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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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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 11: Calculation of Time, from the Atom
3.11.93.11.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.10

Sthāna· The universe in order
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

यामाश्चत्वारश्चत्वारो मर्त्यानामहनी उभे ।

पक्ष: पञ्चदशाहानि शुक्ल: कृष्णश्च मानद ॥ १० ॥

yāmāś catvāraś catvāro

martyānām ahanī ubhe

pakṣaḥ pañca-daśāhāni

śuklaḥ kṛṣṇaś ca mānada

Translation

It is calculated that there are four praharas, which are also called yāmas, in the day and four in the night of the human being. Similarly, fifteen days and nights are a fortnight, and there are two fortnights, white and black, in a month.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Days, Nights, Fortnights and Months

  1. 1

    The human day has four praharas, and the night also has four.

  2. 2

    Praharas are also called yāmas. Fifteen days and nights make one fortnight.

  3. 3

    A month contains two fortnights, called white and black.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yāmāḥthree hours
  2. catvāraḥfour
  3. catvāraḥand four
  4. martyānāmof the human beings
  5. ahanīduration of day
  6. ubheboth day and night
  7. pakṣaḥfortnight
  8. pañca-daśafifteen
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does grouping days and nights into fortnights help you picture a month?

Practice

Draw a month as two groups of fifteen days and nights, labeling the fortnights white and black.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDays, Nights, Fortnights and MonthsThis 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 3.11.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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