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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
3.11.333.11.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.34

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

यदर्धमायुषस्तस्य परार्धमभिधीयते ।

पूर्व: परार्धोऽपक्रान्तो ह्यपरोऽद्य प्रवर्तते ॥ ३४ ॥

yad ardham āyuṣas tasya

parārdham abhidhīyate

pūrvaḥ parārdho ’pakrānto

hy aparo ’dya pravartate

Translation

The one hundred years of Brahmā’s life are divided into two parts, the first half and the second half. The first half of the duration of Brahmā’s life is already over, and the second half is now current.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Even Brahmā’s Life Has an End

  1. 1

    Brahmā’s one hundred years are divided into two halves.

  2. 2

    Fifty years of Brahmā’s life have already passed. The second half is now current, with fifty years yet to be completed.

  3. 3

    When those remaining years are completed, death is inevitable for Brahmā also. Even his vast lifespan has a definite end.

Key points from the purport
  • The duration of one hundred years in the life of Brahmā has already been discussed in many places in this work, and it is described in Bhagavad-gītā (8.17) also.
  • Fifty years of the life of Brahmā are already over, and fifty years are yet to be completed; then, for Brahmā also, death is inevitable.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 3.11.34 quotesBG 8.17

The duration of one hundred years in the life of Brahmā has already been discussed in many places in this work, and it is described in Bhagavad-gītā (8.17) also.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. yatthat which
  2. ardhamhalf
  3. āyuṣaḥof the duration of life
  4. tasyahis
  5. parārdhama parārdha
  6. abhidhīyateis called
  7. pūrvaḥthe former
  8. para-ardhaḥhalf of the duration of life
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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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “death”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does Brahmā’s finite lifespan teach me about assuming there is always more time?

Practice

Write one sentence reflecting on the fact that even the longest material life ends.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEven Brahmā’s Life Has an EndThis 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 3.11.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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