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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
3.11.323.11.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.33

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

एवंविधैरहोरात्रै: कालगत्योपलक्षितै: ।

अपक्षितमिवास्यापि परमायुर्वय: शतम् ॥ ३३ ॥

evaṁ-vidhair aho-rātraiḥ

kāla-gatyopalakṣitaiḥ

apakṣitam ivāsyāpi

paramāyur vayaḥ-śatam

Translation

Thus the process of the exhaustion of the duration of life exists for every one of the living beings, including Lord Brahmā. One’s life endures for only one hundred years, in terms of the times in the different planets.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Limited Life for Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Living beings have one hundred years according to the time measured for their different planets and forms of life. These durations are not equal, and even Brahmā’s very long life expires.

  2. 2

    Brahmā fears death and performs devotional service to the Lord to become free from illusory energy. His long life does not remove the need for devotion.

  3. 3

    Human beings should not waste valuable time in enjoyment without concern for the future. Everyone must responsibly prepare for the next life through devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • Every living being lives for one hundred years in terms of the times in different planets for different entities.
  • The longest duration of one hundred years belongs to Brahmā, but although the life of Brahmā is very long, it expires in the course of time.
  • It is necessary that every human being be responsible in preparing himself for the next life, even if he has a duration of life like that of Brahmā, the greatest of all living creatures within the universe.

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. evamthus
  2. vidhaiḥby the process of
  3. ahaḥdays
  4. rātraiḥby nights
  5. kāla-gatyāadvancement of time
  6. upalakṣitaiḥby such symptoms
  7. apakṣitamdeclined
  8. ivajust like
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.11

    In this verse: “fears”, “death”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.11

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.11

    In this verse: “free from”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How am I using my valuable time to prepare responsibly for the next life?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today for devotional service to the Lord instead of an unnecessary distraction.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Limited Life for Devotional ServiceThis 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 3.11.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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