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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 5 · The Creative Impetus · 26 chapters

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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.

Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Canto 5 · Chapter 17: The Descent of the River Ganges

5.17.9 5.17.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.17.10

Sthāna· The universe in order

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.17.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अन्ये च नदा नद्यश्च वर्षे वर्षे सन्ति बहुशो मेर्वादिगिरिदुहितर: शतश: ॥ १० ॥

anye ca nadā nadyaś ca varṣe varṣe santi bahuśo merv-ādi-giri-duhitaraḥ śataśaḥ.

Translation

Many other rivers, both big and small, flow from the top of Mount Meru. These rivers are like daughters of the mountain, and they flow to the various tracts of land in hundreds of branches.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Many Rivers Flow From Mount Meru

1
Many other rivers flow from the top of Mount Meru.
2
These rivers include both big and small streams. The translation describes them as daughters of the mountain.
3
They spread into hundreds of branches and flow to various tracts of land.

How it feels

Smallness → Awe and reverence. A vast cosmos changes the reader's perspective.

Chapters 15–25 of Canto 5: The cosmic regions and divine worship. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 17: The Descent of the River Ganges

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Many other rivers and their branches flow through the nine varṣas. The tract of land known as Bhārata-varṣa is the field of activities, and the other eight varṣas are for persons who are meant to enjoy heavenly comfort.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 5.17

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

anyemany others
caalso
nadāḥrivers
nadyaḥsmall rivers
caand
varṣe varṣein each tract of land
santiare
bahuśaḥof many varieties
meru-ādi-giri-duhitaraḥdaughters of the mountains beginning with Meru
śataśaḥin the hundreds

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

Sthāna · Planetary systems
How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does the image of rivers as daughters of the mountain help me appreciate in this description?

Practice

Sketch a mountain with branching rivers to help remember the verse’s description.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMany Rivers Flow From Mount MeruThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 5.17.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories