Srimad Bhagavatam: Canto 12

S'rî Parîkchit said: 'Please o sage can you tell me whose dynasty ruled over the earth after Krishna, the jewel of the Yadu dynasty, had left for His heavenly abode?' [*]

S'rî Parîkchit said: 'Please o sage tell me, whose dynasty ruled over the earth after Krishna, the jewel of the Yadu dynasty, had left for His heavenly abode?' [*] (source: S'rîmad Bhâgavata MahâPurâna by S'astri C.L. Gosvâmî, Gita Press 1995).

Text 1-2

S'rî S'uka said: 'The last descendant there will be of Brihadratha in the future [see 9.22: 49] is named Purañjaya [not the one in 9.6: 12]; but his minister S'unaka will assassinate his master to make his own son named Pradyota [historical: Bimbisâra] king. His son Pâlaka will have Vis'âkhayûpa as his son with Râjaka next as the king to be.

S'rî S'uka said: 'The last descendant there'll be of Brihadratha in the future [see 9.22: 49] is named Purañjaya [not the one in 9.6: 12]; but his minister S'unaka will assassinate his master to make his own son named Pradyota [hist. Bimbisâra] king, whose son Pâlaka will have Vis'âkhayûpa as his son with Râjaka then to be. (Vedabase)

Text 3

His son will be Nandivardhana; these five Pradyotana kings will enjoy the earth for one-hundred-thirty-eight years.

His son will be Nandivardhana; these five Pradyotana kings will enjoy the earth for one-hundred-thirty-eight years. (Vedabase)

Text 4

Then S'is'unâga will take birth and Kâkavarna will be his son, from whose son Kshemadharmâ, Kshetrajña will be born.

Then will S'is'unâga take birth and will Kâkavarna be his son, from whose son Kshemadharmâ, Kshetrajña will be born. (Vedabase)

Text 5

The son Vidhisâra [of Kshetrajña], will have Ajâtas'atru as his son and Darbhaka will be his son of whom Ajaya will be the successor.

The son Vidhisâra [of Kshetrajña], will have Ajâtas'atru and Darbhaka will be his son of whom Ajaya will be remembered. (Vedabase)

Text 6-8

From Ajaya there will be [another] Nandivardhana whose son is Mahânandi. These ten S'is'unâga kings, o best of the Kurus, will rule over the earth in the age of Kali for three-hundred-and-sixty years. O King, the son of Mahânandi, a certain Nanda, taking birth from the womb of a working class woman, will, powerful as he is as a master over millions, be the destroyer of the royal class; the kings will then, falling to irreligion, be not better than s'ûdras.

From Ajaya there will be [another] Nandivardhana whose son next is Mahânandi. These ten S'is'unâga kings, o best of the Kurus, will in the age of Kali rule over the earth for three-hundred-and-sixty years. O King, the son of Mahânandi, a certain Nanda, taking birth from the womb of a working class woman, will, powerful as he is as a master over millions, be the destroyer of the royal class; the kings will then, falling to irreligion, become no better than s'ûdras. (Vedabase)

Text 9

He, that ruler over millions [also known as Ugrasena], will as the single lead over the entire earth be undefied and in his sovereignty of rule be like a second Paras'urâma [see 9.15 & 16].

He, that ruler over millions [also known as Ugrasena], will as the single lead over the entire earth be undefied and in his sovereignty of rule be like a second Paras'urâma [see 9.15 & 16]. (Vedabase)

Text 10

The eight sons headed by Sumâlya who so will take birth from him, will enjoy as kings this earth for a hundred years.

The eight sons headed by Sumâlya that so will be born from him will as kings enjoy this earth for a hundred years. (Vedabase)

Text 11

A certain twice-born brahmin [called Cânakya] who is trusted by the nine Nandas will overturn them, and with them being gone the Mauryas will rule the earth in Kali-yuga [**].

A certain twice born brahmin [called Cânakya] trusted by the nine Nandas will overturn them, after which with them gone the Mauryas will rule the earth in Kali-yuga [**]. (Vedabase)

Text 12

The brahmin will put Candragupta on the throne and his son Vârisâra will next be succeeded by As'okavardhana.

The brahmin thus will put Candragupta on the throne of whose son Vârisâra then As'okavardhana will follow. (Vedabase)

Text 13

Suyas'â will be born to him; Sangata, Suyas'â's [grand-] son [born to his son Das'aratha] will be S'âlis'ûka of whom next there will be Somas'armâ who will father S'atadhanvâ from whom there will be Brihadratha.

Suyas'â will be born of him; Sangata, Suyas'â's [grand-] son [born from his son Das'aratha] will be S'âlis'ûka of whom next there will be Somas'armâ who will father S'atadhanvâ of whom there will be Brihadratha. (Vedabase)

Text 14

These ten Maurya kings, o eminent hero of the Kuru-dynasty, will rule the earth in Kali-yuga for over one-hundred-thirty-seven-years.

