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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
3.11.133.11.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.14

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

संवत्सर: परिवत्सर इडावत्सर एव च ।

अनुवत्सरो वत्सरश्च विदुरैवं प्रभाष्यते ॥ १४ ॥

saṁvatsaraḥ parivatsara

iḍā-vatsara eva ca

anuvatsaro vatsaraś ca

viduraivaṁ prabhāṣyate

Translation

There are five different names for the orbits of the sun, moon, stars and luminaries in the firmament, and they each have their own saṁvatsara.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Above All Knowledge Is the Supreme’s Control

  1. 1

    The orbits of the sun, moon, stars and luminaries have five different names, and each has its own saṁvatsara.

  2. 2

    Above all branches of knowledge is the supreme control of kāla, the plenary representation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Nothing exists without Him.

  3. 3

    Even the powerful sun rotates within the fixed orbit of eternal time under the Lord’s control. The Brahma-saṁhitā therefore offers worship to Govinda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • The subject matters of physics, chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, time and space dealt with in the above verses of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam are certainly very interesting to students of the particular subject, but as far as we are concerned, we cannot explain them very thoroughly in terms of technical knowledge.
  • The subject is summarized by the statement that above all the different branches of knowledge is the supreme control of kāla, the plenary representation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Nothing exists without Him, and therefore everything, however wonderful it may appear to our meager knowledge, is but the work of the magical wand of the Supreme Lord.

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. saṁvatsaraḥorbit of the sun
  2. parivatsaraḥcircumambulation of Bṛhaspati
  3. iḍā-vatsaraḥorbit of the stars
  4. evaas they are
  5. caalso
  6. anuvatsaraḥorbit of the moon
  7. vatsaraḥone calendar year
  8. caalso
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.11

    In this verse: “worship”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can learning about the world lead you toward worship of the Supreme Lord?

Practice

When you next check the time, pause to offer a brief expression of worship to Govinda.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAbove All Knowledge Is the Supreme’s ControlThis 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 3.11.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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