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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
3.11.373.11.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.38

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
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

कालोऽयं द्विपरार्धाख्यो निमेष उपचर्यते ।

अव्याकृतस्यानन्तस्य ह्यनादेर्जगदात्मन: ॥ ३८ ॥

kālo ’yaṁ dvi-parārdhākhyo

nimeṣa upacaryate

avyākṛtasyānantasya

hy anāder jagad-ātmanaḥ

Translation

The duration of the two parts of Brahmā’s life, as above mentioned, is calculated to be equal to one nimeṣa [less than a second] for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is unchanging and unlimited and is the cause of all causes of the universe.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Supreme Lord Controls Time

  1. 1

    Brahmā’s entire life is compared to one nimeṣa, less than a second, for the unlimited Supreme Personality of Godhead. This gives only a hint of the Lord’s unlimited time.

  2. 2

    The purport worships Govinda as the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the cause of all causes. Innumerable Brahmās live within one breath of His plenary portion, Mahā-Viṣṇu.

  3. 3

    The Lord’s form, sleep and breathing cannot be measured by human limitations. Eternal time continues beyond Brahmā’s life, but cannot control the Lord, who controls time.

Key points from the purport
  • Now he attempts to give some idea of the time of the unlimited Personality of Godhead.
  • He just gives a hint of His unlimited time by the standard of the life of Brahmā.
  • The entire duration of the life of Brahmā is calculated to be less than a second of the Lord’s time, and it is explained in the Brahma-saṁhitā (5.48) as follows:

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. kālaḥeternal time
  2. ayamthis (as measured by Brahmā’s duration of life)
  3. dvi-parārdha-ākhyaḥmeasured by the two halves of Brahmā’s life
  4. nimeṣaḥless than a second
  5. upacaryateis so measured
  6. avyākṛtasyaof one who is unchanged
  7. anantasyaof the unlimited
  8. hicertainly
  9. anādeḥof the beginningless
  10. jagat-ātmanaḥof the soul of the universe
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worships”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might I be limiting my understanding of the Lord to human capacities?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer to Govinda, acknowledging Him as the cause of all causes and the controller of time.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Controls TimeThis 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 3.11.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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