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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 2 · The Cosmic Manifestation · 10 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 2 · Chapter 8: Questions by King Parīkṣit
2.8.112.8.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.8.12

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Kingsince 2.8.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यावान् कल्पोविकल्पो वा यथा कालोऽनुमीयते ।

भूतभव्यभवच्छब्द आयुर्मानं च यत् सत: ॥ १२ ॥

yāvān kalpo vikalpo vā

yathā kālo ’numīyate

bhūta-bhavya-bhavac-chabda

āyur-mānaṁ ca yat sataḥ

Translation

Also please explain the duration of time between creation and annihilation, and that of other subsidiary creations, as well as the nature of time, indicated by the sound of past, present and future. Also, please explain the duration and measurement of life of the different living beings known as the demigods, the human beings, etc., in different planets of the universe.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Time Measures the Universe and Life

  1. 1

    Past, present and future are different features of time. They indicate the duration of the universe and everything within it.

  2. 2

    The inquiry includes the time between creation and annihilation, along with the duration of subsidiary creations.

  3. 3

    Time also measures the lives of different living beings. The verse asks about the lifespans of demigods, human beings and others on different planets.

Key points from the purport
  • Past, present and future are different features of time to indicate the duration of life for the universe and all its paraphernalia, including the different living beings in different planets.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Inquiry → Conviction. Divine knowledge resolves fundamental cosmic uncertainty.

Chapters 8–10 of Canto 2: Parīkṣit questions; Brahmā receives revelation. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 8: Questions by King Parīkṣit

Parīkṣit requests further hearing about Kṛṣṇa and asks questions about creation, time, duty, and devotional service.

Back to this verse in chapter 2.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yāvānas it is
  2. kalpaḥthe duration of time between creation and annihilation
  3. vikalpaḥsubsidiary creation and annihilation
  4. vāeither
  5. yathāas also
  6. kālaḥthe time
  7. anumīyateis measured
  8. bhūtapast
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 2.8

    In this verse: “inquiry”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does considering the duration of the universe broaden my view of my own lifespan?

Practice

List the three subjects whose durations are asked about: the universe, subsidiary creations and living beings.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTime Measures the Universe and LifeThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

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