sway of the Kāṇva dynasty, whose kings will possess but few virtues.

Verse 16

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 ॥

My dear King Parīkṣit, after Agnimitra will come Sujyeṣṭha. Then will follow Vasumitra, Bhadraka, and Bhadraka’s son Pulinda. Next Pulinda’s son Ghoṣa will rule, followed by Vajramitra, then Bhāgavata, and then Devabhūti, O foremost hero of the Kurus. Thus ten Śuṅga kings will govern the earth for more than one hundred years. Thereafter the earth will pass under the sway of the Kāṇva dynasty, whose kings will possess but few virtues.

Verse 17

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 ॥

O Parīkṣit, foremost of the Kuru heroes: after Agnimitra, Sujyeṣṭha will reign; then Vasumitra, Bhadraka, and Pulinda, the son of Bhadraka. Next will rule Ghoṣa, son of Pulinda; then Vajramitra, thereafter Bhāgavata, and finally Devabhūti. Thus ten Śuṅga kings will enjoy dominion over the earth for more than a hundred years. Then the earth will pass under the sway of the Kāṇva dynasty, whose rulers will display but few virtues.

Verse 18

शुङ्गं हत्वा देवभूतिं काण्वोऽमात्यस्तु कामिनम् । स्वयं करिष्यते राज्यं वसुदेवो महामति: ॥ १८ ॥

Vasudeva, the wise minister born in the Kāṇva line, will slay Devabhūti—the lust-driven last king of the Śuṅgas—and will himself assume the throne.

Verse 19

तस्य पुत्रस्तु भूमित्रस्तस्य नारायण: सुत: । काण्वायना इमे भूमिं चत्वारिंशच्च पञ्च च । शतानि त्रीणि भोक्ष्यन्ति वर्षाणां च कलौ युगे ॥ १९ ॥

Vasudeva’s son will be Bhūmitra, and his son will be Nārāyaṇa. These Kāṇva kings will rule the earth for 345 years within the age of Kali.

Verse 20

हत्वा काण्वं सुशर्माणं तद् भृत्यो वृषलो बली । गां भोक्ष्यत्यन्ध्रजातीय: कञ्चित् कालमसत्तम: ॥ २० ॥

Suśarmā, the last of the Kāṇvas, will be slain by his own servant Balī, a base śūdra of Andhra stock. This most fallen Mahārāja Balī will hold sway over the earth for some time.

Verse 21

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 ॥

Balī’s brother, named Kṛṣṇa, will become the next ruler of the earth. His son will be Śāntakarṇa, whose son will be Paurṇamāsa. Paurṇamāsa’s son will be Lambodara, from whom King Cibilaka will arise. From Cibilaka will come Meghasvāti, whose son will be Aṭamāna. Aṭamāna’s son will be Aniṣṭakarmā; his son Hāleya; and his son Talaka. Talaka’s son will be Purīṣabhīru, after whom Sunandana will reign. Then will come Cakora and many kings called Bahu, among whom Śivasvāti will be famed as a crusher of foes. Śivasvāti’s son will be Gomatī; then Purīmān. Purīmān’s son will be Medaśirā; his son Śivaskanda; and his son Yajñaśrī. Yajñaśrī’s son will be Vijaya, who will have two sons, Candravijña and Lomadhi. O Kuru-nandana, these thirty kings will rule the earth for a total of 456 years.

Verse 22

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 ॥

The son of Paurṇamāsa will be Lambodara, who will father Mahārāja Cibilaka. From Cibilaka will come Meghasvāti, whose son will be Aṭamāna.

Verse 23

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 ॥

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.

Verse 24

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 ॥

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.

Verse 25

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 ॥

His 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.

Verse 26

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 ॥

These thirty kings will enjoy sovereignty over the earth for a total of 456 years, O favorite son of the Kurus.

Verse 27

सप्ताभीरा आवभृत्या दश गर्दभिनो नृपा: । कङ्का: षोडश भूपाला भविष्यन्त्यतिलोलुपा: ॥ २७ ॥

Then will come seven kings of the Ābhīra race, arising from the city of Avabhṛti, and after them ten Gardabhīs. Thereafter sixteen Kaṅka kings will rule the earth, renowned for excessive greed.

Verse 28

ततोऽष्टौ यवना भाव्याश्चतुर्दश तुरुष्कका: । भूयो दश गुरुण्डाश्च मौला एकादशैव तु ॥ २८ ॥

Next eight Yavana kings will arise, followed by fourteen Turuṣkas; then ten Guruṇḍas, and indeed eleven rulers of the Maula dynasty.

Verse 29

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 ॥

These Ābhīras, Gardabhīs and Kaṅkas will enjoy and rule the earth for 1,099 years, and the eleven Maula kings will reign for 300 years. When they have all passed away, in the city of Kilakilā a line of kings will arise—Bhūtananda, Vaṅgiri, Śiśunandi, Śiśunandi’s brother Yaśonandi, and Pravīraka. These kings of Kilakilā will hold dominion for a total of 106 years.

