Shreemad Bhagavat Mahapuran- Canto: 5, Chapters: 15-17
The Genealogy of Maharaj Bharat
Bharat → Son: Sumati (followed the path of Rishabhdevji)
Sumati → Wife: Vriddhasena → Son: Devatajit
Devatajit → Wife: Asuri → Son: Devadyumna
Devadyumna → Wife: Dhenumati → Son: Parameshthi
Parameshthi → Wife: Suvarchala → Son: Pratih (a preacher of self-knowledge and devotee of Shree Narayan)
Pratih → Wife: Suvarchala → Three sons: Pratiharta, Prastota, Udgata
Pratiharta → Wife: Stuti → Two sons: Aj and Bhuma
Bhuma → Wife: Rishikulya → Son: Udgith
Wife: Devakulya → Son: Prastav
Prastav → Wife: Niyutsa → Son: Vibhu
Vibhu → Wife: Rati → Son: Prithushen
Prithushen → Wife: Akruti → Son: Nakta
Nakta → Wife: Druti → Son: Udarakirti
Udarakirti (Rajarshi Gaya) → An expert in devotion to Bhagwan and governance.
Wife: Gayanti → Sons: Chitrarath, Sugati, and Avarodhan
Chitrarath → Wife: Urna → Son: Samrat
Samrat → Wife: Utkala → Son: Marichi
Marichi → Wife: Bindumati → Son: Binduman
Binduman → Wife: Sargha → Son: Madhu
Madhu → Wife: Sumana → Son: Veervrat
Veervrat → Wife: Bhoja → Sons: Manthu and Pramanthu
Manthu → Wife: Satya → Son: Bhauvan
Bhauvan → Wife: Dushana → Son: Tvashta
Tvashta → Wife: Virochana → Son: Viraj
Viraj → Wife: Vishuchi → Sons: Shatajit and 99 others, and a daughter.
Bhuvankosh – Description of Jambudweep and Mount Meru
King Parikshit humbly asks Shree Shukdevji, “O revered sage! You have described the vast expanse of the earthly realm, Bhumandal, illuminated by the Sun and Moon. You also mentioned that the wheels of Maharaj Priyavrat’s chariot created seven oceans, dividing the Bhumandal into seven islands. Please explain in detail the size, expanse, and unique characteristics of these seven islands.”
Shree Shukadevji responds, “Maharaj, the attributes of Bhagwan’s Maya are so vast and profound that even with a lifespan as long as the devas, one would still be unable to fully comprehend them. Therefore, I will describe the key features of the earthly realm, focusing on their names, forms, dimensions, and characteristics.”
Shree Shukadevji continues that Jambudweep, where we reside, is the central island of the seven that make up the lotus-shaped Bhumandal. It spans an area of one lakh yojanas (1 yojana = approximately 8 miles) and is divided into nine sections (varshas), each covering 9,000 yojanas, separated by eight mountain ranges. The central and most sacred section is Ilavrit Varsha, which is home to Mount Meru, the golden mountain.
Description of Mount Meru
Mount Meru, revered as the king of all mountains, is the central point of Jambudweep and the Bhumandal. The sacred mountain has the following characteristics:
- Golden Mountain: Entirely made of gold, radiating extraordinary brilliance.
- Dimensions:
- Total height: 1 lakh yojanas (84,000 yojanas above the earth, 16,000 yojanas below).
- Width at the peak: 32,000 yojanas; at the base: 16,000 yojanas.
Meru Parvat shines like the Sun, majestic and divine in appearance, and is surrounded by various mountain ranges that divide the regions around it:
- Northern Mountains: Neel Parvat, Shwet Parvat, Shringwan Parvat (marking boundaries of Ramya, Hiranyamaya, and Kuru Varsha).
- Southern Mountains: Nishadh Parvat, Hemkoot Parvat, Himalaya Parvat (marking boundaries of Harivarsha, Kimpurush Varsha, and Bharat Varsha).
- Eastern and Western Mountains: Gandhamadan Parvat (East) and Malyavan Parvat (West).
These mountains, with a width of 2,000 yojanas each, divide the varshas into distinct sections. Mount Meru, in its grandeur and brilliance, serves as the axis of Jambudweep, symbolizing divinity and cosmic balance.
Four colossal, divine trees surround Mount Meru, each 1,100 yojanas tall. These trees, resembling flags atop the mountain, have extraordinary features:
- Mango Tree (Mandar Parvat): Produces enormous mangoes, with the juice forming the Arunoda River, nourishing the eastern region of Ilavrit Varsha.
