Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 25
Bhū-maṇḍala as a Lotus: Jambūdvīpa, Ilāvṛta, and the Meru System
Mountains, Rivers, Lakes, and Brahmapurī
यानुपजुषाणानां न कदाचिदपि प्रजानां वलीपलितक्लमस्वेददौर्गन्ध्यजरामयमृत्युशीतोष्णवैवर्ण्योपसर्गादयस्तापविशेषा भवन्ति यावज्जीवं सुखं निरतिशयमेव ॥ २५ ॥
yān upajuṣāṇānāṁ na kadācid api prajānāṁ valī-palita-klama-sveda-daurgandhya-jarāmaya-mṛtyu-śītoṣṇa-vaivarṇyopasargādayas tāpa-viśeṣā bhavanti yāvaj jīvaṁ sukhaṁ niratiśayam eva.
இந்த நதிகளின் அருள்பொருட்களை அனுபவிப்போருக்கு உடலில் சுருக்கங்களும் நரைமுடியும் எப்போதும் இல்லை. சோர்வு இல்லை; வியர்வையால் துர்நாற்றமும் இல்லை. முதுமை, நோய், காலமற்ற மரணம் அவர்களைத் தாக்காது; குளிர்-வெப்பத் துன்பமில்லை; உடல் ஒளி மங்காது. அவர்கள் வாழ்நாள் முழுவதும் கவலையின்றி அளவிலா இன்பத்தை அனுபவிக்கிறார்கள்।
This verse hints at the perfection of human society even within this material world. The miserable conditions of this material world can be corrected by a sufficient supply of milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, molasses, food grains, ornaments, bedding, sitting places and so on. This is human civilization. Ample food grains can be produced through agricultural enterprises, and profuse supplies of milk, yogurt and ghee can be arranged through cow protection. Abundant honey can be obtained if the forests are protected. Unfortunately, in modern civilization, men are busy killing the cows that are the source of yogurt, milk and ghee, they are cutting down all the trees that supply honey, and they are opening factories to manufacture nuts, bolts, automobiles and wine instead of engaging in agriculture. How can the people be happy? They must suffer from all the misery of materialism. Their bodies become wrinkled and gradually deteriorate until they become almost like dwarves, and a bad odor emanates from their bodies because of unclean perspiration resulting from eating all kinds of nasty things. This is not human civilization. If people actually want happiness in this life and want to prepare for the best in the next life, they must adopt a Vedic civilization. In a Vedic civilization, there is a full supply of all the necessities mentioned above.
FAQs
In this verse (5.16.25), Śukadeva explains that in certain exalted regions described in the Fifth Canto, inhabitants do not experience wrinkles, grey hair, fatigue, disease, death, or distress from heat and cold—enjoying uninterrupted, exceptional happiness for the duration of their lives there.
In Canto 5, Śukadeva narrates the structure of the universe (Jambūdvīpa, Mount Meru, and surrounding regions) to answer Parīkṣit’s inquiries and to situate the listener within the Bhagavatam’s broader cosmological and theological vision.
Even the most refined worldly happiness is temporary and dependent on one’s realm and lifespan; a devotee can use this perspective to deepen detachment and prioritize bhakti, seeking the eternal shelter of Bhagavān rather than only improved material conditions.