Verse 30

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 ॥

These Ābhīras, Gardabhīs and Kaṅkas will enjoy and rule the earth for 1,099 years, and the eleven Maula kings will reign for 300 years. When they have all passed away, in the city of Kilakilā a line of kings will arise—Bhūtananda, Vaṅgiri, Śiśunandi, Śiśunandi’s brother Yaśonandi, and Pravīraka. These kings of Kilakilā will hold dominion for a total of 106 years.

Verse 31

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 ॥

These Ābhīras, Gardabhīs and Kaṅkas will enjoy and rule the earth for 1,099 years, and the eleven Maula kings will reign for 300 years. When they have all passed away, in the city of Kilakilā a line of kings will arise—Bhūtananda, Vaṅgiri, Śiśunandi, Śiśunandi’s brother Yaśonandi, and Pravīraka. These kings of Kilakilā will hold dominion for a total of 106 years.

Verse 32

तेषां त्रयोदश सुता भवितारश्च बाह्लिका: । पुष्पमित्रोऽथ राजन्यो दुर्मित्रोऽस्य तथैव च ॥ ३२ ॥ एककाला इमे भूपा: सप्तान्ध्रा: सप्त कौशला: । विदूरपतयो भाव्या निषधास्तत एव हि ॥ ३३ ॥

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.

Verse 33

तेषां त्रयोदश सुता भवितारश्च बाह्लिका: । पुष्पमित्रोऽथ राजन्यो दुर्मित्रोऽस्य तथैव च ॥ ३२ ॥ एककाला इमे भूपा: सप्तान्ध्रा: सप्त कौशला: । विदूरपतयो भाव्या निषधास्तत एव हि ॥ ३३ ॥

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.

Verse 34

मागधानां तु भविता विश्वस्फूर्जि: पुरञ्जय: । करिष्यत्यपरो वर्णान् पुलिन्दयदुमद्रकान् ॥ ३४ ॥

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.

Verse 35

प्रजाश्चाब्रह्मभूयिष्ठा: स्थापयिष्यति दुर्मति: । वीर्यवान् क्षत्रमुत्साद्य पद्मवत्यां स वै पुरि । अनुगङ्गमाप्रयागं गुप्तां भोक्ष्यति मेदिनीम् ॥ ३५ ॥

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.

Verse 36

सौराष्ट्रावन्त्याभीराश्च शूरा अर्बुदमालवा: । व्रात्या द्विजा भविष्यन्ति शूद्रप्राया जनाधिपा: ॥ ३६ ॥

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.

Verse 37

सिन्धोस्तटं चन्द्रभागां कौन्तीं काश्मीरमण्डलम् । भोक्ष्यन्ति शूद्रा व्रात्याद्या म्‍लेच्छाश्चाब्रह्मवर्चस: ॥ ३७ ॥

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.

Verse 38

तुल्यकाला इमे राजन् म्‍लेच्छप्रायाश्च भूभृत: । एतेऽधर्मानृतपरा: फल्गुदास्तीव्रमन्यव: ॥ ३८ ॥

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.

Verse 39

स्त्रीबालगोद्विजघ्नाश्च परदारधनाद‍ृता: । उदितास्तमितप्राया अल्पसत्त्वाल्पकायुष: ॥ ३९ ॥ असंस्कृता: क्रियाहीना रजसा तमसावृता: । प्रजास्ते भक्षयिष्यन्ति म्‍लेच्छा राजन्यरूपिण: ॥ ४० ॥

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.

Verse 40

स्त्रीबालगोद्विजघ्नाश्च परदारधनाद‍ृता: । उदितास्तमितप्राया अल्पसत्त्वाल्पकायुष: ॥ ३९ ॥ असंस्कृता: क्रियाहीना रजसा तमसावृता: । प्रजास्ते भक्षयिष्यन्ति म्‍लेच्छा राजन्यरूपिण: ॥ ४० ॥

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.

Verse 41

तन्नाथास्ते जनपदास्तच्छीलाचारवादिन: । अन्योन्यतो राजभिश्च क्षयं यास्यन्ति पीडिता: ॥ ४१ ॥

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nanda is described as the powerful son of King Mahānandi conceived in a śūdra woman’s womb. His rise is significant because it symbolizes Kali-yuga’s inversion of rāja-dharma: political authority becomes driven by sheer force, wealth, and mass armies rather than kṣatriya virtue, protection of brāhmaṇas and cows, and adherence to Vedic norms.

Cāṇakya is portrayed as the agent who destroys the Nanda dynasty after betrayal of trust and then enthrones Candragupta, initiating Maurya rule. In Bhāgavata’s framing, this highlights how dynasties pivot through adharma (treachery, coercion) even when a new order appears—underscoring that political change alone does not equal dharmic restoration in Kali-yuga.

These motifs illustrate the Kali-yuga pattern of legitimacy collapse: authority shifts from dharma-based succession to opportunistic seizure of power. The Bhāgavata uses this to teach that when leaders are not self-controlled and God-centered, governance becomes predatory, and citizens inevitably suffer and imitate the same irreligious habits.

It expresses a Bhāgavata principle of moral contagion: rājā is a social exemplar. When rulers are dominated by passion and ignorance, public culture normalizes violence, exploitation, and falsehood. The implied remedy is to seek higher exemplars—sādhus, śāstra, and Bhagavān—through śravaṇa and kīrtana, rather than accepting the king’s behavior as the standard.