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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 7: Further Inquires by Vidura
3.7.323.7.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.7.33

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.7.15inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

श्राद्धस्य च विधिं ब्रह्मन् पितृणां सर्गमेव च ।

ग्रहनक्षत्रताराणां कालावयवसंस्थितिम् ॥ ३३ ॥

śrāddhasya ca vidhiṁ brahman

pitṝṇāṁ sargam eva ca

graha-nakṣatra-tārāṇāṁ

kālāvayava-saṁsthitim

Translation

Please also explain the regulations for offering respects to the forefathers, the creation of the Pitṛloka, the time schedule in the planets, stars and luminaries, and their respective situations.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Time Measurements Differ Across Worlds

  1. 1

    The verse asks about regulations for honoring forefathers and the creation of Pitṛloka.

  2. 2

    Days, nights, months and years have different durations on different planets, stars and luminaries. The purport says that six earth months equal one day on the higher planets.

  3. 3

    The purport describes a day in Brahmaloka as 1,000 times the four yugas. Its months and years are calculated according to that measure.

Key points from the purport
  • The time durations of day and night as well as months and years are different in the different planets, stars and luminaries.
  • The higher planets like the moon and Venus have time measurements different from those of the earth.
  • It is said that six months of this planet earth equal one day of the higher planets.

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 7: Further Inquires by Vidura

Vidura asks about illusion, the soul, creation, religious duties, and the relationship between teacher and disciple.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrāddhasyaof the periodical offerings of respects
  2. caalso
  3. vidhimregulations
  4. brahmanO brāhmaṇa
  5. pitṝṇāmof the forefathers
  6. sargamcreation
  7. evaas
  8. caalso
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

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does learning about different measures of time broaden my perspective beyond daily concerns?

Practice

Pause for a minute and reflect that earth's measure of a day is not the only measure of time described here.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTime Measurements Differ Across WorldsThis 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 3.7.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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