Chapter 20 · Class prep
A printable handout for teaching this chapter. For each verse with Personal Guidance, you'll see Prabhupāda's translation, the essence, two or three practical applications, and a discussion prompt. Press ⌘P / Ctrl P to print as a handout.
BG 20.1
The great sage Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Hereafter I shall describe the dimensions, characteristics and forms of the six islands beginning with the island of Plakṣa.
Essence. Śukadeva begins systematic teaching about the six islands. The lesson for us is method: spiritual learning is not a hodge-podge of inspirations but a structured journey. Trust the order in which teachers reveal the map of reality.
BG 20.2
As Sumeru Mountain is surrounded by Jambūdvīpa, Jambūdvīpa is also surrounded by an ocean of salt water. The breadth of Jambūdvīpa is 100,000 yojanas [800,000 miles], and the breadth of the saltwater ocean is the same. As a moat around a fort is sometimes surrounded by gardenlike forest, the saltwater ocean surrounding Jambūdvīpa is itself surrounded by Plakṣadvīpa. The breadth of Plakṣadvīpa is twice that of the saltwater ocean — in other words 200,000 yojanas [1,600,000 miles]. On Plakṣadvīpa there is a tree shining like gold and as tall as the jambū tree on Jambūdvīpa. At its root is a fire with seven flames. It is because this tree is a plakṣa tree that the island is called Plakṣadvīpa. Plakṣadvīpa was governed by Idhmajihva, one of the sons of Mahārāja Priyavrata. He endowed the seven islands with the names of his seven sons, divided the islands among the sons, and then retired from active life to engage in the devotional service of the Lord.
Essence. One island is surrounded by an ocean, which is itself surrounded by another island — each protective layer holding another. So in life: relationships, communities, traditions, and the Lord nest around us in concentric care. Notice how many layers actually hold you.
BG 20.3-4
The seven islands [varṣas] are named according to the names of those seven sons — Śiva, Yavasa, Subhadra, Śānta, Kṣema, Amṛta and Abhaya. In those seven tracts of land, there are seven mountains and seven rivers. The mountains are named Maṇikūṭa, Vajrakūṭa, Indrasena, Jyotiṣmān, Suparṇa, Hiraṇyaṣṭhīva and Meghamāla, and the rivers are named Aruṇā, Nṛmṇā, Āṅgirasī, Sāvitrī, Suptabhātā, Ṛtambharā and Satyambharā. One can immediately be free from material contamination by touching or bathing in those rivers, and the four castes of people who live in Plakṣadvīpa — the Haṁsas, Pataṅgas, Ūrdhvāyanas and Satyāṅgas — purify themselves in that way. The inhabitants of Plakṣadvīpa live for one thousand years. They are beautiful like the demigods, and they also beget children like the demigods. By completely performing the ritualistic ceremonies mentioned in the Vedas and by worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead as represented by the sun-god, they attain the sun, which is a heavenly planet.
Essence. The seven varṣas named after seven sons each have mountains and rivers — and reciting their names frees one from sin. The reverence with which sacred geography is recited shows that even names of holy places are purifying. Take saying the names of holy things seriously.
BG 20.5
[This is the mantra by which the inhabitants of Plakṣadvīpa worship the Supreme Lord.] Let us take shelter of the sun-god, who is a reflection of Lord Viṣṇu, the all-expanding Supreme Personality of Godhead, the oldest of all persons. Viṣṇu is the only worshipable Lord. He is the Vedas, He is religion, and He is the origin of all auspicious and inauspicious results.
Essence. The sun-god is worshipped as a reflection of Lord Viṣṇu, the source of all auspicious and inauspicious results. Even what we worship as a worldly power is properly seen as the Lord's reflection. Trace every gift back to its actual source.
BG 20.6
O King, longevity, sensory prowess, physical and mental strength, intelligence and bravery are naturally and equally manifested in all the inhabitants of the five islands headed by Plakṣadvīpa.
Essence. On those islands, longevity, strength, intelligence, and bravery are naturally equal in all the inhabitants. Where the modes of nature are favorable, qualities are evenly distributed; in our world, inequalities are a feature of harder soil. Don't blame yourself for the difficulty of where you are; here, things are harder by design.
