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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
3.11.63.11.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.7

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.10.11inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

निमेषस्त्रिलवो ज्ञेय आम्नातस्ते त्रय: क्षण: ।

क्षणान् पञ्च विदु: काष्ठां लघु ता दश पञ्च च ॥ ७ ॥

nimeṣas tri-lavo jñeya

āmnātas te trayaḥ kṣaṇaḥ

kṣaṇān pañca viduḥ kāṣṭhāṁ

laghu tā daśa pañca ca

Translation

The duration of time of three lavas is equal to one nimeṣa, the combination of three nimeṣas makes one kṣaṇa, five kṣaṇas combined together make one kāṣṭhā, and fifteen kāṣṭhās make one laghu.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Connecting Vedic Measures With Minutes

  1. 1

    Three lavas make one nimeṣa, and three nimeṣas make one kṣaṇa.

  2. 2

    Five kṣaṇas make one kāṣṭhā, and fifteen kāṣṭhās make one laghu.

  3. 3

    The purport calculates one laghu as two minutes. This gives a way to convert the Vedic atomic calculation of time into present-day measures.

Key points from the purport
  • By calculation it is found that one laghu is equal to two minutes.
  • The atomic calculation of time in terms of Vedic wisdom may be converted into present time with this understanding.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nimeṣaḥthe duration of time called a nimeṣa
  2. tri-lavaḥthe duration of three lavas
  3. jñeyaḥis to be known
  4. āmnātaḥit is so called
  5. tethey
  6. trayaḥthree
  7. kṣaṇaḥthe duration of time called a kṣaṇa
  8. kṣaṇānsuch kṣaṇas
3

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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does knowing that one laghu equals two minutes help you understand these measurements?

Practice

Set a two-minute timer and use that interval to review the sequence from lava to laghu.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayConnecting Vedic Measures With MinutesThis 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 3.11.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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