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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 11: Calculation of Time, from the Atom
3.11.193.11.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.20

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.11.18inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

सन्ध्यासन्ध्यांशयोरन्तर्य: काल: शतसंख्ययो: ।

तमेवाहुर्युगं तज्ज्ञा यत्र धर्मो विधीयते ॥ २० ॥

sandhyā-sandhyāṁśayor antar

yaḥ kālaḥ śata-saṅkhyayoḥ

tam evāhur yugaṁ taj-jñā

yatra dharmo vidhīyate

Translation

The transitional periods before and after every millennium, which are a few hundred years as aforementioned, are known as yuga-sandhyās, or the conjunctions of two millenniums, according to the expert astronomers. In those periods all kinds of religious activities are performed.

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.

Yuga Transitions Include Religious Activities

  1. 1

    Every millennium has transitional periods before and after it.

  2. 2

    Expert astronomers call these periods yuga-sandhyās, or conjunctions of two millenniums. They last a few hundred years as previously described.

  3. 3

    All kinds of religious activities are performed during these transitional periods.

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. sandhyātransitional period before
  2. sandhyā-aṁśayoḥand transitional period after
  3. antaḥwithin
  4. yaḥthat which
  5. kālaḥduration of time
  6. śata-saṅkhyayoḥhundreds of years
  7. tam evathat period
  8. āhuḥthey call
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.11

    In this verse: “religious”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What stands out to you about religious activities being performed during these transitions?

Practice

Write a one-sentence definition of yuga-sandhyās, including the religious activities performed during them.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayYuga Transitions Include Religious ActivitiesThis 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 3.11.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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