BG 20.7
Plakṣadvīpa is surrounded by an ocean of sugarcane juice, equal in breadth to the island itself. Similarly, there is then another island — Sālmalīdvīpa — twice as broad as Plakṣadvīpa [400,000 yojanas, or 3,200,000 miles] and surrounded by an equally broad body of water called Surāsāgara, the ocean that tastes like liquor.
Essence. Each island is surrounded by a different ocean — sugarcane juice, liquor, ghee, milk, yogurt, and sweet water. The point is that the Lord's creation has astonishing variety, far beyond what we have imagined. Stay humble before reality's range.
BG 20.8
On Sālmalīdvīpa there is a śālmalī tree, from which the island takes its name. That tree is as broad and tall as the plakṣa tree — in other words 100 yojanas [800 miles] broad and 1,100 yojanas [8,800 miles] tall. Learned scholars say that this gigantic tree is the residence of Garuḍa, the king of all birds and carrier of Lord Viṣṇu. In that tree, Garuḍa offers Lord Viṣṇu his Vedic prayers.
Essence. The śālmalī tree houses Garuḍa, the king of birds, who offers Vedic prayers to Lord Viṣṇu from there. Even the carrier of the Lord prays — he doesn't take his proximity for granted. Closeness to the Lord doesn't cancel the need to keep praying.
BG 20.9
The son of Mahārāja Priyavrata named Yajñabāhu, the master of Sālmalīdvīpa, divided the island into seven tracts of land, which he gave to his seven sons. The names of those divisions, which correspond to the names of the sons, are Surocana, Saumanasya, Ramaṇaka, Deva-varṣa, Pāribhadra, Āpyāyana and Avijñāta.
Essence. The father divided his island among his seven sons. Good leadership distributes responsibility rather than hoarding it. Make sure those you are responsible for inherit not just resources but the responsibility to wield them well.
BG 20.10
In those tracts of land there are seven mountains — Svarasa, Śataśṛṅga, Vāmadeva, Kunda, Mukunda, Puṣpa-varṣa and Sahasra-śruti. There are also seven rivers — Anumati, Sinīvālī, Sarasvatī, Kuhū, Rajanī, Nandā and Rākā. They are still existing.
Essence. Seven mountains, seven rivers — the land has order and rhythm. Spiritual life also flourishes within structure. The same number of mountains and rivers in island after island reminds us: structure is not bondage, it is the shape of fruitfulness.
BG 20.11
Strictly following the cult of varṇāśrama-dharma, the inhabitants of those islands, who are known as Śrutidharas, Vīryadharas, Vasundharas and Iṣandharas, all worship the expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead named Soma, the moon-god.
Essence. The inhabitants strictly follow varṇāśrama-dharma — they live according to spiritual duty, not personal preference. Outside Bhārata-varṣa, structure is preserved by their nature; in our world it must be chosen. Choose it consciously.
BG 20.12
[The inhabitants of Śālmalīdvīpa worship the demigod of the moon in the following words.] By his own rays, the moon-god has divided the month into two fortnights, known as śukla and kṛṣṇa, for the distribution of food grains to the pitās and the demigods. The demigod of the moon is he who divides time, and he is the king of all the residents of the universe. We therefore pray that he may remain our king and guide, and we offer him our respectful obeisances.
Essence. The moon-god is praised as the divider of time and distributor of nourishment to ancestors and demigods. Time itself is a service to the higher worlds. Don't see your days as raw material for your projects; they are offerings flowing upward.
BG 20.13
Outside the ocean of liquor is another island, known as Kuśadvīpa, which is 800,000 yojanas [6,400,000 miles] wide, twice as wide as the ocean of liquor. As Śālmalīdvīpa is surrounded by a liquor ocean, Kuśadvīpa is surrounded by an ocean of liquid ghee as broad as the island itself. On Kuśadvīpa there are clumps of kuśa grass, from which the island takes its name. This kuśa grass, which was created by the demigods by the will of the Supreme Lord, appears like a second form of fire, but with very mild and pleasing flames. Its young shoots illuminate all directions.
Essence. Kuśa grass, used in sacred ceremonies, grew on this island by the will of the Supreme Lord — even what looks like ordinary grass exists for the purpose of worship. Look at the ordinary things around you and ask: what part could this play in worship?
