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.
在那岛的中央有一座大山,名为摩那索多罗(Mānasottara),为岛内侧与外侧之分界。其高与广皆为一万由旬。山上四方有因陀罗等护世神的居处。其上方,太阳神之车绕须弥山循“岁轮”(Saṁvatsara)轨道运行;一侧为诸天之昼,另一侧为诸天之夜。
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.
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.