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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 3 · Chapter 11: Calculation of Time, from the Atom
3.11.123.11.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.13

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

ग्रहर्क्षताराचक्रस्थ: परमाण्वादिना जगत् ।

संवत्सरावसानेन पर्येत्यनिमिषो विभु: ॥ १३ ॥

graharkṣa-tārā-cakra-sthaḥ

paramāṇv-ādinā jagat

saṁvatsarāvasānena

paryety animiṣo vibhuḥ

Translation

Influential stars, planets, luminaries and atoms all over the universe are rotating in their respective orbits under the direction of the Supreme, represented by eternal kāla.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

All Orbits Follow the Supreme’s Direction

  1. 1

    Stars, planets, luminaries and atoms move in their respective orbits under the direction of the Supreme, represented by eternal kāla.

  2. 2

    The Brahma-saṁhitā describes the sun as the eye of the Supreme. It rotates in its particular orbit of time.

  3. 3

    From the sun down to the atom, all bodies are under the influence of the kāla-cakra, or orbit of eternal time. Each has a scheduled orbital time of one saṁvatsara.

Key points from the purport
  • In the Brahma-saṁhitā it is stated that the sun is the eye of the Supreme and it rotates in its particular orbit of time.
  • Similarly, beginning from the sun down to the atom, all bodies are under the influence of the kāla-cakra, or the orbit of eternal time, and each of them has a scheduled orbital time of one saṁvatsara.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. grahainfluential planets like the moon
  2. ṛkṣaluminaries like Aśvinī
  3. tārāstars
  4. cakra-sthaḥin the orbit
  5. parama-aṇu-ādināalong with the atoms
  6. jagatthe entire universe
  7. saṁvatsara-avasānenaby the end of one year
  8. paryeticompletes its orbit
  9. animiṣaḥthe eternal time
  10. vibhuḥthe Almighty
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

What changes in your outlook when you see these movements as directed by the Supreme?

Practice

Look at the sky today and briefly remember that its bodies move under the Supreme’s direction.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAll Orbits Follow the Supreme’s DirectionThis 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 3.11.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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