Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 29
Bhū-maṇḍala as a Lotus: Jambūdvīpa, Ilāvṛta, and the Meru System
Mountains, Rivers, Lakes, and Brahmapurī
तामनुपरितो लोकपालानामष्टानां यथादिशं यथारूपं तुरीयमानेन पुरोऽष्टावुपक्लृप्ता: ॥ २९ ॥
tām anuparito loka-pālānām aṣṭānāṁ yathā-diśaṁ yathā-rūpaṁ turīya-mānena puro ’ṣṭāv upakḷptāḥ.
Bao quanh Brahmapurī, theo từng phương hướng, là tám nơi cư ngụ của các lokapāla, bắt đầu từ vua Indra. Chúng giống Brahmapurī về hình dạng, nhưng chỉ bằng một phần tư về kích thước.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura confirms that the townships of Lord Brahmā and the eight subordinate governors of the planetary systems, beginning with Indra, are mentioned in other Purāṇas.
FAQs
The Lokapālas are the eight guardians of the directions who maintain cosmic order, each presiding over a specific direction and stationed accordingly around the described region.
He is outlining the sacred cosmography of Jambūdvīpa, showing that the universe is structured and governed—reflecting divine order rather than randomness.
It cultivates reverence for divine order and inspires disciplined living—seeing one’s duties, directions, and boundaries as part of a larger dharmic design under the Lord’s governance.