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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
3.11.143.11.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.15

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

य: सृज्यशक्तिमुरुधोच्छ्‌वसयन् स्वशक्त्या

पुंसोऽभ्रमाय दिवि धावति भूतभेद: ।

कालाख्यया गुणमयं क्रतुभिर्वितन्वं-

स्तस्मै बलिं हरत वत्सरपञ्चकाय ॥ १५ ॥

yaḥ sṛjya-śaktim urudhocchvasayan sva-śaktyā

puṁso ’bhramāya divi dhāvati bhūta-bhedaḥ

kālākhyayā guṇamayaṁ kratubhir vitanvaṁs

tasmai baliṁ harata vatsara-pañcakāya

Translation

O Vidura, the sun enlivens all living entities with his unlimited heat and light. He diminishes the duration of life of all living entities in order to release them from their illusion of material attachment, and he enlarges the path of elevation to the heavenly kingdom. He thus moves in the firmament with great velocity, and therefore everyone should offer him respects once every five years with all ingredients of worship.

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.

The Sun Sustains Life and Shortens It

  1. 1

    The sun enlivens all living entities with his unlimited heat and light.

  2. 2

    He diminishes their duration of life to release them from the illusion of material attachment. He also enlarges the path of elevation to the heavenly kingdom.

  3. 3

    The sun moves through the firmament with great velocity. The verse directs everyone to offer him respects every five years with all ingredients of worship.

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. yaḥone who
  2. sṛjyaof creation
  3. śaktimthe seeds
  4. urudhāin various ways
  5. ucchvasayaninvigorating
  6. sva-śaktyāby his own energy
  7. puṁsaḥof the living entity
  8. abhramāyato dissipate darkness
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attachment”, “illusion”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worship”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.11

    In this verse: “kingdom”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can the passing of each day help you reconsider your material attachments?

Practice

Name one material attachment today and reflect on it in light of your diminishing lifespan.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Sun Sustains Life and Shortens ItThis 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 3.11.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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