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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.
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Canto 5 · Chapter 20: Studying the Structure of the Universe
5.20.335.20.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.20.34

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.20.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ऋषिरुवाच

तत: परस्ताल्लोकालोकनामाचलो लोकालोकयोरन्तराले परित उपक्षिप्त: ॥ ३४ ॥

tataḥ parastāl lokāloka-nāmācalo lokālokayor antarāle parita upakṣiptaḥ.

Translation

Thereafter, beyond the ocean of sweet water and fully surrounding it, is a mountain named Lokāloka, which divides the countries that are full of sunlight from those not lit by the sun.

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.

Lokāloka Divides Sunlight From Darkness

  1. 1

    Lokāloka Mountain lies beyond the ocean of sweet water.

  2. 2

    The mountain fully surrounds that ocean.

  3. 3

    It divides the countries illuminated by the sun from those without sunlight.

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 in two by a large mountain named Mānasottara. The inhabitants of this island worship Svayambhū, another feature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥfrom that ocean of sweet drinking water
  2. parastātbeyond
  3. lokāloka-nāmanamed Lokāloka
  4. acalaḥa mountain
  5. loka-alokayoḥ antarālebetween the countries full of sunlight and those without sunlight
  6. paritaḥall around
  7. upakṣiptaḥexists
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 5.20

    In this verse: “sweet”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does this verse help me understand about Lokāloka’s location and role?

Practice

Draw a simple diagram showing the sweet-water ocean and the surrounding Lokāloka Mountain.

Live this todayLokāloka Divides Sunlight From DarknessThis 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 5.20.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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