Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.20.13
Sthāna· The universe in orderKuśa Grass Shines by the Lord’s Will
“Outside the ocean of liquor is another island, known as Kuśadvīpa, which is 800,000 yojanas [6,400,000 miles] wide, twice as wide as the ocean of liquor. As Śālmalīdvīpa is surrounded by a liquor ocean, Kuśadvīpa is surrounded by an ocean of liquid ghee as broad as the island itself. On Kuśadvīpa there are clumps of kuśa grass, from which the island takes its name. This kuśa grass, which was created by the demigods by the will of the Supreme Lord, appears like a second form of fire, but with very mild and pleasing flames. Its young shoots illuminate all directions.”
What the purport teaches
- Kuśadvīpa is 800,000 yojanas wide and surrounded by an equally broad ocean of liquid ghee. It takes its name from its clumps of kuśa grass.
- The demigods created this grass by the Supreme Lord’s will. Its young shoots illuminate all directions like mild, pleasing flames.
- Śrīla Prabhupāda draws from this description an educated guess that the moon’s illumination also comes from mild, pleasing flames. The purport does not accept the modern theory that the moon is full of dust.
Try this today
Reread the description of the shining grass and note how its light is described as both fiery and gentle.
Ask yourself
How does the description connect the grass’s unusual radiance with the Supreme Lord’s will?
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.