Shloka 33
Vidura’s Questions: How the Unchangeable Lord Relates to Māyā; Bhakti as the Remedy; Blueprint for the Coming Cosmology
श्राद्धस्य च विधिं ब्रह्मन् पितृणां सर्गमेव च । ग्रहनक्षत्रताराणां कालावयवसंस्थितिम् ॥ ३३ ॥
śrāddhasya ca vidhiṁ brahman pitṝṇāṁ sargam eva ca graha-nakṣatra-tārāṇāṁ kālāvayava-saṁsthitim
Ô brāhmaṇa, explique la règle du śrāddha, la création de Pitṛloka, et l’ordonnance des divisions du temps parmi les planètes, constellations et étoiles, avec la position propre de chacune.
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. In Bhagavad-gītā the duration of one day in Brahmaloka is measured to be 1,000 times the four yugas, or 4,300,000 years multiplied by 1,000. And the month and year in Brahmaloka are calculated in that measure.
FAQs
In this verse, Vidura asks for the śrāddha-vidhi—its proper procedure—showing that Bhagavatam acknowledges Vedic duties and seeks their correct understanding within dharma.
Vidura is systematically inquiring from Maitreya about dharma (śrāddha and Pitṛs) and about cosmic order (grahas, nakṣatras, stars, and kāla), because these topics explain how the Lord’s creation functions and how beings act within it.
Practice dharma with accuracy and humility: seek authentic guidance for rituals and duties, and cultivate a broader perspective by studying time and cosmic order—reducing ego and increasing responsibility and devotion.