Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 1

The Six Dvīpas Beyond Jambūdvīpa and the Cosmic Boundary of Lokāloka

Devanagari script

श्रीशुक उवाच अत: परं प्लक्षादीनां प्रमाणलक्षणसंस्थानतो वर्षविभाग उपवर्ण्यते ॥ १ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-śuka uvāca ataḥ paraṁ plakṣādīnāṁ pramāṇa-lakṣaṇa-saṁsthānato varṣa-vibhāga upavarṇyate.

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī dit : Désormais, je décrirai la répartition des régions des six îles, à commencer par Plakṣa, selon leurs dimensions, leurs caractéristiques et leur forme.

Synonyms

• śrī-śukaḥ: Śrī Śuka
• śrī-śukaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī-śuka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (perfect), 3rd person, singular, Parasmaipada

• ataḥ: thereafter/therefore
• ataḥ: Hetu/Anukrama (हेतु/अनुक्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (causal/sequence adverb): ‘therefore/thereafter’

• param: next/further
• param: Anukrama (अनुक्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya-prayoga (adverbial accusative): ‘further/next’

• plakṣa-ādīnām: of (islands) beginning with Plakṣa
• plakṣa-ādīnām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: plakṣa-ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa: plakṣa + ādi (‘beginning with Plakṣa’)

• pramāṇa-lakṣaṇa-saṁsthānataḥ: in terms of measure, features, and configuration
• pramāṇa-lakṣaṇa-saṁsthānataḥ: Prakāra/Apādāna (प्रकार/अपादान-भाव)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pramāṇa-lakṣaṇa-saṁsthāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Ablative singular used adverbially: Pañcamī vibhakti (ablative, 5th), Ekavacana; compound chain tatpuruṣa; sense ‘with respect to/according to measure, characteristics, and form’

• varṣa-vibhāgaḥ: the division of regions
• varṣa-vibhāgaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṣa-vibhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: varṣa + vibhāga

• upavarṇyate: is described
• upavarṇyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-varṇ (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (present), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana, Ātmanepada; passive sense ‘is described’

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Plaksha-dvipa and other islands?

In this verse, Śukadeva announces that he will next describe Plakṣa and the other dvīpas—covering their measurements, identifying features, overall layout, and the divisions of their regions (varṣas).

Why does Śukadeva Gosvami begin describing dvipas and varshas in Canto 5?

Canto 5 presents the ordered structure of the cosmos; this verse serves as a transition into a detailed account of the islands (dvīpas) beyond the previously described regions.

Practical application of Bhagavatam cosmology in modern life?

It cultivates humility and God-centered perspective—seeing the universe as purposeful and ordered—encouraging devotion and reflection rather than material pride.