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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
3.11.283.11.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.29

Nirodha· Winding up
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

तमेवान्वपिधीयन्ते लोको भूरादयस्त्रय: ।

निशायामनुवृत्तायां निर्मुक्तशशिभास्करम् ॥ २९ ॥

tam evānv api dhīyante

lokā bhūr-ādayas trayaḥ

niśāyām anuvṛttāyāṁ

nirmukta-śaśi-bhāskaram

Translation

When the night of Brahmā ensues, all the three worlds are out of sight, and the sun and the moon are without glare, just as in the due course of an ordinary night.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Luminaries Remain Beyond the Dissolved Worlds

  1. 1

    During Brahmā’s night, the three worlds are out of sight, without the glare of the sun and moon.

  2. 2

    The sun and moon themselves do not vanish. They appear in the remaining universe beyond the three worlds.

  3. 3

    The dissolved region has neither sun rays nor moonglow. It remains dark, full of water, and filled with unceasing winds.

Key points from the purport
  • It is understood that the glare of the sun and moon disappear from the sphere of the three worlds, but the sun and the moon themselves do not vanish.
  • They appear in the remaining portion of the universe, which is beyond the sphere of the three worlds.
  • The portion in dissolution remains without sun rays or moonglow.

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. tamthat
  2. evacertainly
  3. anuafter
  4. api dhīyanteare out of sight
  5. lokāḥthe planets
  6. bhūḥ-ādayaḥthe three worlds: Bhūḥ, Bhuvaḥ and Svaḥ
  7. trayaḥthree
  8. niśāyāmin the night
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this verse distinguish being out of sight from ceasing to exist?

Practice

Write one sentence explaining why the darkness of the three worlds does not mean the sun and moon have vanished.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Luminaries Remain Beyond the Dissolved WorldsThis 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 3.11.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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