Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 23

The Earth Laughs at World-Conquering Kings; Yuga-Dharma and the Remedy for Kali

Devanagari script

यशस्विनो महाशीला: स्वाध्यायाध्ययने रता: । आढ्या: कुटुम्बिनो हृष्टा वर्णा: क्षत्रद्विजोत्तरा: ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

yaśasvino mahā-śīlāḥ svādhyāyādhyayane ratāḥ āḍhyāḥ kuṭumbino hṛṣṭā varṇāḥ kṣatra-dvijottarāḥ

Translation

In the Dvāpara age people are interested in glory and are very noble. They devote themselves to the study of the Vedas, possess great opulence, support large families and enjoy life with vigor. Of the four classes, the kṣatriyas and brāhmaṇas are most numerous.

Synonyms

• yaśasvinaḥ: glorious, renowned
• yaśasvinaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yaśasvin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण (adjectival)

• mahāśīlāḥ: of great character
• mahāśīlāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + śīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (great + conduct); विशेषण

• svādhyāya-adhyayane: in self-study and study
• svādhyāya-adhyayane: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svādhyāya + adhyayana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास; अधिकरण (locative setting)

• ratāḥ: engaged, devoted
• ratāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rata (कृदन्त; √ram (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle) अर्थे ‘आसक्त/engaged’

• āḍhyāḥ: wealthy
• āḍhyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āḍhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• kuṭumbinaḥ: householders
• kuṭumbinaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuṭumbin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘कुटुम्बी/householder’

• hṛṣṭāḥ: joyful
• hṛṣṭāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hṛṣṭa (कृदन्त; √hṛṣ (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; ‘प्रसन्न/joyful’

• varṇāḥ: social classes (varṇas)
• varṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• kṣatra-dvija-uttarāḥ: with Kṣatriyas and twice-born as foremost
• kṣatra-dvija-uttarāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṣatra + dvija + uttara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (kṣatra-dvija-uttara = ‘having Kṣatriyas and Brāhmaṇas as superior/upper’); विशेषण

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about ideal qualities of society before Kali-yuga fully manifests?

This verse describes a dharmic society marked by good reputation, noble conduct, prosperity, joyfulness, and strong engagement in svādhyāya (Vedic study), with leadership guided by kṣatriyas and exemplary brāhmaṇas.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe social classes (varṇas) and their leaders in Canto 12 Chapter 3?

He is outlining the characteristics of ages and social conditions, showing how dharma is supported when qualified leaders—kṣatriyas for governance and the best brāhmaṇas for spiritual guidance—are prominent.

Practical application of svādhyāya (scriptural self-study) from Srimad Bhagavatam 12.3.23 in modern life?

Maintain a steady habit of studying and reciting sacred texts, align family and work life with ethical conduct, and seek guidance from genuinely learned and character-rich teachers.