Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 9

Nimi Questions the Yogendras: Māyā, Cosmic Dissolution, Guru-Śaraṇāgati, Bhakti, and Deity Worship

Devanagari script

शतवर्षा ह्यनावृष्टिर्भविष्यत्युल्बणा भुवि । तत्कालोपचितोष्णार्को लोकांस्त्रीन्प्रतपिष्यति ॥ ९ ॥

Transliteration

śata-varṣā hy anāvṛṣṭir bhaviṣyaty ulbaṇā bhuvi tat-kālopacitoṣṇārko lokāṁs trīn pratapiṣyati

Translation

As cosmic annihilation approaches, a dreadful drought afflicts the earth for one hundred years. During that time the sun’s heat steadily increases, and its blazing fire torments the three worlds.

Synonyms

• शत-वर्षा: lasting a hundred years
• शत-वर्षा: Viśeṣaṇa of Karta (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शत (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (शतं वर्षाणि यस्याः)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, निपात (particle)

• अनावृष्टिः: drought, lack of rain
• अनावृष्टिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनावृष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• भविष्यति: will be
• भविष्यति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• उल्बणा: severe, intense
• उल्बणा: Viśeṣaṇa of Karta (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उल्बण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (अनावृष्टिः) इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• भुवि: on the earth
• भुवि: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• तत्-काल-उपचित-उष्ण-अर्कः: the sun, heated up by that time’s accumulation (of heat)
• तत्-काल-उपचित-उष्ण-अर्कः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + काल (प्रातिपदिक) + उपचित (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + उष्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (तत्कालेन उपचितः उष्णः अर्कः)

• लोकान्: worlds
• लोकान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), बहुवचन

• त्रीन्: three
• त्रीन्: Viśeṣaṇa of Karma (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; (लोकान्) इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• प्रतपिष्यति: will scorch, will heat intensely
• प्रतपिष्यति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + तप् (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; उपसर्गः प्र-

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about drought in Kali Yuga?

In this verse (11.3.9), Śukadeva describes a terrifying future drought lasting a hundred years, after which the sun’s accumulated heat scorches the three worlds—an extreme sign of degeneration and upheaval.

Why is Śukadeva Gosvāmī describing such calamities to King Parīkṣit?

Śukadeva teaches Parīkṣit about the nature of time and the decline of the ages, so the king—and listeners—develop detachment from material security and take shelter of bhakti as the true refuge.

What is the practical application of this Bhagavatam verse in modern life?

It encourages sobriety about worldly impermanence and motivates sincere spiritual practice—hearing and chanting about Bhagavān—rather than relying on fragile material arrangements for lasting safety.