SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM: CANTO 5

(1) The king [Parīkchit] said: 'You spoke already [in 5.1: 31-33] of the sphere of the seven places of refuge [Bhū-mandala]: that it stretches as far as the heat of the sun reaches and as far as the moon and myriad of stars can be seen. (2) Because of Priyavrata's circumambulating in his chariot [in 5.1: 30-31] were by the seven ditches the oceans created which separated the seven islands; this was all clearly by you described o great one and concerning this subject of study I certainly would like to know everything concerning the measurement and characteristics in question. (3) To the material qualities of the Supreme Lord in His assuming the gross form [of the universe] do we, notwithstanding indeed the mind over it, within the heart [as the paramātmā] find His smaller form as the light within the soul, as the supreme spiritual entity; o dear teacher, please tell me how He, known as the Great Lord Vāsudeva, thus as a matter of fact can be comprehended.

(4) The rishi said: 'O great King, there is no end to the transformations of the material qualities of the Supreme Lord; though not even a person living as long as Brahmā is capable to put it into words or either fully understand, shall I nevertheless try to explain what in particular of the original source of the material universe its places of existence in one [Bhūloka] can be said in terms of names, forms and proportions. (5) Whatever [one could say to the size] of this separated area ['island' or dvīpa], this inner whorl of the lotusflower unfolding at night which is as round as a lotus leaf, would be of a terrible number of yojanas [measures of distance, lightyears we say these days in relation to the galaxy]. (6) Therein are nine subdivisions ['years' or 'lands separated by mountains'; varshas] found of nine times thousand yojanas neatly separated by eight boundaries of rock ['mountain-ranges', 'spiral arms' or giri]. (7) Among these there is one division in the middle navel named Ilāvrita that is entirely golden and is known as the most renown of all mountains, Mount Meru, that stretches up as far as it, as an area, is wide and which of this lotuslike unfolded universe is the pericarp that measuring a thirty two thousand yojanas at its base reaches a sixteen thousand yojanas to its top and below [according modern astronomy is our galaxy about seven thousand lightyears thick]. (8) More and more stretching north of Ilāvrita [projected on the globe of the earth] there are the three ranges found of Nīla, S'veta and S'ringavān, which each by one tenth are flatter in their marking the varshas of Ramyaka, Hiranmaya and Kuru who, each [in proportion] two thousand yojanas wide, have to their east and west extending the Kshāroda ocean [the 'salty one']. (9) The same way are there to the south of Ilāvrita the Nishadha, Hemakūtha and Himālaya ranges that stretch out with a body of thousands of yojanas to the east dividing a same number of varshas which are called Hari, Kimpurusha and Bhārata. (10) Even so are there to the west of Ilāvrita as well as on the eastern side the demarcations of the western Mālyavān and eastern Gandhamādana ranges that for a [proportionate] two thousand yojanas stretch out to the north up to the Nīla mountain, and to the south up to the Nishadha mountain, in which they establish the borders of the varshas named Ketumāla and Bhadrās'va. (11) The mountains named Mandara, Merumandara, Supārs'va and Kumuda at four sides form a belt around mount Meru massively spreading out for countless yojanas.

