SB 12.2.36
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Please note: The synonyms, translation and purport of this verse were composed by disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda
TEXT 36
- eteṣāṁ nāma-liṅgānāṁ
- puruṣāṇāṁ mahātmanām
- kathā-mātrāvaśiṣṭānāṁ
- kīrtir eva sthitā bhuvi
SYNONYMS
eteṣām — of these; nāma — their names; liṅgānām — which are the only means of remembering them; puruṣāṇām — of the personalities; mahā-ātmanām — who were great souls; kathā — the stories; mātra — merely; avaśiṣṭānām — whose remaining portion; kīrtiḥ — the glories; eva — only; sthitā — are present; bhuvi — on the earth.
Translation and purport composed by disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda
TRANSLATION
These personalities, who were great souls, are now known only by their names. They exist only in accounts from the past, and only their fame remains on the earth.
PURPORT
Although one may consider oneself to be a great, powerful leader, he will ultimately end up as a name in a long list of names. In other words, it is useless to be attached to power and position in the material world.