Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 36

Kali-yuga Dynasties and the Degradation of Kingship

Devanagari script

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

Transliteration

saurāṣṭrāvanty-ābhīrāś ca śūrā arbuda-mālavāḥ vrātyā dvijā bhaviṣyanti śūdra-prāyā janādhipāḥ

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.

Synonyms

• saurāṣṭra-avantī-ābhīrāḥ: Saurāṣṭras, Avantīs, and Ābhīras
• saurāṣṭra-avantī-ābhīrāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saurāṣṭra + avantī + ābhīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (Saurāṣṭras, Avantīs, and Ābhīras)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• śūrāḥ: Śūras
• śūrāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śūra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; जन/जातिवाचक

• arbuda-mālavāḥ: Arbudas and Mālavas
• arbuda-mālavāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: arbuda + mālava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (Arbudas and Mālavas)

• vrātyāḥ: degraded/outcaste
• vrātyāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vrātya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; द्विजाः इति विशेषण (fallen/outcaste)

• dvijāḥ: twice-born (Brahmins etc.)
• dvijāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• bhaviṣyanti: will become
• bhaviṣyanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Future), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• śūdra-prāyāḥ: mostly Śūdra-like
• śūdra-prāyāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śūdra + prāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; जनाधिपाः इति विशेषण; समासः—शूद्र-प्राय (mostly like Śūdras)

• janādhipāḥ: rulers
• janādhipāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jana-adhipa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—जनानाम् अधिपाः (rulers of people)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about fallen brāhmaṇas in Kali-yuga?

This verse states that in Kali-yuga many dvijas (brāhmaṇas) will become vrātyas—deviating from Vedic discipline and proper conduct—indicating a decline of genuine brahminical culture.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe these Kali-yuga conditions to King Parīkṣit?

Śukadeva informs Parīkṣit about the coming degradation of social and religious standards in Kali-yuga, so the king (and future listeners) understand the age’s dangers and take shelter of bhakti as the sure remedy.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life according to the Bhagavatam?

Rather than relying on external status or worldly leadership, one should seek genuine sādhus and authentic śāstra-guided practice, and strengthen devotion—hearing and chanting the Lord’s names—to remain protected in Kali-yuga.