(12) On these four mountains standing like flagstaffs one finds, spread over as much as a thousand yojanas, four kinds of the very best of trees: the mango, the rose apple, the kadamba and the banyan, who with their branches cover hundreds of yojanas. (13-14) There are four lakes of the purest water, milk, honey and sugarcane juice as also the four gardens Nandana, Caitraratha, Vaibhrājaka and Sarvatobhadra - the godlike attending there in enjoying these all, have a natural command of yoga, o best of the Bharata dynasty. (15) In them do the enchanted and enchanting wives of the best of them, of the husbands indeed who are glorified in songs of praise by the lesser gods, enjoy themselves in their pastimes. (16) On the slopes of the Mandara do, at eleven-hundred [virtual] yojanas from the top, fall from the mango tree named Devacūta the fruits down sweet as nectar that are as big as mountain peaks. (17) Of all the mangoes broken open flows in large quantities the reddish juice that is very sweet and fragrant being mixed as it is with other aromas; it flows down east from the top of Mandara mountain in a river named Arunodā. (18) Of Bhavānī [the wife of S'iva], her maid servants and the chaste wives of the Yakshas [S'iva's followers] using this water, does the wind in contact with their limbs become fragrant for ten yojanas around. (19) Similarly do the rose apple fruits that with their tiny seeds are broken to pieces of falling to the ground from a height of a ten-thousand yojanas from the top of Merumandara, flow down with their juice in a river named the Jambū-nadī through the whole southern region of Ilāvrita itself. (20-21) The mud of both the banks entirely soaked with that juice does, dried under the influence of air and sun, continually deliver a kind of gold named Jāmbū-nada, which used by the denizens of heaven indeed provides the demigods, together with their ever youthful wives, the possession of all kinds of ornaments in the form of belts, helmets, bangles and so on. (22) But from the mahākadamba standing on the side of the Supārs'va mountain flow from its hollows five streams of honey tens of feet wide [five vyāmas of about five to six feet each] that from the top of that mountain flow down to saturate the whole of the western side of Ilāvrita with their fragrance. (23) That stream indeed does, by the breath of the mouths of those who drank therefrom, perfume the air sweet for a hundred yojanas wide. (24) Similarly do from the top of Kumuda mountain, on which the banyan tree grows that with its thick stems is named S'atavals'a ['a hundred trunks'], flow big rivers to the northern side of Ilāvrita, giving happiness in fulfilling all desires carrying in its wake an abundance of milk, yogurt, honey, clarified butter, molasses, food grains and so on, as well as a sure wealth of clothing, bedding, sitting places, ornaments and more of that all. (25) Of these benefits do the inhabitants, in the full use of them, for sure never ever get wrinkles, gray hair, fatigue, bad smelling perspiration, old of age, diseased, premature death, cold or heat, a waning luster or whatever variety of troubles and sufferings; for as long as they live they are of an unlimited happiness only.

(26) Like the filaments of the whorl of a lotus are all around the base of mount Meru arranged twenty or more peaks carrying names as the Kuranga, Kurara, Kusumbha, Vaikanka, Trikūtha, S'is'ira, Patanga, Rucaka, Nishadha, Sinīvāsa, Kapila, S'ankha, Vaidūrya, Jārudhi, Hamsa, Rishabha, Nāga, Kālańjara and the Nārada. (27) The Mountain of Meru with its golden brilliance like fire, is surrounded by eight mountains of which the two in the east are called Jathhara and Devakūtha, the two in the west Pavana and Pāriyātra, the two in the south Kailāsa and Karavīra and the two in the north Tris'ringa and Makara. Each covering an eighteen thousand square yojanas, they stretch out for two thousand yojanas. (28) On top of mount Meru is in the middle the dwellingplace, the city of the most powerful self-born one [Lord Brahmā] found, stretching to all sides for many thousands of yojanas [our galaxy does so for twenty-six-thousand lightyears to its pericarp and 40 to 60 thousand lights years in diameter, compare verse 7 ] and of which the sages say that it is entirely golden. (29) Around that center are to each direction the eight cities of the rulers over the planetary systems found (*) which four times as small are of a likewise form.

The king [Parīkchit] said: 'You spoke already [in 5.1: 31-33] of the sphere of the seven places of refuge [Bhū-mandala]: that it stretches as far as the heat of the sun reaches and as far as the moon and myriad of stars can be seen.

The king [Parīkchit] said: 'You spoke already [in 5.1:31-33] of the sphere of the seven places of refuge [bhū-mandala]: that it stretches as far as the heat of sun reaches or either is also seen by the moon and myriad of stars. (Vedabase)

Text 2

Because of Priyavrata's circumambulating in his chariot [in 5.1: 30-31] were by the seven ditches the oceans created which separated the seven islands; this was all clearly by you described o great one and concerning this subject of study I certainly would like to know everything concerning the measurement and characteristics in question.

Because of Priyavrata circumambulating in his chariot [in 5.1:31-30] were by the seven ditches the oceans created that set apart the seven continents; this was indeed by you described o Great One and concerning this subject of study I would certainly like to know everything of the measurement and characteristics. (Vedabase)

Text 3

To the material qualities of the Supreme Lord in His assuming the gross form [of the universe] do we, notwithstanding indeed the mind over it, within the heart [as the paramātmā] find His smaller form as the light within the soul, as the supreme spiritual entity; o dear teacher, please tell me how He, known as the Great Lord Vāsudeva, thus as a matter of fact can be comprehended.

To the material qualities of the Supreme Lord in His assuming the gross form [of the universe] do we, notwithstanding indeed the mind over it, within the heart [as the paramātma] find His smaller form as the light within the soul, as the supreme spiritual entity; o dear teacher, please tell me how He, known as the Great Lord Vāsudeva, thus as a matter of fact can be comprehended. (Vedabase)

Text 4

The rishi said: 'O great King, there is no end to the transformations of the material qualities of the Supreme Lord; though not even a person living as long as Brahmā is capable to put it into words or either fully understand, shall I nevertheless try to explain what in particular of the original source of the material universe its places of existence in one [Bhūloka] can be said in terms of names, forms and proportions.