BG 20.14
O King, another son of Mahārāja Priyavrata, Hiraṇyaretā, was the king of this island. He divided it into seven parts, which he delivered to his seven sons according to the rights of inheritance. The King then retired from family life to engage in austerities. The names of those sons are Vasu, Vasudāna, Dṛḍharuci, Stutyavrata, Nābhigupta, Vivikta and Vāmadeva.
Essence. After dividing the island among his sons, the king retired to do austerities. Real leadership knows when to hand over and step into spiritual practice. Don't wait until you are forced — choose your retirement into devotion.
BG 20.15
In those seven islands there are seven boundary mountains, known as Cakra, Catuḥśṛṅga, Kapila, Citrakūṭa, Devānīka, Ūrdhvaromā and Draviṇa. There are also seven rivers, known as Ramakulyā, Madhukulyā, Mitravindā, Śrutavindā, Devagarbhā, Ghṛtacyutā and Mantramālā.
Essence. Boundary mountains and rivers mark the divisions of the land — limits keep things distinct and clear. Spiritual life also needs healthy boundaries. Don't be ashamed of your limits; they let each duty and relationship be properly performed.
BG 20.16
The inhabitants of the island of Kuśadvīpa are celebrated as the Kuśalas, Kovidas, Abhiyuktas and Kulakas. They are like the brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras respectively. By bathing in the waters of those rivers, they all become purified. They are expert in performing ritualistic ceremonies according to the orders of the Vedic scriptures. Thus they worship the Lord in His aspect as the demigod of fire.
Essence. The inhabitants bathe in sacred rivers and become purified, then perform Vedic ritual according to scripture. Purification, then proper action — the sequence matters. Do not skip the bath before the offering.
BG 20.17
[This is the mantra by which the inhabitants of Kuśadvīpa worship the fire-god.] O fire-god, you are a part of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, and you carry to Him all the offerings of sacrifices. Therefore we request you to offer to the Supreme Personality of Godhead the yajñic ingredients we are offering the demigods, for the Lord is the real enjoyer.
Essence. Agni, the fire-god, is the postal worker who carries offerings to the Lord. Demigods are servants, not destinations. Always check who is the ultimate recipient of your worship — the rest are couriers.
BG 20.18
Outside the ocean of clarified butter is another island, known as Krauñcadvīpa, which has a width of 1,600,000 yojanas [12,800,000 miles], twice the width of the ocean of clarified butter. As Kuśadvīpa is surrounded by an ocean of clarified butter, Krauñcadvīpa is surrounded by an ocean of milk as broad as the island itself. On Krauñcadvīpa there is a great mountain known as Krauñca, from which the island takes its name.
Essence. Beyond one ocean is another island, beyond that another ocean. Spiritual progress unfolds layer by layer. Don't expect to arrive after one breakthrough; the journey opens new oceans regularly. Make peace with that.
BG 20.19
Although the vegetables living on the slopes of Mount Krauñca were attacked and devastated by the weapons of Kārttikeya, the mountain has become fearless because it is always bathed on all sides by the Ocean of Milk and protected by Varuṇadeva.
Essence. Mount Krauṣca was attacked by Kārttikeya's weapons but recovered because it is bathed by the Ocean of Milk and protected by Varuṇa. When attacks have damaged us, refuge in the holy and divine protection bring restoration. Stay in the bath.
BG 20.20
The ruler of this island was another son of Mahārāja Priyavrata. His name was Ghṛtapṛṣṭha, and he was a very learned scholar. He also divided his own island among his seven sons. After dividing the island into seven parts, named according to the names of his sons, Ghṛtapṛṣṭha Mahārāja completely retired from family life and took shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord, the soul of all souls, who has all auspicious qualities. Thus he attained perfection.
Essence. Ghṛtapṛṣṭha, a learned scholar and king, voluntarily renounced family life and took shelter at the Lord's feet — and attained perfection. Learning and royalty did not satisfy him. Don't assume that more learning or more responsibility will solve what only surrender solves.
BG 20.21
The sons of Mahārāja Ghṛtapṛṣṭha were named Āma, Madhuruha, Meghapṛṣṭha, Sudhāmā, Bhrājiṣṭha, Lohitārṇa and Vanaspati. In their island there are seven mountains, which indicate the boundaries of the seven tracts of land, and there are also seven rivers. The mountains are named Śukla, Vardhamāna, Bhojana, Upabarhiṇa, Nanda, Nandana and Sarvatobhadra. The rivers are named Abhayā, Amṛtaughā, Āryakā, Tīrthavatī, Rūpavatī, Pavitravatī and Śuklā.
Essence. Each son ruled a land bordered by a mountain and watered by a river — every life properly bounded and properly nourished. The pattern repeats: clear borders, clear flow. Spiritual life is the same: know your edges, know where your nourishment comes from.
BG 20.22
The inhabitants of Krauñcadvīpa are divided into four castes, called the Puruṣas, Ṛṣabhas, Draviṇas and Devakas. Using the waters of those sanctified rivers, they worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead by offering a palmful of water at the lotus feet of Varuṇa, the demigod who has a form of water.
Essence. The inhabitants worship the Lord by offering a palmful of water at Varuṇa's feet. Sometimes the simplest, most modest gesture is a complete act of worship. Don't despise small offerings done with sincerity.
BG 20.23
[The inhabitants of Krauñcadvīpa worship with this mantra.] O water of the rivers, you have obtained energy from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore you purify the three planetary systems, known as Bhūloka, Bhuvarloka and Svarloka. By your constitutional nature, you take away sins, and that is why we are touching you. Kindly continue to purify us.
Essence. Water that has been energized by the Supreme Lord purifies whoever touches it. Whatever has been touched by the Lord transmits His purifying energy. Look for what He has touched and put yourself in contact.
BG 20.24
Outside the Ocean of Milk is another island, Śākadvīpa, which has a width of 3,200,000 yojanas [25,600,000 miles]. As Krauñcadvīpa is surrounded by its own ocean of milk, Śākadvīpa is surrounded by an ocean of churned yogurt as broad as the island itself. In Śākadvīpa there is a big śāka tree, from which the island takes its name. This tree is very fragrant. Indeed, it lends its scent to the entire island.
Essence. The fragrant śāka tree gives its scent to the entire island — one tree perfumes a country. One devoted soul can change the spiritual atmosphere of an entire community. Don't underestimate how far your sincerity perfumes.
BG 20.25
The master of this island, also one of the sons of Priyavrata, was known as Medhātithi. He also divided his island into seven sections, named according to the names of his own sons, whom he made the kings of that island. The names of those sons are Purojava, Manojava, Pavamāna, Dhūmrānīka, Citrarepha, Bahurūpa and Viśvadhāra. After dividing the island and situating his sons as its rulers, Medhātithi personally retired, and to fix his mind completely upon the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he entered a forest suitable for meditation.
Essence. Medhātithi divided his island among his sons and retired into meditation. Once duty is well-arranged, the wise step into solitude with the Lord. Plan the structure that lets you eventually disappear into devotion.
BG 20.26
For these lands also, there are seven boundary mountains and seven rivers. The mountains are Īśāna, Uruśṛṅga, Balabhadra, Śatakesara, Sahasrasrota, Devapāla and Mahānasa. The rivers are Anaghā, Āyurdā, Ubhayaspṛṣṭi, Aparājitā, Pañcapadī, Sahasra-śruti and Nijadhṛti.
Essence. Each river and mountain is named — significance is in particulars, not abstractions. Specificity is reverence. Bring the same care to naming the holy in your own life rather than speaking only in vague piety.
BG 20.27
The inhabitants of those islands are also divided into four castes — Ṛtavrata, Satyavrata, Dānavrata and Anuvrata — which exactly resemble brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya and śūdra. They practice prāṇāyāma and mystic yoga, and in trance they worship the Supreme Lord in the form of Vāyu.
Essence. The inhabitants practice prāṇāyāma and worship the Lord in His form as Vāyu, the life-breath. Breath itself becomes worship when offered to the Lord. The most automatic activity of the body can be turned into devotion.
BG 20.28
[The inhabitants of Śākadvīpa worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the form of Vāyu in the following words.] O Supreme Person, situated as the Supersoul within the body, You direct the various actions of the different airs, such as prāṇa, and thus You maintain all living entities. O Lord, O Supersoul of everyone, O controller of the cosmic manifestation under whom everything exists, may You protect us from all dangers.
Essence. The Lord as Supersoul directs the airs within the body and so maintains every living entity. The breath we think is ours is being given moment by moment. Asking for protection is honest because we are already being protected.
