Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.16.13-14
Sthāna· The universe in orderCelestial Lakes, Gardens and Mystic Perfections
“O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, best of the Bharata dynasty, between these four mountains are four huge lakes. The water of the first tastes just like milk; the water of the second, like honey; and that of the third, like sugarcane juice. The fourth lake is filled with pure water. The celestial beings such as the Siddhas, Cāraṇas and Gandharvas, who are also known as demigods, enjoy the facilities of those four lakes. Consequently they have the natural perfections of mystic yoga, such as the power to become smaller than the smallest or greater than the greatest. There are also four celestial gardens named Nandana, Caitraratha, Vaibhrājaka and Sarvatobhadra.”
What the purport teaches
- Four huge lakes lie between the four mountains. Their waters taste like milk, honey and sugarcane juice, while the fourth lake contains pure water.
- The Siddhas, Cāraṇas and Gandharvas enjoy these lakes and consequently have natural mystic perfections. These include becoming smaller than the smallest or greater than the greatest.
- Four celestial gardens are also present: Nandana, Caitraratha, Vaibhrājaka and Sarvatobhadra.
Try this today
Make a short list of the four lakes’ contents and the two mystic powers described.
Ask yourself
What connection does this description make between the lakes and the celestial beings’ abilities?
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.