Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.20.24
Sthāna· The universe in orderŚākadvīpa and Its Fragrant Tree
“Outside the Ocean of Milk is another island, Śākadvīpa, which has a width of 3,200,000 yojanas [25,600,000 miles]. As Krauñcadvīpa is surrounded by its own ocean of milk, Śākadvīpa is surrounded by an ocean of churned yogurt as broad as the island itself. In Śākadvīpa there is a big śāka tree, from which the island takes its name. This tree is very fragrant. Indeed, it lends its scent to the entire island.”
What the purport teaches
- Śākadvīpa lies outside the Ocean of Milk and is 3,200,000 yojanas, or 25,600,000 miles, wide.
- An ocean of churned yogurt surrounds Śākadvīpa. This ocean is as broad as the island itself.
- The island takes its name from a large śāka tree. The tree’s fragrance spreads throughout the entire island.
Try this today
Write down the island’s name, its surrounding ocean and the tree that gives it its name.
Ask yourself
Which detail helps you remember the description of Śākadvīpa?
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.