- Jambu Tree (Merumandar Parvat): Bears massive jamuns, with the juice forming the Jambu River, nourishing the southern region and creating Jambunad, a golden soil used for crafting ornaments for the devas.
- Kadamba Tree (Suparshva Parvat): Releases five streams of honey, which nourish the western part of Ilavrit Varsha.
- Banyan Tree (Kumud Parvat): Its aerial roots release wish-fulfilling items like milk, honey, clothes, and ghee, flowing into rivers that nourish the northern region of Ilavrit Varsha.
The divine beings surrounding Mount Meru possess extraordinary qualities:
- Their bodies never age or fall ill.
- A natural fragrance continuously emanates from them.
- They live in perpetual happiness and contentment.
Just as the central part of a lotus (karnika) is surrounded by filaments, the base of Mount Meru is encircled by 20 smaller and larger mountains. These mountains are named Kurang, Kurer, Kusumbh, Vaikank, Trikut, Shishir, Patang, Ruchak, Nishadh, Shinivas, Kapil, Shankh, Vaidurya, Jarudhi, Hans, Rishabh, Nag, Kalanjar, and Narad. Additionally, eight prominent mountains surround Mount Meru from all four directions. To the east are Jathar and Devakoot, to the west are Pavan and Pariyatra, to the south are Kailas and Karveer, and to the north are Trishringa and Makar.
At the summit lies a grand golden city of Brahmaji known as Brahmapuri. Surrounding this city are the cities of Indra and the Lokpals, each one-fourth the size of Brahmapuri.
Description of Divine River Ganga
King Parikshit listens attentively as Shukdevji narrates: "O King! During King Bali’s grand sacrificial ceremony, Bhagwan Vishnu, in His Vaman Avatar, expanded His foot to measure the three worlds. His left toe pierced the upper realms of the Brahmanda, causing a stream of water to gush forth from this divine opening. This sacred water, known for its unparalleled purity, possessed the divine power to eradicate all sins with a mere touch. It was initially called 'Bhagavatpadi.' After flowing for thousands of years, this celestial stream finally reached Dhruvlok in Swarglok, where it came to be revered as 'Vishnupad.'"
In Dhruvlok, Uttanapad's son, Dhruvji, reverently accepts this water on his head, considering it as Charanodak (water sanctified by God's lotus feet). Overcome with devotion, tears of joy flow from his eyes, and his body experiences divine ecstasy. Subsequently, the Saptarishis also hold this water in their matted locks, regarding it as the ultimate fruit of their penance. The flow of this river descends from Swarglok, touching Chandralok, and finally cascades onto the peak of Mount Meru in Brahmapuri. Here, the river splits into four streams: Sita, Alaknanda, Chakshu, and Bhadra.These rivers nourish various regions:
- Sita: Flows eastward to Bhadrashva, merging into the Eastern Sea.
- Chakshu: Flows westward to Ketumalvarsha, merging into the Western Sea.
- Bhadra: Flows northward to Uttarkuru, merging into the Northern Sea.
- Alaknanda: Flows southward, entering Bharatvarsha and merging into the Southern Sea.
Bathing in these waters grants the benefits of performing grand sacrifices.
Among these nine regions (Varshas), Bharatvarsha is the only land of karma (action), where spiritual practice and righteous deeds bear fruit. The remaining eight regions serve as places for celestial beings to exhaust the remaining fruits of their virtues, which is why they are called the heavens of Earth. The people of these regions, akin to gods, live for ten thousand years, possess the strength of ten thousand elephants, and experience immense vitality and joy. Toward the end of their lifespan, when only a year remains, their women conceive, ensuring a continuous cycle of life in these regions. The environment there always resembles the Treta Yug. In these nine regions, Bhagwan Narayan resides in various forms to bestow grace upon the inhabitants. In Ilavritvarsha, only Bhagwan Shankar exists as a male. Due to a curse from Devi Parvati, no other male may enter this region, for anyone who does so transforms into a woman. Further details about this will be described in the ninth canto. In Ilavritvarsha, Bhagwan Shankar meditates upon the Tamogun-dominated form of Sankarshan, one of the four divine manifestations of Bhagwan Vasudev, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, and Sankarshan. He worships this divine form by reciting sacred mantras and offering praises in deep meditation.
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 24.01.2025
