Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.11.16
Sthāna· The universe in orderDifferent Planets Have Different Schedules of Time
“Vidura said: I now understand the life durations of the residents of the Pitā planets and heavenly planets as well as that of the human beings. Now kindly inform me of the durations of life of those greatly learned living entities who are beyond the range of a kalpa.”
What the purport teaches
- Having understood the lifespans of humans and residents of the Pitā and heavenly planets, Vidura asks about greatly learned beings beyond the range of a kalpa.
- The partial dissolution at the end of Brahmā’s day does not affect all planetary systems. The planets of sages such as Sanaka and Bhṛgu remain unaffected.
- Different planets are controlled by different schedules of eternal time, or kāla-cakra. Earth’s measure of time does not apply to more elevated planets.
Try this today
Write one clear question about something in this teaching that you do not yet understand.
Ask yourself
What can you learn from Vidura’s habit of asking further questions after understanding a teaching?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.