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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
3.11.303.11.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.31

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

तावत्‍त्रिभुवनं सद्य: कल्पान्तैधितसिन्धव: ।

प्लावयन्त्युत्कटाटोपचण्डवातेरितोर्मय: ॥ ३१ ॥

tāvat tri-bhuvanaṁ sadyaḥ

kalpāntaidhita-sindhavaḥ

plāvayanty utkaṭāṭopa-

caṇḍa-vāteritormayaḥ

Translation

At the beginning of the devastation all the seas overflow, and hurricane winds blow very violently. Thus the waves of the seas become ferocious, and in no time at all the three worlds are full of water.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Material Progress Cannot Prevent Devastation

  1. 1

    The fire from Saṅkarṣaṇa’s mouth rages for 36,000 human years. Another 36,000 years of torrential rain, violent winds and waves follow.

  2. 2

    These 72,000 years mark the beginning of the partial devastation. The overflowing seas fill the three worlds with water.

  3. 3

    People forget these devastations and think themselves happy in the material progress of civilization. This is called māyā, or “that which is not.”

Key points from the purport
  • Then for another 36,000 years there are torrents of rain, accompanied by violent winds and waves, and the seas and oceans overflow.
  • These reactions of 72,000 years are the beginning of the partial devastation of the three worlds.
  • People forget all these devastations of the worlds and think themselves happy in the material progress of civilization.

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. tāvatthen
  2. tri-bhuvanamall the three worlds
  3. sadyaḥimmediately after
  4. kalpa-antain the beginning of the devastation
  5. edhitainflated
  6. sindhavaḥall the oceans
  7. plāvayantiinundate
  8. utkaṭaviolent
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “māyā”, “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where do I look to material progress for happiness while forgetting its temporary nature?

Practice

Take one minute to reflect on a material comfort you rely on and acknowledge that it cannot last forever.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMaterial Progress Cannot Prevent DevastationThis 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.

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