Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 22
Bhū-maṇḍala as a Lotus: Jambūdvīpa, Ilāvṛta, and the Meru System
Mountains, Rivers, Lakes, and Brahmapurī
यस्तु महाकदम्ब: सुपार्श्वनिरूढो यास्तस्य कोटरेभ्यो विनि:सृता: पञ्चायामपरिणाहा: पञ्च मधुधारा: सुपार्श्वशिखरात्पतन्त्योऽपरेणात्मानमिलावृतमनुमोदयन्ति ॥ २२ ॥
yas tu mahā-kadambaḥ supārśva-nirūḍho yās tasya koṭarebhyo viniḥsṛtāḥ pañcāyāma-pariṇāhāḥ pañca madhu-dhārāḥ supārśva-śikharāt patantyo ’pareṇātmānam ilāvṛtam anumodayanti.
Na encosta do monte Supārśva ergue-se uma grande árvore célebre chamada Mahākadamba. De suas cavidades fluem cinco rios de mel, cada um com cerca de cinco vyāmas de largura. Esse mel cai incessantemente do cume de Supārśva e corre ao redor de Ilāvṛta-varṣa, começando pelo lado ocidental, de modo que toda a terra fica impregnada de uma fragrância agradável.
The distance between one hand and another when one spreads both his arms is called a vyāma. This comes to about eight feet. Thus each of the rivers was about forty feet wide, making a total of about two hundred feet.
FAQs
In Canto 5, the Bhāgavatam describes Ilāvṛta-varṣa as a wondrous region within Jambūdvīpa, beautified by extraordinary natural features—here, honey streams falling from Mount Supārśva are said to delight the land.
Śukadeva is answering Parīkṣit’s inquiries about the structure of the universe by detailing Jambūdvīpa’s varṣas and mountains, presenting sacred geography as part of the Bhāgavatam’s cosmological narration.
It cultivates humility and reverence for the Lord’s vast creation, helping a devotee shift from self-centered thinking to God-centered remembrance (smaraṇa) and gratitude.