Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.21.2
Sthāna· The universe in orderUnderstanding the Space Between
“As a grain of wheat is divided into two parts and one can estimate the size of the upper part by knowing that of the lower, so, expert geographers instruct, one can understand the measurements of the upper part of the universe by knowing those of the lower part. The sky between the earthly sphere and heavenly sphere is called antarikṣa, or outer space. It adjoins the top of the sphere of earth and the bottom of that of heaven.”
What the purport teaches
- Expert geographers explain that the upper part of the universe can be measured by knowing the lower part.
- The comparison is to a grain of wheat divided into two parts: knowing one part helps one estimate the other.
- The sky between the earthly and heavenly spheres is called antarikṣa, or outer space. It adjoins the top of the earthly sphere and the bottom of the heavenly sphere.
Try this today
Draw two regions with a space between them, and label the intervening space antarikṣa.
Ask yourself
How does the example of a divided grain help me understand 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.