BG 20.29
Outside the ocean of yogurt is another island, known as Puṣkaradvīpa, which is 6,400,000 yojanas [51,200,000 miles] wide, twice as wide as the ocean of yogurt. It is surrounded by an ocean of very tasteful water as broad as the island itself. On Puṣkaradvīpa there is a great lotus flower with 100,000,000 pure golden petals, as effulgent as the flames of fire. That lotus flower is considered the sitting place of Lord Brahmā, who is the most powerful living being and who is therefore sometimes called bhagavān.
Essence. Puṣkaradvīpa holds a great golden lotus, the seat of Lord Brahmā. The most powerful creator sits on a flower, not a fortress. Real authority rests gracefully, not heavily. Let your work be a flower beneath you, not a stone weight.
BG 20.30
In the middle of that island is a great mountain named Mānasottara, which forms the boundary between the inner side and the outer side of the island. Its breadth and height are 10,000 yojanas [80,000 miles]. On that mountain, in the four directions, are the residential quarters of demigods such as Indra. In the chariot of the sun-god, the sun travels on the top of the mountain in an orbit called the Saṁvatsara, encircling Mount Meru. The sun’s path on the northern side is called Uttarāyaṇa, and its path on the southern side is called Dakṣiṇāyana. One side represents a day for the demigods, and the other represents their night.
Essence. Even the sun follows an orbit set for it; nothing in creation moves at random. Our days have rhythms we did not invent. Aligning with rhythms (sunrise, fasting days, prayer hours) connects us to a vast harmonized order.
BG 20.31
The ruler of this island, the son of Mahārāja Priyavrata named Vītihotra, had two sons named Ramaṇaka and Dhātaki. He granted the two sides of the island to these two sons and then personally engaged himself in activities for the sake of the Supreme Personality of Godhead like his elder brother Medhātithi.
Essence. Vītihotra gave the island to his sons and engaged personally in serving the Lord. Distribution of duties frees the soul to engage in undivided service. Don't try to do everything; arrange for others to do what they can so you can do what only you can.
BG 20.32
For the fulfillment of material desires, the inhabitants of this tract of land worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead as represented by Lord Brahmā. They offer prayers to the Lord as follows.
Essence. Even worship for material desires is included in the description — the path is wide. The Lord meets people where they are. Don't despise your own beginning-level worship, and don't despise others' beginnings either.
BG 20.33
Lord Brahmā is known as karma-maya, the form of ritualistic ceremonies, because by performing ritualistic ceremonies one may attain his position and because the Vedic ritualistic hymns become manifest from him. He is devoted to the Supreme Personality of Godhead without deviation, and therefore in one sense he is not different from the Lord. Nevertheless, he should be worshiped not as the monists worship him, but in duality. One should always remain a servitor of the Supreme Lord, the supreme worshipable Deity. We therefore offer our respectful obeisances unto Lord Brahmā, the form of manifest Vedic knowledge.
Essence. Brahmā, despite being almost one with the Lord, is to be worshipped in duality — not collapsed into the Supreme. Devotion preserves the personal relationship; it does not erase the distinction between worshipper and worshipped. Respect the difference; love thrives in it.
BG 20.34
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.
Essence. Beyond all the inhabited lands, Lokāloka mountain divides light from no-light. Some boundaries are not punishments; they are protections of the order of things. Trust that the limits of your reach exist for reasons larger than your inconvenience.
BG 20.35
Beyond the ocean of sweet water is a tract of land as broad as the area between the middle of Mount Sumeru and the boundary of Mānasottara Mountain. In that tract of land there are many living beings. Beyond it, extending to Lokāloka Mountain, is another land, which is made of gold. Because of its golden surface, it reflects light like the surface of a mirror, and any physical article that falls on that land can never be perceived again. All living entities, therefore, have abandoned that golden land.
Essence. There is a land of gold so reflective that anything that lands there cannot be seen again — it is absorbed into glow. Sometimes what 'disappears' has not been lost; it has been received into something larger. Trust the absorption.
BG 20.36
Between the lands inhabited by living entities and those that are uninhabited stands the great mountain which separates the two and which is therefore celebrated as Lokāloka.
Essence. Lokāloka stands between the inhabited and the uninhabited — a clear line between where life happens and where it doesn't. There is a kindness in being held in the inhabited side. We are not yet in the dark; that itself is grace.
