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.
In the center of that island stands the great mountain Mānasottara, the boundary between its inner and outer regions. Its height and breadth are 10,000 yojanas. Upon it, in the four directions, are the cities of the lokapālas such as Indra. Above it the sun-god’s chariot circles Mount Meru on the orbit called Saṁvatsara; one side is day for the devas, and the other is their night.
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.