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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
3.11.13.11.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.2

Sarga· Creation
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

सत एव पदार्थस्य स्वरूपावस्थितस्य यत् ।

कैवल्यं परममहानविशेषो निरन्तर: ॥ २ ॥

sata eva padārthasya

svarūpāvasthitasya yat

kaivalyaṁ parama-mahān

aviśeṣo nirantaraḥ

Translation

Atoms are the ultimate state of the manifest universe. When they stay in their own forms without forming different bodies, they are called the unlimited oneness. There are certainly different bodies in physical forms, but the atoms themselves form the complete manifestation.

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.

Atoms and the Complete Material Manifestation

  1. 1

    Atoms are the ultimate state of the manifest universe.

  2. 2

    When atoms remain in their own forms without forming different bodies, they are called the unlimited oneness.

  3. 3

    Physical bodies have different forms, but atoms make up the complete manifestation.

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. sataḥof the effective manifestation
  2. evacertainly
  3. pada-arthasyaof physical bodies
  4. svarūpa-avasthitasyastaying in the same form even to the time of dissolution
  5. yatthat which
  6. kaivalyamoneness
  7. paramathe supreme
  8. mahānunlimited
  9. aviśeṣaḥforms
  10. nirantaraḥeternally
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sarga · The creation of the universe

    Where does the universe come from? · Subject 1 of 10

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this verse distinguish different physical forms from their atomic composition?

Practice

Notice two objects with different forms and recall that atoms make up both.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAtoms and the Complete Material ManifestationThis 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 3.11.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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