The rishi said: 'O great King, there is no end to the transformations of the material qualities of the Supreme Lord; though not even a person living as long as Brahmā is capable to put it into words or either fully understand, shall I nevertheless try to explain what in particular of the original source of the material universe its places of existence in one [Bhūloka] can be said in terms of names, forms and proportions. (Vedabase)

Text 5

Whatever [one could say to the size] of this separated area ['island' or dvīpa], this inner whorl of the lotusflower unfolding at night which is as round as a lotus leaf, would be of a terrible number of yojanas [measures of distance, lightyears we say these days in relation to the galaxy].

Whatever [one could say to the size] of this separated area ['island' or dvīpa], this inner whorl of the lotusflower unfolding at night that is equally round as a lotus leaf, would be of a terrible number of yojanas [measures of distance, lightyears we say these days]. (Vedabase)

Text 6

Therein are nine subdivisions ['years' or 'lands separated by mountains'; varshas] found of nine times thousand yojanas neatly separated by eight boundaries of rock ['mountain-ranges', 'spiral arms' or giri].

Therein are nine subdivisions ['years' or 'lands separated by mountains'; varshas] found of nine times thousand yojanas neatly separated by eight boundaries of rock ['mountain-ranges', 'spiral arms' or giri]. (Vedabase)

Text 7

Among these there is one division in the middle navel named Ilāvrita that is entirely golden and is known as the most renown of all mountains, Mount Meru, that stretches up as far as it, as an area, is wide and which of this lotuslike unfolded universe is the pericarp that measuring a thirty-two thousand yojanas at its base reaches a sixteen thousand yojanas to its top and below [according modern astronomy is our galaxy about seven thousand lightyears thick].

Among these there is one division in the middle navel named Ilāvrita that is entirely golden and is known as the most renown of all mountains, Mount Meru that stretches up as far as it, as an area, is wide and which of this lotuslike unfolded universe is the pericarp that measuring a thirty two thousand yojanas at its base reaches a sixteen thousand yojanas to its top and below [according modern astronomy is our galaxy about seven thousand lightyears thick]. (Vedabase)

Text 8

More and more stretching north of Ilāvrita [projected on the globe of the earth] there are the three ranges found of Nīla, S'veta and S'ringavān, which each by one tenth are flatter in their marking the varshas of Ramyaka, Hiranmaya and Kuru who, each [in proportion] two thousand yojanas wide, have to their east and west extending the Kshāroda ocean [the 'salty one'].

More and more stretching north of Ilāvrita [projected on the globe of the earth] there are the three ranges found of Nīla, S'veta and S'ringavān, that each by one tenth are flatter than the other as they are marking the varsha's of Ramyāka, Hiranmaya and Kuru who, each [in proportion] two thousand yojanas wide, have to their east and west extending the Kshāroda ocean [the 'salty one']. (Vedabase)

Text 9

The same way are there to the south of Ilāvrita the Nishadha, Hemakūtha and Himālaya ranges that stretch out with a body of thousands of yojanas to the east dividing a same number of varshas which are called Hari, Kimpurusha and Bhārata.

Thus likewise to the south of Ilāvrita are there the Nishadha, Hemakūtha and Himālaya ranges that stretch out with a body of thousands of yojanas to the east dividing a same number of varshas that are called Hari, Kimpurusha and Bhārata. (Vedabase)

Text 10

Even so are there to the west of Ilāvrita as well as on the eastern side the demarcations of the western Mālyavān and eastern Gandhamādana ranges that for a [proportionate] two thousand yojanas stretch out to the north up to the Nīla mountain, and to the south up to the Nishadha mountain, in which they establish the borders of the varshas named Ketumāla and Bhadrās'va.

Even so are there to the west of Ilāvrita as well as on the eastern side the demarcations of the western Mālyavān and eastern Gandhamādana ranges that for a [proportionate] two thousand yojanas stretch out to the north up to Nīla mountain and to the south up to the Nishadha mountain, establishing the borders of the varshas named Ketumāla and Bhadras'va. (Vedabase)

Text 11

The mountains named Mandara, Merumandara, Supārs'va and Kumuda at four sides form a belt around mount Meru massively spreading out for countless yojanas.

