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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
3.11.73.11.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.11.8

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

लघूनि वै समाम्नाता दश पञ्च च नाडिका ।

ते द्वे मुहूर्त: प्रहर: षड्याम: सप्त नृणाम् ॥ ८ ॥

laghūni vai samāmnātā

daśa pañca ca nāḍikā

te dve muhūrtaḥ praharaḥ

ṣaḍ yāmaḥ sapta vā nṛṇām

Translation

Fifteen laghus make one nāḍikā, which is also called a daṇḍa. Two daṇḍas make one muhūrta, and six or seven daṇḍas make one fourth of a day or night, according to human calculation.

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.

Measuring Larger Portions of the Day

  1. 1

    Fifteen laghus make one nāḍikā.

  2. 2

    A nāḍikā is also called a daṇḍa. Two daṇḍas make one muhūrta.

  3. 3

    According to human calculation, six or seven daṇḍas make one fourth of a day or night.

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. laghūnisuch laghus (each of two minutes)
  2. vaiexactly
  3. samāmnātāis called
  4. daśa pañcafifteen
  5. caalso
  6. nāḍikāa nāḍikā
  7. teof them
  8. dvetwo
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 arranging these units in order help you understand their relationships?

Practice

Make a small chart showing 15 laghus = 1 nāḍikā or daṇḍa, and 2 daṇḍas = 1 muhūrta.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMeasuring Larger Portions of the DayThis 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 3.11.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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