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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
3.11.343.11.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.35

Sarga· Creation
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

पूर्वस्यादौ परार्धस्य ब्राह्मो नाम महानभूत् ।

कल्पो यत्राभवद्ब्रह्मा शब्दब्रह्मेति यं विदु: ॥ ३५ ॥

pūrvasyādau parārdhasya

brāhmo nāma mahān abhūt

kalpo yatrābhavad brahmā

śabda-brahmeti yaṁ viduḥ

Translation

In the beginning of the first half of Brahmā’s life, there was a millennium called Brāhma-kalpa, wherein Lord Brahmā appeared. The birth of the Vedas was simultaneous with Brahmā’s birth.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Brahmā and the Vedas Appear Together

  1. 1

    At the beginning of the first half of Brahmā’s life was the Brāhma-kalpa. Brahmā and the Vedas appeared simultaneously.

  2. 2

    Thirty days make one month of Brahmā, and twelve months make one year. Fifty years complete one parārdha, or half of his life.

  3. 3

    The purport associates the Lord’s Śveta-varāha appearance with Brahmā’s first birthday. According to Hindu astronomical calculation, Brahmā’s birth date falls in March.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Padma Purāṇa (Prabhāsa-khaṇḍa), in thirty days of Brahmā many kalpas take place, such as the Varāha-kalpa and Pitṛ-kalpa.
  • Thirty days make one month of Brahmā, beginning from the full moon to the disappearance of the moon.
  • The Śveta-varāha appearance of the Lord is the first birthday of Brahmā.

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. pūrvasyaof the first half
  2. ādauin the beginning
  3. para-ardhasyaof the superior half
  4. brāhmaḥBrāhma-kalpa
  5. nāmaof the name
  6. mahānvery great
  7. abhūtwas manifest
  8. kalpaḥmillennium
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sarga · The creation of the universe

    Where does the universe come from? · Subject 1 of 10

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What stands out to me about the Vedas appearing simultaneously with Brahmā?

Practice

Write a short study note linking Brāhma-kalpa with the simultaneous appearance of Brahmā and the Vedas.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBrahmā and the Vedas Appear TogetherThis 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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