Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 30
The Six Dvīpas Beyond Jambūdvīpa and the Cosmic Boundary of Lokāloka
तद्द्वीपमध्ये मानसोत्तरनामैक एवार्वाचीनपराचीनवर्षयोर्मर्यादाचलोऽयुतयोजनोच्छ्रायायामो यत्र तु चतसृषु दिक्षु चत्वारि पुराणि लोकपालानामिन्द्रादीनां यदुपरिष्टात्सूर्यरथस्य मेरुं परिभ्रमत: संवत्सरात्मकं चक्रं देवानामहोरात्राभ्यां परिभ्रमति ॥ ३० ॥
tad-dvīpa-madhye mānasottara-nāmaika evārvācīna-parācīna-varṣayor maryādācalo ’yuta-yojanocchrāyāyāmo yatra tu catasṛṣu dikṣu catvāri purāṇi loka-pālānām indrādīnāṁ yad-upariṣṭāt sūrya-rathasya meruṁ paribhramataḥ saṁvatsarātmakaṁ cakraṁ devānām aho-rātrābhyāṁ paribhramati.
وفي وسط تلك الجزيرة جبل عظيم يُسمّى مانسوتر، وهو الحدّ الفاصل بين جانبها الداخلي وجانبها الخارجي. عرضه وارتفاعه عشرة آلاف يوجن. وعلى هذا الجبل، في الجهات الأربع، مساكن حُكّام الجهات (اللوكبالا) مثل إندرا. وفوقه تسير عربة إله الشمس في مدار يُسمّى سَمْوَتْسَر، مُحيطةً بجبل ميرو؛ فيكون جانبٌ نهارًا للديڤات والجانب الآخر ليلًا لهم.
The movement of the sun is confirmed in the Brahma-saṁhitā (5.52) : yasyājñāya bhramati saṁbhṛta-kāla-cakraḥ. The sun orbits around Mount Sumeru, for six months on the northern side and for six months on the southern. This adds up to the duration of a day and night of the demigods in the upper planetary systems.
FAQs
This verse describes Mānāsottara as a single boundary mountain in the middle of Jambūdvīpa, ten thousand yojanas in height and breadth, serving as a demarcation between regions (varṣas).
He is explaining Bhagavata cosmology: the sun’s orbit around Meru is linked to the turning of the yearly cycle (saṁvatsara) and the way time is experienced and calculated in higher planetary systems.
It cultivates detachment and devotion by reminding us that time relentlessly moves in cycles; recognizing this, one can prioritize bhakti and purposeful living over temporary pursuits.