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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
3.11.203.11.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.21

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
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

धर्मश्चतुष्पान्मनुजान् कृते समनुवर्तते ।

स एवान्येष्वधर्मेण व्येति पादेन वर्धता ॥ २१ ॥

dharmaś catuṣ-pān manujān

kṛte samanuvartate

sa evānyeṣv adharmeṇa

vyeti pādena vardhatā

Translation

O Vidura, in the Satya millennium mankind properly and completely maintained the principles of religion, but in other millenniums religion gradually decreased by one part as irreligion was proportionately admitted.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Religion Declines as Irreligion Increases

  1. 1

    In the Satya millennium, mankind properly and completely maintained the principles of religion.

  2. 2

    In each subsequent millennium, religion decreased by one part as irreligion increased proportionately.

  3. 3

    At present there is one part religion and three parts irreligion. The purport explains that people are therefore not very happy.

Key points from the purport
  • In the Satya millennium, complete execution of religious principles prevailed.
  • Gradually, the principles of religion decreased by one part in each of the subsequent millenniums.
  • In other words, at present there is one part religion and three parts irreligion.

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. dharmaḥreligion
  2. catuḥ-pātcomplete four dimensions
  3. manujānmankind
  4. kṛtein the Satya-yuga
  5. samanuvartateproperly maintained
  6. saḥthat
  7. evacertainly
  8. anyeṣuin other
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “religion”, “principles”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might neglecting religious principles affect my happiness?

Practice

Identify one religious principle you already follow, and take special care to uphold it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReligion Declines as Irreligion IncreasesThis 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 3.11.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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