Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.6.23
Sthāna· The universe in orderAlakā’s Uncommon Beauty and Lotus Fragrance
“Thus the demigods saw the wonderfully beautiful region known as Alakā in the forest known as Saugandhika, which means “full of fragrance.” The forest is known as Saugandhika because of its abundance of lotus flowers.”
What the purport teaches
- The demigods saw the beautiful region of Alakā in Saugandhika, a forest whose name means “full of fragrance.”
- This Alakā is different from Kuvera’s abode, Alakā-purī, which cannot be seen from Kailāsa.
- According to Vīrarāghava Ācārya, alakā means “uncommonly beautiful.” The Saugandhika lotus there distributes an especially fragrant scent.
Try this today
Write the two names Alakā and Saugandhika beside their meanings given in the text.
Ask yourself
How do the meanings of Alakā and Saugandhika help you remember this region?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.