Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 1
Kāla-vibhāga: The Divisions of Time from Atom to Brahmā, and the Lord Beyond Time
मैत्रेय उवाच चरम: सद्विशेषाणामनेकोऽसंयुत: सदा । परमाणु: स विज्ञेयो नृणामैक्यभ्रमो यत: ॥ १ ॥
maitreya uvāca caramaḥ sad-viśeṣāṇām aneko ’saṁyutaḥ sadā paramāṇuḥ sa vijñeyo nṛṇām aikya-bhramo yataḥ
The material manifestation’s ultimate particle, which is indivisible and not formed into a body, is called the atom. It exists always as an invisible identity, even after the dissolution of all forms. The material body is but a combination of such atoms, but it is misunderstood by the common man.
The atomic description of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is almost the same as the modern science of atomism, and this is further described in the Paramāṇu-vāda of Kaṇāda. In modern science also, the atom is accepted as the ultimate indivisible particle of which the universe is composed. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the full text of all descriptions of knowledge, including the theory of atomism. The atom is the minute subtle form of eternal time.
FAQs
In Canto 3, Chapter 11, the Bhagavatam identifies the paramāṇu as the ultimate, indivisible material unit—always single and uncombined—forming the basis for analyzing material time and composition.
Maitreya explains the foundations of material creation and time, showing how matter is built from subtle units and how mistaken ideas of “one substance” or “one mass” arise from aggregation and illusion.
It trains discernment: what appears as a solid, permanent unity is actually a temporary combination—helping one detach from material identification and seek lasting reality in devotion to the Supreme.