Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.16.22
Sthāna· The universe in orderMahākadamba’s Honey Rivers Fragrance the Land
“On the side of Supārśva Mountain stands a big tree called Mahākadamba, which is very celebrated. From the hollows of this tree flow five rivers of honey, each about five vyāmas wide. This flowing honey falls incessantly from the top of Supārśva Mountain and flows all around Ilāvṛta-varṣa, beginning from the western side. Thus the whole land is saturated with the pleasing fragrance.”
What the purport teaches
- The celebrated Mahākadamba tree stands on the side of Supārśva Mountain. Five rivers of honey flow from its hollows.
- Each river is about five vyāmas wide. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a vyāma is the span of outstretched arms, about eight feet, making each river about forty feet wide.
- The honey flows incessantly down the mountain and around Ilāvṛta-varṣa, beginning on the western side. Its pleasing fragrance saturates the whole land.
Try this today
Spread both arms to picture the measurement called a vyāma, then note the purport’s stated width of each honey river.
Ask yourself
How does the purport’s explanation of a vyāma help you appreciate the scale of these rivers?
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.