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

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.20.10

Who is speaking and story frame

तेषु वर्षाद्रयो नद्यश्च सप्तैवाभिज्ञाता: स्वरस: शतश‍ृङ्गो वामदेव: कुन्दो मुकुन्द: पुष्पवर्ष: सहस्रश्रुतिरिति । अनुमति: सिनीवाली सरस्वती कुहू रजनी नन्दा राकेति ॥ १० ॥

teṣu varṣādrayo nadyaś ca saptaivābhijñātāḥ svarasaḥ śataśṛṅgo vāmadevaḥ kundo mukundaḥ puṣpa-varṣaḥ sahasra-śrutir iti; anumatiḥ sinīvālī sarasvatī kuhū rajanī nandā rāketi.

Translation

In those tracts of land there are seven mountains — Svarasa, Śataśṛṅga, Vāmadeva, Kunda, Mukunda, Puṣpa-varṣa and Sahasra-śruti. There are also seven rivers — Anumati, Sinīvālī, Sarasvatī, Kuhū, Rajanī, Nandā and Rākā. They are still existing.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seven Mountains and Seven Rivers

  1. 1

    The seven mountains are Svarasa, Śataśṛṅga, Vāmadeva, Kunda, Mukunda, Puṣpa-varṣa and Sahasra-śruti.

  2. 2

    The seven rivers are Anumati, Sinīvālī, Sarasvatī, Kuhū, Rajanī, Nandā and Rākā.

  3. 3

    The translation states that these mountains and rivers are still existing.

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

Further reading

Chapter 20: Studying the Structure of the Universe

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The island is divided into seven regions, each with a mountain and a large river. The second island is called Śālmalīdvīpa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.20
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. teṣuin those tracts of land
  2. varṣa-adrayaḥmountains
  3. nadyaḥ caas well as rivers
  4. sapta evaseven in number
  5. abhijñātāḥunderstood
  6. svarasaḥSvarasa
  7. śata-śṛṅgaḥŚataśṛṅga
  8. vāma-devaḥVāmadeva
3

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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 5.20

    In this verse: “nandā”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I give patient attention to the names and details in this description?

Practice

Read the mountain and river names slowly, then copy one name from each list with its diacritics.

Live this todaySeven Mountains and Seven RiversThis 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 5.20.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.