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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 ›
Canto 5 · Chapter 24: The Subterranean Heavenly Planets
5.24.15.24.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.24.2

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.24.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यददस्तरणेर्मण्डलं प्रतपतस्तद्विस्तरतो योजनायुतमाचक्षते द्वादशसहस्रं सोमस्य त्रयोदशसहस्रं राहोर्य: पर्वणि तद्‌व्य‍वधानकृद्वैरानुबन्ध: सूर्याचन्द्रमसावभिधावति ॥ २ ॥

yad adas taraṇer maṇḍalaṁ pratapatas tad vistarato yojanāyutam ācakṣate dvādaśa-sahasraṁ somasya trayodaśa-sahasraṁ rāhor yaḥ parvaṇi tad-vyavadhāna-kṛd vairānubandhaḥ sūryā-candramasāv abhidhāvati.

Translation

The sun globe, which is a source of heat, extends for 10,000 yojanas [80,000 miles]. The moon extends for 20,000 yojanas [160,000 miles], and Rāhu extends for 30,000 yojanas [240,000 miles]. Formerly, when nectar was being distributed, Rāhu tried to create dissension between the sun and moon by interposing himself between them. Rāhu is inimical toward both the sun and the moon, and therefore he always tries to cover the sunshine and moonshine on the dark-moon day and full-moon night.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Rāhu’s Enmity Toward Sun and Moon

  1. 1

    The sun extends for 10,000 yojanas, and the moon for 20,000 yojanas. The purport explains that dvādaśa here means twice ten, or twenty.

  2. 2

    The translation gives Rāhu’s extent as 30,000 yojanas. The purport also presents Vijayadhvaja’s conclusion that Rāhu is twice the size of the moon, or 40,000 yojanas.

  3. 3

    During the distribution of nectar, Rāhu tried to create dissension between the sun and moon. His continuing enmity leads him to try to cover their light.

Key points from the purport
  • As stated herein, the sun extends for 10,000 yojanas, and the moon extends for twice that, or 20,000 yojanas.
  • In the opinion of Vijayadhvaja, the extent of Rāhu should be twice that of the moon, or 40,000 yojanas.
  • This means that Rāhu is twice as large as the moon, which is twice as large as the sun.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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 24: The Subterranean Heavenly Planets

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

This chapter describes the planet Rāhu, which is 10,000 yojanas (80,000 miles) below the sun, and it also describes Atala and the other lower planetary systems. Rāhu is situated below the sun and moon.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.24
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatwhich
  2. adaḥthat
  3. taraṇeḥof the sun
  4. maṇḍalamglobe
  5. pratapataḥwhich is always distributing heat
  6. tatthat
  7. vistarataḥin terms of width
  8. yojanaa distance of eight miles
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

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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does Rāhu’s repeated hostility invite me to notice about holding on to enmity?

Practice

If an old resentment comes to mind today, pause before saying anything that would renew the disagreement.

Live this todayRāhu’s Enmity Toward Sun and MoonThis 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 5.24.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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