1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
3.11.163.11.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.17

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.11.16inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

भगवान् वेद कालस्य गतिं भगवतो ननु ।

विश्वं विचक्षते धीरा योगराद्धेन चक्षुषा ॥ १७ ॥

bhagavān veda kālasya

gatiṁ bhagavato nanu

viśvaṁ vicakṣate dhīrā

yoga-rāddhena cakṣuṣā

Translation

O spiritually powerful one, you can understand the movements of eternal time, which is the controlling form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because you are a self-realized person, you can see everything by the power of mystic vision.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotees Understand Through the Lord’s Grace

  1. 1

    Eternal time is the controlling form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Those with the highest perfection of mystic power who see past, present and future are called tri-kāla-jñas.

  2. 2

    Devotees of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa can clearly understand what is in the revealed scriptures. They can understand the science of Kṛṣṇa and the situation of the material and spiritual creations.

  3. 3

    Devotees do not need to strive for yoga-siddhi, or mystic perfection. Their understanding comes by the grace of the Lord, who sits in everyone’s heart.

Key points from the purport
  • Those who have reached the highest perfectional stage of mystic power and can see everything in the past, present and future are called tri-kāla-jñas.
  • Similarly, the devotees of the Lord can see everything clearly that is in the revealed scriptures.
  • They are competent to understand everything by the grace of the Lord, who is sitting in everyone’s heart.

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. bhagavānO spiritually powerful one
  2. vedayou know
  3. kālasyaof the eternal time
  4. gatimmovements
  5. bhagavataḥof the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  6. nanuas a matter of course
  7. viśvamthe whole universe
  8. vicakṣatesee
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understand”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can you place more trust in the Lord’s grace than in gaining extraordinary powers?

Practice

Before reading a passage of revealed scripture today, ask Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa for the grace to understand it as His devotee.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotees Understand Through the Lord’s GraceThis 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 3.11.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories