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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.
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Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.20.18

Who is speaking and story frame

तथा घृतोदाद्ब‍‌हि: क्रौञ्चद्वीपो द्विगुण: स्वमानेन क्षीरोदेन परित उपक्‍ल‍ृप्तो वृतो यथा कुशद्वीपो घृतोदेन यस्मिन् क्रौञ्चो नाम पर्वतराजो द्वीपनामनिर्वर्तक आस्ते ॥ १८ ॥

tathā ghṛtodād bahiḥ krauñcadvīpo dvi-guṇaḥ sva-mānena kṣīrodena parita upakḷpto vṛto yathā kuśadvīpo ghṛtodena yasmin krauñco nāma parvata-rājo dvīpa-nāma-nirvartaka āste.

Translation

Outside the ocean of clarified butter is another island, known as Krauñcadvīpa, which has a width of 1,600,000 yojanas [12,800,000 miles], twice the width of the ocean of clarified butter. As Kuśadvīpa is surrounded by an ocean of clarified butter, Krauñcadvīpa is surrounded by an ocean of milk as broad as the island itself. On Krauñcadvīpa there is a great mountain known as Krauñca, from which the island takes its name.

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.

Krauñcadvīpa and Its Surrounding Ocean

  1. 1

    Krauñcadvīpa lies outside the ocean of clarified butter. Its width is 1,600,000 yojanas, twice the width of that ocean.

  2. 2

    An ocean of milk surrounds Krauñcadvīpa and is as broad as the island itself.

  3. 3

    The island takes its name from the great mountain Krauñca, which stands upon it.

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 third island, which is surrounded by an ocean of clarified butter and is also divided into seven regions, is called Kuśadvīpa. Its master is Hiraṇyaretā, another son of Mahārāja Priyavrata, and its inhabitants worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the form of Agni, the fire-god.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tathāso also
  2. ghṛta-udātfrom the ocean of clarified butter
  3. bahiḥoutside
  4. krauñca-dvīpaḥanother island, known as Krauñcadvīpa
  5. dvi-guṇaḥtwice as big
  6. sva-mānenaas the same measurement
  7. kṣīra-udenaby an ocean of milk
  8. paritaḥall around
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which features help you remember Krauñcadvīpa’s place in this description?

Practice

Draw a simple labeled diagram showing the ocean of clarified butter, Krauñcadvīpa and its surrounding ocean of milk.

Live this todayKrauñcadvīpa and Its Surrounding OceanThis 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 5.20.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.