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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 11: Calculation of Time, from the Atom
3.11.363.11.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.37

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

अयं तु कथित: कल्पो द्वितीयस्यापि भारत ।

वाराह इति विख्यातो यत्रासीच्छूकरो हरि: ॥ ३७ ॥

ayaṁ tu kathitaḥ kalpo

dvitīyasyāpi bhārata

vārāha iti vikhyāto

yatrāsīc chūkaro hariḥ

Translation

O descendant of Bharata, the first millennium in the second half of the life of Brahmā is also known as the Vārāha millennium because the Personality of Godhead appeared in that millennium as the hog incarnation.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Understand the Kalpas by the Text

  1. 1

    The first millennium of the second half of Brahmā’s life is known as the Vārāha millennium. The Personality of Godhead appeared then as the hog incarnation.

  2. 2

    The names Brāhma, Pādma and Vārāha can puzzle a beginner. Some scholars regard these kalpas as one and the same.

  3. 3

    The purport advises us simply to abide by the text. We can understand that the present millennium belongs to the second half of Brahmā’s life.

Key points from the purport
  • The different millenniums known as the Brāhma, Pādma and Vārāha kalpas appear a little puzzling for the layman.
  • According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, the Brāhma-kalpa in the beginning of the first half appears to be the Pādma-kalpa.
  • We can, however, simply abide by the text and understand that the present millennium is in the second half of the duration of the life 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. ayamthis
  2. tubut
  3. kathitaḥknown as
  4. kalpaḥthe current millennium
  5. dvitīyasyaof the second half
  6. apicertainly
  7. bhārataO descendant of Bharata
  8. vārāhaḥVārāha
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.11

    In this verse: “understand”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When details seem puzzling, can I patiently hold to what the text clearly states?

Practice

Write down the clear conclusion: the present millennium is in the second half of Brahmā’s life.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnderstand the Kalpas by the TextThis 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 3.11.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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