FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.1.40

भूसंस्थानं कृतं येन सरिद्ग‍िरिवनादिभि: सीमा च भूतनिर्वृत्यै द्वीपे द्वीपे विभागश: ॥ ४० ॥
bhū-saṁsthānaṁ kṛtaṁ yena
[bhoo-samsthaanam kritam yena]
sarid-giri-vanādibhiḥ
[sarid-giri-vanaadibhih]
sīmā ca bhūta-nirvṛtyai
[seemaa cha bhoota-nirvrityai]
dvīpe dvīpe vibhāgaśaḥ
[dveepe dveepe vibhaagashah]
bhū-saṁsthānam — the situation of the earth kṛtam — done yena — by whom sarit — by rivers giri — by hills and mountains vana-ādibhiḥ — by forests and so on sīmā — boundaries ca — also bhūta — of different nations nirvṛtyai — to stop fighting dvīpe dvīpe — on the various islands vibhāgaśaḥ — separately.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
bhū-saṁsthānaṁ kṛtaṁ yena
bhū-saṁsthānam
the situation of the earth
kṛtam
done
yena
by whom
sarid-giri-vanādibhiḥ
sarit
by rivers
giri
by hills and mountains
vana-ādibhiḥ
by forests and so on
sīmā ca bhūta-nirvṛtyai
sīmā
boundaries
ca
also
bhūta
of different nations
nirvṛtyai
to stop fighting
dvīpe dvīpe vibhāgaśaḥ
dvīpe dvīpe
on the various islands
vibhāgaśaḥ
separately.
“To stop the quarreling among different peoples, Mahārāja Priyavrata marked boundaries at rivers and at the edges of mountains and forests so that no one would trespass upon another’s property.”

The example set by Mahārāja Priyavrata in marking off different states is still followed. As indicated here, different classes of men are destined to live in different areas, and therefore the boundaries of various tracts of land, which are described here as islands, should be defined by different rivers, forests and hills. This is also mentioned in relation to Mahārāja Pṛthu, who was born from the dead body of his father by the manipulation of great sages. Mahārāja Pṛthu’s father was very sinful, and therefore a black man called Niṣāda was first born from his dead body. The Naiṣāda race was given a place in the forest because by nature they are thieves and rogues. As animals are given places in various forests and hills, men who are like animals are also destined to live there. One cannot be promoted to civilized life unless one comes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, for by nature one is destined to live in a particular situation according to one’s karma and association with the modes of nature. If men want to live in harmony and peace, they must take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, for they cannot achieve the highest standard while absorbed in the bodily concept of life. Mahārāja Priyavrata divided the surface of the globe into different islands so that each class of men would live peacefully and not clash with the others. The modern idea of nationhood has gradually developed from the divisions made by Mahārāja Priyavrata.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
He arranged the situation of the earth for the welfare of the people so that there were divisions and borders for each continent by means of rivers, mountains and forests. He arranged the earth with continents, and made boundaries by rivers and mountains for the happiness of the leaders of the people, so they could exist without quarrelling.
Wise leadership sets clear boundaries so that different communities can live peacefully without trespassing on one another. Boundaries are not barriers to love; they are the conditions that make sane coexistence possible.
Reflection Questions
  • Where do you need clearer boundaries in your own life to reduce avoidable conflict?
  • Are you respecting the boundaries others have set, or quietly stepping over them?
📝 My note

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