FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.17.4

ततोऽनेकसहस्रकोटिविमानानीकसङ्कुलदेवयानेनावतरन्तीन्दुमण्डलमावार्य ब्रह्मसदने निपतति ॥ ४ ॥
tato ’neka-sahasra-koṭi-vimānānīka-saṅkula-deva-yānenāvatar-antīndu maṇḍalam āvārya brahma-sadane nipatati.
[tato ’neka-sahasra-koti-vimaanaaneeka-sankula-deva-yaanenaavatar-anteendu mandalam aavaarya brahma-sadane nipatati.]
tataḥ — after purifying the seven planets of the seven great sages aneka — many sahasra — thousands koṭi — of millions vimāna-anīka — with contingents of airplanes saṅkula — congested deva-yānena — by the spaceways of the demigods avatarantī — descending indu-maṇḍalam — the moon planet āvārya — inundated brahma-sadane — to the abode of Lord Brahmā atop Sumeru-parvata nipatati — falls down.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
tato ’neka-sahasra-koṭi-vimānānīka-saṅkula-deva-yānenāvatar-antīndu maṇḍalam āvārya brahma-sadane nipatati.
tataḥ
after purifying the seven planets of the seven great sages
aneka
many
sahasra
thousands
koṭi
of millions
vimāna-anīka
with contingents of airplanes
saṅkula
congested
deva-yānena
by the spaceways of the demigods
avatarantī
descending
indu-maṇḍalam
the moon planet
āvārya
inundated
brahma-sadane
to the abode of Lord Brahmā atop Sumeru-parvata
nipatati
falls down.
After purifying the seven planets near Dhruvaloka [the polestar], the Ganges water is carried through the spaceways of the demigods in billions of celestial airplanes. Then it inundates the moon [Candraloka] and finally reaches Lord Brahmā’s abode atop Mount Meru.

We should always remember that the Ganges River comes from the Causal Ocean, beyond the covering of the universe. After the water of the Causal Ocean leaks through the hole created by Lord Vāmanadeva, it flows down to Dhruvaloka (the polestar) and then to the seven planets beneath Dhruvaloka. Then it is carried to the moon by innumerable celestial airplanes, and then it falls to the top of Mount Meru, which is known as Sumeru-parvata. In this way, the water of the Ganges finally reaches the lower planets and the peaks of the Himālayas, and from there it flows through Hardwar and throughout the plains of India, purifying the entire land. How the Ganges water reaches the various planets from the top of the universe is explained herein. Celestial airplanes carry the water from the planets of the sages to other planets. So-called advanced scientists of the modern age are trying to go to the higher planets, but at the same time they are experiencing a power shortage on earth. If they were actually capable scientists, they could personally go by airplane to other planets, but this they are unable to do. Having now given up their moon excursions, they are attempting to go to other planets, but without success.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
After purifying the seven planets near Dhruva-loka, the Gaṅgā’s water, carried on the path through the heavens by throngs of celestial airplanes, inundates the moon and finally reaches Lord Brahmā's abode atop Mount Meru. Deva-yānena means the path in the sky. Below the seven sages, the places are filled with those who perform karma-yoga. Thus tataḥ indicates “below, lower down” and saṅkula (crowd) indicates the many karma-yogīs. Flooding the moon planet, the Gaṅgā descends to the abode of Brahmā situated on the top of Meru.
Sacred water from beyond the universe makes a long journey before it reaches us. Grace does not arise from this material world — it descends through a chain of pure agents who pass it on. Honor the chain (paramparā, holy places, devoted communities) that delivers spiritual nourishment to your doorstep.
Reflection Questions
  • Who or what is the immediate channel through which spiritual life reaches me, and have I thanked them?
  • Am I content to receive grace, or am I also becoming a clean channel that carries it onward to others?
📝 My note

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