The mountains named Mandara, Merumandara, Supārs'va and Kumuda at four sides form a belt around mount Meru massively spreading out for countless yojanas. (Vedabase)

Text 12

On these four mountains standing like flagstaffs one finds, spread over as much as a thousand yojanas, four kinds of the very best of trees: the mango, the rose apple, the kadamba and the banyan, who with their branches cover hundreds of yojanas.

On these four mountains standing like flagstaffs one finds, spread over as much as a thousand yojanas, four kinds of the very best of trees: the Mango, the Rose Apple, the Kadamba and the Banyan, who with their branches cover hundreds of yojanas. (Vedabase)

Text 13-14

There are four lakes of the purest water, milk, honey and sugarcane juice as also the four gardens Nandana, Caitraratha, Vaibhrājaka and Sarvatobhadra - the godlike attending there in enjoying these all, have a natural command of yoga, o best of the Bharata dynasty.

There are four lakes of the purest water, milk, honey and sugarcane juice as also the four gardens Nandāna, Caitraratha, Vaibhrājaka and Sarvatobhadra - the godlike attending there in enjoying these all, have a natural command of yoga, o best of the Bharata dynasty. (Vedabase)

Text 15

In them do the enchanted and enchanting wives of the best of them, of the husbands indeed who are glorified in songs of praise by the lesser gods, enjoy themselves in their pastimes.

In them do the enchanted and enchanting wives of the best of them, of the husbands indeed who are glorified in songs of praise by the lesser gods, enjoy sporting. (Vedabase)

Text 16

On the slopes of the Mandara do, at eleven-hundred [virtual] yojanas from the top, fall from the mango tree named Devacūta the fruits down sweet as nectar that are as big as mountain peaks.

On the slopes of the Mandara do, at eleven-hundred [virtual] yojanas from the top, from the mango tree named Devacūta fall down fruits sweet as nectar that are as big as mountain peaks. (Vedabase)

Text 17

Of all the mangoes broken open flows in large quantities the reddish juice that is very sweet and fragrant being mixed as it is with other aromas; it flows down east from the top of Mandara mountain in a river named Arunodā.

Of all the mangoes broken open flows in large quantities the reddish juice that is very sweet and fragrant being mixed as it is with other aromas; it falls down east from the top of Mandara mountain with a river named Arunodā. (Ve d abase)

Text 18

Of Bhavānī [the wife of S'iva], her maid servants and the chaste wives of the Yakshas [S'iva's followers] using this water, does the wind in contact with their limbs become fragrant for ten yojanas around.

Of Bhavānī [the wife of S'iva], her maid servants and the chaste wives of the Yaksha's [S'iva's followers] using this water, does the wind in contact with their limbs become fragrant for ten [cosmic] yojanas around. (Vedabase)

Text 19

Similarly do the rose apple fruits that with their tiny seeds are broken to pieces of falling to the ground from a height of a ten-thousand yojanas from the top of Merumandara, flow down with their juice in a river named the Jambū-nadī through the whole southern region of Ilāvrita itself.

Similarly do the rose apple fruits that with their tiny seeds are broken to pieces of falling to the ground from a height of a [galactic] ten-thousand yojanas from the top of Merumandara, flow down with their juice in a river named the Jambū-nadī through the whole southern region of Ilāvrita itself. (Vedabase)

Text 20-21

The mud of both the banks entirely soaked with that juice does, dried under the influence of air and sun, continually deliver a kind of gold named Jāmbū-nada, which used by the denizens of heaven indeed provides the demigods, together with their ever youthful wives, the possession of all kinds of ornaments in the form of belts, helmets, bangles and so on.

The mud of both the banks entirely soaked with that juice does, dried under the influence of air and sun, continually deliver a kind of gold named Jāmbū-nada, that used by the denizens of heaven indeed gives the demigods with their ever youthful wives all kinds of ornaments in their possession in the form of belts, helmets, bangles and so on. (Vedabase)

Text 22

But from the mahākadamba standing on the side of the Supārs'va mountain flow from its hollows five streams of honey tens of feet wide [five vyāmas of about five to six feet each] that from the top of that mountain flow down to saturate the whole of the western side of Ilāvrita with their fragrance.

But from the Mahākadamba standing on the side of the Supārs'va mountain flow from its hollows five streams of honey tens of feet wide [five vyamas of about five to six feet each] that from the top of that mountain flow down to saturate the whole of the western side of Ilāvrita with their fragrance. (Vedabase)

Text 23

That stream indeed does, by the breath of the mouths of those who drank therefrom, perfume the air sweet for a hundred yojanas wide.

