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

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Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 3 · Chapter 11: Calculation of Time, from the Atom
3.10.303.11.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.1

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.10.11inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

चरम: सद्विशेषाणामनेकोऽसंयुत: सदा ।

परमाणु: स विज्ञेयो नृणामैक्यभ्रमो यत: ॥ १ ॥

maitreya uvāca

caramaḥ sad-viśeṣāṇām

aneko ’saṁyutaḥ sadā

paramāṇuḥ sa vijñeyo

nṛṇām aikya-bhramo yataḥ

Translation

The material manifestation’s ultimate particle, which is indivisible and not formed into a body, is called the atom. It exists always as an invisible identity, even after the dissolution of all forms. The material body is but a combination of such atoms, but it is misunderstood by the common man.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Atoms Underlie the Material Body

  1. 1

    The atom is described as the ultimate indivisible particle, invisible and not formed into a body. It remains even after the dissolution of all forms.

  2. 2

    The material body is a combination of atoms, though the common person misunderstands it.

  3. 3

    Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam includes descriptions of knowledge such as the theory of atomism. The purport calls the atom the minute subtle form of eternal time.

Key points from the purport
  • The atomic description of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is almost the same as the modern science of atomism, and this is further described in the Paramāṇu-vāda of Kaṇāda.
  • In modern science also, the atom is accepted as the ultimate indivisible particle of which the universe is composed.
  • The atom is the minute subtle form of eternal time.

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

Mystery → Cosmic wonder. The origin of the world is revealed through inquiry and divine grace.

Chapters 5–12 of Canto 3: Creation and Brahmā's bewilderment. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 11: Calculation of Time, from the Atom

Maitreya describes time from atomic measurements to Brahmā’s lifespan, along with cycles of creation and devastation.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.11
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. maitreyaḥ uvācaMaitreya said
  2. caramaḥultimate
  3. sateffect
  4. viśeṣāṇāmsymptoms
  5. anekaḥinnumerable
  6. asaṁyutaḥunmixed
  7. sadāalways
  8. parama-aṇuḥatoms
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sarga · The creation of the universe

    Where does the universe come from? · Subject 1 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.11

    In this verse: “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.11

    In this verse: “knowledge”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does seeing the body as a combination of atoms change your understanding of it?

Practice

Look at your hand and recall the verse’s description of the material body as a combination of atoms.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAtoms Underlie the Material BodyThis 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 3.11.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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