Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 16

Bhāgavata-Māhātmya and the Complete Summary of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Devanagari script

द्वीपवर्षसमुद्राणां गिरिनद्युपवर्णनम् । ज्योतिश्चक्रस्य संस्थानं पातालनरकस्थिति: ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

dvīpa-varṣa-samudrāṇāṁ giri-nady-upavarṇanam jyotiś-cakrasya saṁsthānaṁ pātāla-naraka-sthitiḥ

Translation

The Bhāgavatam elaborately describes the earth’s continents, regions, oceans, mountains, and rivers. It also explains the arrangement of the celestial sphere and the conditions in the subterranean realms and in hell.

Synonyms

• dvīpa-varṣa-samudrāṇām: of islands, continents (regions), and oceans
• dvīpa-varṣa-samudrāṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvīpa (प्रातिपदिक) + varṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + samudra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व-समासः (द्वीपाश्च वर्षाणि च समुद्राश्च)

• giri-nadī-upavarṇanam: the description of mountains and rivers
• giri-nadī-upavarṇanam: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: giri (प्रातिपदिक) + nadī (प्रातिपदिक) + upavarṇana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; द्वन्द्व-पूर्वपद (गिरयश्च नद्यश्च) + तत्पुरुषः (तेषाम् उपवर्णनम्)

• jyotiḥ-cakrasya: of the celestial (luminary) sphere/circle
• jyotiḥ-cakrasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jyotis (प्रातिपदिक) + cakra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ज्योतिषां चक्रस्य)

• saṁsthānam: the arrangement/structure
• saṁsthānam: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṁsthāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• pātāla-naraka-sthitiḥ: the condition/state of Pātāla and Naraka
• pātāla-naraka-sthitiḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pātāla (प्रातिपदिक) + naraka (प्रातिपदिक) + sthiti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; द्वन्द्व-पूर्वपद (पातालं च नरकं च) + तत्पुरुषः (तयोः स्थितिः)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the structure of the universe (Bhagavata cosmology)?

This verse states that the Bhāgavatam includes descriptions of islands/continents and oceans, mountains and rivers, the arrangement of the celestial planetary system (jyotiś-cakra), and the locations of Pātāla and Naraka.

Why is Śukadeva Gosvāmī listing cosmology topics in Canto 12 Chapter 12?

In this chapter Śukadeva summarizes the major subject matters covered throughout the Bhāgavatam for King Parīkṣit, and cosmology (including higher and lower realms) is one of those topics.

How can the Bhāgavatam’s descriptions of Naraka and Pātāla be applied in modern life?

They encourage moral responsibility and dharmic living by reminding one that actions have consequences, and they redirect the mind toward devotion and self-discipline rather than harmful choices.