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

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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
3.11.153.11.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.16

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.11.16inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

विदुर उवाच

पितृदेवमनुष्याणामायु: परमिदं स्मृतम् ।

परेषां गतिमाचक्ष्व ये स्यु:कल्पाद् बहिर्विद: ॥ १६ ॥

vidura uvāca

pitṛ-deva-manuṣyāṇām

āyuḥ param idaṁ smṛtam

pareṣāṁ gatim ācakṣva

ye syuḥ kalpād bahir vidaḥ

Translation

Vidura said: I now understand the life durations of the residents of the Pitā planets and heavenly planets as well as that of the human beings. Now kindly inform me of the durations of life of those greatly learned living entities who are beyond the range of a kalpa.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Different Planets Have Different Schedules of Time

  1. 1

    Having understood the lifespans of humans and residents of the Pitā and heavenly planets, Vidura asks about greatly learned beings beyond the range of a kalpa.

  2. 2

    The partial dissolution at the end of Brahmā’s day does not affect all planetary systems. The planets of sages such as Sanaka and Bhṛgu remain unaffected.

  3. 3

    Different planets are controlled by different schedules of eternal time, or kāla-cakra. Earth’s measure of time does not apply to more elevated planets.

Key points from the purport
  • The planets of highly learned living entities like the sages Sanaka and Bhṛgu are not affected by the dissolutions of the millenniums.
  • The time of the earth planet is not applicable to other, more elevated planets.
  • Therefore, Vidura herein inquires about the duration of life on other planets.

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. viduraḥ uvācaVidura said
  2. pitṛthe Pitā planets
  3. devathe heavenly planets
  4. manuṣyāṇāmand that of the human beings
  5. āyuḥduration of life
  6. paramfinal
  7. idamin their own measurement
  8. smṛtamcalculated
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: “understand”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.11

    In this verse: “kindly”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What can you learn from Vidura’s habit of asking further questions after understanding a teaching?

Practice

Write one clear question about something in this teaching that you do not yet understand.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.11's connections

Live this todayDifferent Planets Have Different Schedules of TimeThis 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 3.11.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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