Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 38

Kali-yuga Dynasties and the Degradation of Kingship

Devanagari script

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

Transliteration

tulya-kālā ime rājan mleccha-prāyāś ca bhū-bhṛtaḥ ete ’dharmānṛta-parāḥ phalgu-dās tīvra-manyavaḥ

Translation

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.

Synonyms

• तुल्यकालाḥ: of equal time-span (contemporaneous)
• तुल्यकालाḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुल्य-काल (प्रातिपदिक; तुल्य + काल)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण—'इमे भूभृतः' इत्यस्य

• इमे: these
• इमे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• राजन्: O king
• राजन्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

• म्लेच्छप्रायाः: mostly barbarians
• म्लेच्छप्रायाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: म्लेच्छ-प्राय (प्रातिपदिक; म्लेच्छ + प्राय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण—'इमे भूभृतः'

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• भूभृतः: kings (earth-bearers)
• भूभृतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू-भृत् (प्रातिपदिक; भू + भृत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• एते: these
• एते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• अधर्मानृतपराः: devoted to irreligion and falsehood
• अधर्मानृतपराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधर्म-अनृत-पर (प्रातिपदिक; अधर्म + अनृत + पर)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण—'एते'

• फल्गुदाः: giving paltry (gifts)
• फल्गुदाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: फल्गु-द (प्रातिपदिक; फल्गु + द)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण—'एते'

• तीव्रमन्यवः: of fierce anger
• तीव्रमन्यवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तीव्र-मन्यु (प्रातिपदिक; तीव्र + मन्यु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण—'एते'

Characters & Entities

• King Parīkṣit

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Kali Yuga rulers and kings?

In this verse (12.1.38), Śukadeva says that many rulers in Kali-yuga will be mleccha-like—given to adharma and untruth, petty in virtue, and quick to anger.

Why did Shukadeva Goswami speak about degraded kings to King Parikshit?

Śukadeva is describing the future course of Kali-yuga to Parīkṣit Mahārāja, helping him understand the coming decline of dharma and the need to take shelter of spiritual practice and devotion.

How can we apply this Bhagavatam verse about Kali Yuga in modern life?

The verse warns against being guided by falsehood, anger, and irreligion; practically, it encourages cultivating truthfulness, self-control, and bhakti as protection amid societal decline.