These ten Maurya kings, o eminent hero of the Kuru-dynasty, will in Kali-yuga rule the earth for over one-hundred-thirty-seven-years. (Vedabase)

Text 15-17

From Agnimitra [the son of Pushpamitra, the general who murdered Brihadratha] will follow Sujyeshthha from whom there will be Vasumitra with next Bhadraka and his son Pulinda. His son will be Ghosha to whom Vajramitra will be born; to him Bhâgavata will be born to whom there will be Devabhûti, o eminent Kuru. These ten S'ungas will enjoy the earth for more than a hundred [112] years after which this earth will fall under the rule of the Kânva-dynasty poor in qualities, o ruler of man.

From Agnimitra [the son of Pushpamitra, the general who murdered Brihadratha] will follow Sujyeshthha from whom there will be Vasumitra with next Bhadraka and his son Pulinda. His son will be Ghosha of whom Vajramitra will be born; of him will Bhâgavata be born of whom there will be Devabhûti, o eminent Kuru. These ten S'ungas will enjoy the earth for more than a hundred [112] years after which this earth will fall under the rule of the Kânva-dynasty poor in qualities, o ruler of man. (Vedabase)

Text 18

Vasudeva, a most intelligent minister from the Kânva-family, (through a female slave) killing the lusty S'unga king Devabhûti, will then himself assume rulership.

Vasudeva, a most intelligent minister from the Kânva-family, (through a female slave) killing the lusty S'unga king Devabhûti, will then himself assume rulership. (Vedabase)

Text 19

His son will be Bhûmitra and his son Nârâyana. These Kânva kings will rule the earth for three-hundred-forty-five more years in Kali-yuga.

His son will be Bhûmitra and his son Nârâyana. These Kânva kings will rule the earth for three-hundred-forty-five more years in Kali-yuga. (Vedabase)

Text 20

A low class man of the Andhra race called Balî will as a servant kill Sus'armâ, the [last] Kânva king and most degraded rule the earth for some time.

A low class man of the Andhra race called Balî will as a servant kill Sus'armâ, the [last] Kânva king and most degraded rule the earth for some time. (Vedabase)

Text 21-26

His brother, named Krishna, will then become the next ruler of the earth and the son of S'ântakarna, his son, will be Paurnamâsa. After Lambodara, his son, Cibilaka will be the king and after Cibilaka will be born Meghasvâti to whom there will be Athamâna followed by Anishthakarmâ. To Hâleya, his son, Talaka will appear to the son of whom named Purîshabhîru next Sunandana will be born to be the king. Cakora [his son] will be followed by the eight Bahus, among whom S'ivasvâti will be a great subduer of enemies. To Gomatî, his son, there will be born Purîmân, whose son will be Medas'irâ. S'ivaskanda born to him will have Yajñas'rî for his son after whom next Vijaya, his son, will father Candravijña along with Lomadhi. These thirty kings will rule the world for four-hundred-fifty-six years, o son of the Kurus [***].

His brother, named Krishna, will then become the next ruler of the earth and the son of S'ântakarna, his son, will be Paurnamâsa. After Lambodara, his son, will Cibilaka be the king and from Cibilaka will come Meghasvâti of whom there will be Athamâna followed by Anishthakarmâ. Of Hâleya, his son, will Talaka appear of whose son Purîshabhîru then Sunandana will be the king. Cakora [his son] will be followed by the eight Bahus, among whom S'ivasvâti will be a great subduer of enemies. Of Gomatî, his son, there will be Purîmân, whose son will be Medas'irâ. S'ivaskanda of him will have Yajñas'rî for his son after whom next Vijaya, his son, will have Candravijña along with Lomadhi. These thirty kings will rule the world for four-hundred-fifty-six years, o son of the Kurus [***]. (Vedabase)

Text 27

From the city of Avabhriti then will follow seven Âbhîra kings, ten Gardabhîs, and sixteen Kanka kings who as earthly rulers will be most greedy.

From the city of Avabhriti then will follow seven Âbhîra kings, ten Gardabhîs, and sixteen Kanka kings who as earthly rulers will be most greedy. (Vedabase)

Text 28

Then will eight Yavanas follow, fourteen Turushkas and furthermore ten Gurundas and eleven Maulas.

Then will eight Yavanas follow, fourteen Turushkas and furthermore ten Gurundas and eleven Maulas. (Vedabase)

Text 29-31

These [first six dynasties] will rule the earth for one thousand ninety-nine years, and the eleven Maulas will rule for three hundred years, my dear. With them all dead and gogone in the city of Kilakilâ for one-hundred-and-six years the kings Bhûtangiri with next S'is'unandi and then his brother Yas'onandi and Pravîraka will rule.

These [first six dynasties] will rule the earth for one thousand ninety-nine years, and the eleven Maulas will rule for three hundred years, my dear. With them all dead and gone will in the city of Kilakilâ for one-hundred-and-six years rule the kings Bhûtananda followed by Vangiri with next S'is'unandi and then his brother Yas'onandi and Pravîraka. (Vedabase)

Text 32-33

To them [the Kilakilâs] thirteen sons will be born called the Bâhlikas after whom Pushpamitra and next his son king Durmitra as well as also seven Andhras, seven Kaus'alas and also the rulers of Vidûra and the Nishadhas then in the same period will reign.

