Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.1.31
Sthāna· The universe in orderSeven Oceans Divide Bhū-maṇḍala
“When Priyavrata drove his chariot behind the sun, the rims of his chariot wheels created impressions that later became seven oceans, dividing the planetary system known as Bhū-maṇḍala into seven islands.”
What the purport teaches
- As Priyavrata drove behind the sun, his chariot wheels made impressions that became seven oceans. These divided Bhū-maṇḍala into seven islands.
- The purport explains that planets are sometimes called islands in the ocean of space. The systems formed through Priyavrata’s activity are collectively called Bhū-maṇḍala, or Bhūloka.
- Above Bhūloka is Bhuvarloka, and above that is Svargaloka, the heavenly planetary system. The purport describes these systems as controlled by Savitā, the sun-god.
Try this today
Make a simple study list placing Bhūloka below Bhuvarloka and Svargaloka.
Ask yourself
How does the image of islands in an ocean of space help me follow this description?
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.