That stream indeed does, by the breath of the mouths of those who drank therefrom, perfume the air sweet for a hundred [transcendental] yojanas wide. (Vedabase)

Text 24

Similarly do from the top of Kumuda mountain, on which the banyan tree grows that with its thick stems is named S'atavals'a ['a hundred trunks'], flow big rivers to the northern side of Ilāvrita, giving happiness in fulfilling all desires carrying in its wake an abundance of milk, yogurt, honey, clarified butter, molasses, food grains and so on, as well as a sure wealth of clothing, bedding, sitting places, ornaments and more of that all.

Similarly do from the top of Kumuda mountain, on which the Banyan tree grew that with its thick stems is named S'atavals'a ['a hundred trunks'], flow big rivers to the northern side of Ilāvrita, giving happiness in fulfilling all desires carrying in its wake an abundance of milk, yogurt, honey, clarified butter, molasses, food grains and so on, as well as a sure wealth of clothing, bedding, sitting places, ornaments and more of that all. (Vedabase)

Text 25

Of these benefits do the inhabitants, in the full use of them, for sure never ever get wrinkles, gray hair, fatigue, bad smelling perspiration, old of age, diseased, premature death, cold or heat, a waning luster or whatever variety of troubles and sufferings; for as long as they live they are of an unlimited happiness only.

Of these benefits do the inhabitants in full use of them for sure never ever get wrinkles, gray hair, fatigue, bad smelling perspiration, old of age, diseased, premature death, cold or heat, a waning luster or whatever variety of troubles and sufferings; for as long as they live they are of an unlimited happiness only. (Vedabase)

Text 26

Like the filaments of the whorl of a lotus are all around the base of mount Meru arranged twenty or more peaks carrying names as the Kuranga, Kurara, Kusumbha, Vaikanka, Trikūtha, S'is'ira, Patanga, Rucaka, Nishadha, Sinīvāsa, Kapila, S'ankha, Vaidūrya, Jārudhi, Hamsa, Rishabha, Nāga, Kālańjara and the Nārada.

Like the filaments of the whorl of a lotus are all around the base of mount Meru arranged twenty or more peaks carrying names as the Kuranga, Kurara, Kusumbha, Vaikanka, Trikūtha, S'is'ira, Patanga, Rucaka, Nishadha, Sinīvāsa, Kapila, S'ankha, Vaidūrya, Jārudhi, Hamsa, Rishabha, Nāga, Kālańjara and the Nārada. (Vedabase)

Text 27

The Mountain of Meru with its golden brilliance like fire, is surrounded by eight mountains of which the two in the east are called Jathhara and Devakūtha, the two in the west Pavana and Pāriyātra, the two in the south Kailāsa and Karavīra and the two in the north Tris'ringa and Makara. Each covering an eighteen thousand square yojanas, they stretch out for two thousand yojanas.

The Mountain of Meru with its golden brilliance like fire is surrounded by eight mountains of which the two in the east are called Jathhara and Devakūtha, the two in the west Pavana and Pāriyātra, the two in the south Kailāsa and Karavīra and the two in the north Tris'ringa and Makara. Each they amass for [a heavenly] two thousand yojanas, covering an eighteen thousand square yojanas. (Vedabase)

Text 28

On top of mount Meru is in the middle the dwellingplace, the city of the most powerful self-born one [Lord Brahmā] found, stretching to all sides for many thousands of yojanas [our galaxy does so for twenty-six-thousand lightyears to its pericarp and 40 to 60 thousand lights years in diameter, compare verse 7 ] and of which the sages say that it is entirely golden.

On top of mount Meru is in the middle the dwellingplace, the city of the most powerful self-born one [Lord Brahmā] found, stretching to all sides for many thousands of yojanas [our galaxy does so for twenty-six-thousand lightyears to its pericarp and 40 to 60 thousand lights years in diameter, compare verse 7 ] and of which the sages say that it is entirely golden. (Vedabase)

Text 29

Around that center are to each direction the eight cities of the rulers over the planetary systems found. (*) which four times as small are of a likewise form.

Around that center are to each direction the eight cities of the rulers over the planetary systems found (*) that by one fourth are of a likewise form. (Vedabase)

*: The place of Brahmā is called Manovatī, and those of his assistants such as Indra and Agni are known as Amarāvatī, Tejovatī, Samyamanī, Krishnānganā, S'raddhāvatī, Gandhavatī, Mahodayā and Yas'ovatī.