Of them [the Kilakilâs] there will be thirteen sons called the Bâhlikas after whom Pushpamitra and next his son king Durmitra as well as also seven Andhras, seven Kaus'alas and also the rulers of Vidûra and the Nishadhas then at the same time will be sure to rule as kings. (Vedabase)

Text 34

In the province of Mâgadha Vis'vasphûrji will appear, who like another Purañjaya will turn the people of all classes into inferior Pulindas, Yadus and Madrakas [low-class, uncivilized men, see *4].

To the province of Mâgadha there will be Vis'vasphûrji, who like another Purañjaya will turn the people of all classes into inferior Pulindas, Yadus and Madrakas [low-class, uncivilized men, see *4]. (Vedabase)

Text 35

The unintelligent king, who protected in the city of Padmavatî will rule over the earth from the source of the Gangâ to Prayâga, will, predominantly being unbrahminical with the citizens, ruin the almighty class of the kshatriyas.

The unintelligent king, protected in the city of Padmavatî ruling over the earth from the source of the Gangâ to Prayâga, will, predominantly being unbrahminical with the citizens, ruin the almighty class of the kshatriyas. (Vedabase)

Text 36

The twice-born living in the provinces S'aurâshthra, Avantî, Âbhîra, S'ûra, Arbuda and Mâlava will [at that time] fall away from their vows and the ones ranking first among the people will become no better than s'ûdras.

The twice-born living in the provinces S'aurâshthra, Avantî, Âbhîra, S'ûra, Arbuda and Mâlava will [at that time] fall from their vows and the ones coming first among the people will become no better than s'ûdras. (Vedabase)

Text 37

The lands at the river Sindhu, as well as the districts of Candrabhâgâ, Kauntî and Kâs'mîra, will be ruled by uncivilized men [mlecchas], s'ûdras and others who, lacking spiritual strength, deviate from the standard.

The lands at the river Sindhu, as well as the districts of Candrabhâgâ, Kauntî and Kâs'mîra, will be ruled by uncivilized men [mlecchas], s'ûdras and others who, missing the spiritual strength, deviate from the standard. (Vedabase)

Text 38

O King, these mostly ignorant earthly caretakers dedicated to irreligious and unrealistic practices will, with fierce tempers [competing to rule] at the same time allow their subjects hardly any freedom [economically].

O King, these mostly ignorant earthly caretakers dedicated to irreligious and unrealistic practices will, with fierce tempers [competing to rule] at the same time [zone-time...], leave little room for their subjects [economically]. (Vedabase)

Text 39

Destroying the lives of women, children, cows and converted people, they, then elated, then moderate and [then again] depressed, will, coveting the wives of other men, mostly miss the goodness and have short lives [or careers]. Lacking in sacrifice not being fit for the job they, these ignoramuses posing as kings, under the sway of passion and ignorance, will virtually devour the citizens.

Destroying the lives of women, children, cows and converted people, do they, coveting the wives of other men, elated, moderate and [then again] depressed, poor in goodness mostly have short lives [or careers]. Lacking in sacrifice not fit for the job will they, these ignoramuses posing as kings, under the sway of passion and ignorance, virtually devour the citizens. (Vedabase)

Text 40

The people in the cities will, led by these rulers their character, behavior and speech, plagued by these so-called 'kings' and by each other, find their lives ruined [in wars, economic collapse and natural disasters, see also kles'a, Kali-yuga and B.G. 16: 6-12].'

The people in the cities will, with these rulers their character, behavior and speech, pained by the 'kings' and by each other, find ruination [in wars, economic collapse and natural disaster, see also kles'a, Kali-yuga and B.G. 16: 6-12]. (Vedabase)

* The paramparâ of ISKCON left out this first line of Parîkchit questioning, where other sources like S'astri C.L. Gosvâmî do begin this chapter thus.

** The paramparâ adds: 'The great historical narration S'rîmad Bhâgavatam, which began with the events prior to the cosmic manifestation, now reaches into the realm of modern recorded history. Modern historians recognize both the Maurya dynasty and Candragupta, the king mentioned in the following verse.' [pp. 12.1.11]

*** According an academic translator of the Bhâgavatam, Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare [1989, Morilal Banarsidass], this period would be found short before the beginning of the christian year count. Analyzing this text in reference to historical sources he, stating that there are many discrepancies with the cultural [manipulated?] records, also concludes that historically the Kanva-dynasty would have only ruled for forty-five years from 75 to 30 B.C., and not for the three hundred forty five as the Sanskrit text states here. According to him this part of the Bhâgavatam would have been of a later date and consist of a mishmash of hearsay historical knowledge, which is a position contested by the paramparâ of course since it is more likely to err in the discordance of worldly interest than in the harmony of a consciousness motivated by spiritual discipline.

*4: The total span of generations covered here from the first Purañjaya to the last one in the line of the Kali-yuga decay, so would have stretched from about 2000 B.C. to about the twelfth century AD.