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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 11: Calculation of Time, from the Atom
3.11.383.11.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.39

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 परमाण्वादिर्द्विपरार्धान्त ईश्वर: ।

नैवेशितुं प्रभुर्भूम्न ईश्वरो धाममानिनाम् ॥ ३९ ॥

kālo ’yaṁ paramāṇv-ādir

dvi-parārdhānta īśvaraḥ

naiveśituṁ prabhur bhūmna

īśvaro dhāma-māninām

Translation

Eternal time is certainly the controller of different dimensions, from that of the atom up to the superdivisions of the duration of Brahmā’s life; but, nevertheless, it is controlled by the Supreme. Time can control only those who are body conscious, even up to the Satyaloka or the other higher planets of the universe.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Time Is Controlled by the Supreme

  1. 1

    Eternal time controls dimensions ranging from the atom to the great divisions of Brahmā’s lifespan.

  2. 2

    Time itself is controlled by the Supreme. It cannot control Him.

  3. 3

    Time controls those who are body conscious. Even residence on Satyaloka or other higher planets does not place them beyond its control.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kālaḥthe eternal time
  2. ayamthis
  3. parama-aṇuatom
  4. ādiḥbeginning from
  5. dvi-parārdhatwo superdurations of time
  6. antaḥto the end
  7. īśvaraḥcontroller
  8. nanever
3

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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How much of my daily concern centers on the body and its changing condition?

Practice

Pause during one bodily concern today and reflect: time controls bodily existence, but the Supreme controls time.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTime Is Controlled by the SupremeThis 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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