BG 20.37
By the supreme will of Kṛṣṇa, the mountain known as Lokāloka has been installed as the outer border of the three worlds — Bhūrloka, Bhuvarloka and Svarloka — to control the rays of the sun throughout the universe. All the luminaries, from the sun up to Dhruvaloka, distribute their rays throughout the three worlds, but only within the boundary formed by this mountain. Because it is extremely high, extending even higher than Dhruvaloka, it blocks the rays of the luminaries, which therefore can never extend beyond it.
Essence. Lokāloka was installed by Kṛṣṇa's supreme will to control the sun's rays — even light needs a frame. The Lord arranges containers for forces that would otherwise scatter. Don't fight your own containers; they are why your life functions.
BG 20.38
Learned scholars who are free from mistakes, illusions and propensities to cheat have thus described the planetary systems and their particular symptoms, measurements and locations. With great deliberation, they have established the truth that the distance between Sumeru and the mountain known as Lokāloka is one fourth of the diameter of the universe — or, in other words, 125,000,000 yojanas [1 billion miles].
Essence. Scholars free from mistakes and propensities to cheat establish these measurements. Truth-speaking is itself a spiritual qualification. Cleansing yourself of the tendency to exaggerate or deceive is part of becoming able to receive truth.
BG 20.39
On the top of Lokāloka Mountain are the four gaja-patis, the best of elephants, which were established in the four directions by Lord Brahmā, the supreme spiritual master of the entire universe. The names of those elephants are Ṛṣabha, Puṣkaracūḍa, Vāmana and Aparājita. They are responsible for maintaining the planetary systems of the universe.
Essence. Four great elephants stand in four directions, maintaining the planetary systems. Foundational beings are doing invisible work to keep the world working. Honor the unseen supporters of your own world — those whose service holds you up.
BG 20.40
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the master of all transcendental opulences and the master of the spiritual sky. He is the Supreme Person, Bhagavān, the Supersoul of everyone. The demigods, led by Indra, the King of heaven, are entrusted with seeing to the affairs of the material world. To benefit all living beings in all the varied planets and to increase the power of those elephants and of the demigods, the Lord manifests Himself on top of that mountain in a spiritual body, uncontaminated by the modes of material nature. Surrounded by His personal expansions and assistants like Viṣvaksena, He exhibits all His perfect opulences, such as religion and knowledge, and His mystic powers such as aṇimā, laghimā and mahimā. He is beautifully situated, and He is decorated by the different weapons in His four hands.
Essence. The Lord, master of the spiritual sky and Supersoul of everyone, manifests on top of Lokāloka to benefit all living beings. The most exalted Person still comes to a manifest place where He can be reached. He does not wait to be found; He stations Himself for the needy.
BG 20.41
The various forms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, such as Nārāyaṇa and Viṣṇu, are beautifully decorated with different weapons. The Lord exhibits those forms to maintain all the varied planets created by His personal potency, yoga-māyā.
Essence. The Lord's various forms (Nārāyaṇa, Viṣṇu) are decorated with weapons to maintain the world through His personal energy yoga-māyā. Maintenance is also fierce work; protection requires power. The Lord's beauty and His armaments are not contradictory.
BG 20.42
My dear King, outside Lokāloka Mountain is the tract of land known as Aloka-varṣa, which extends for the same breadth as the area within the mountain — in other words, 125,000,000 yojanas [one billion miles]. Beyond Aloka-varṣa is the destination of those who aspire for liberation from the material world. It is beyond the jurisdiction of the material modes of nature, and therefore it is completely pure. Lord Kṛṣṇa took Arjuna through this place to bring back the sons of the brāhmaṇa.
Essence. Beyond Lokāloka is the destination of those who seek liberation — pure, beyond the modes of nature. Kṛṣṇa took Arjuna through this place. The path of liberation is not figurative; the Lord personally walks souls through it. Trust the guide.
BG 20.43
The sun is situated [vertically] in the middle of the universe, in the area between Bhūrloka and Bhuvarloka, which is called antarikṣa, outer space. The distance between the sun and the circumference of the universe is twenty-five koṭi yojanas [two billion miles].
Essence. The sun sits in the middle of the universe, balanced between upper and lower regions. Balance is a spiritual arrangement, not just a personal preference. Your own equanimity is a participation in cosmic order.
BG 20.44
The sun-god is also known as Vairāja, the total material body for all living entities. Because he entered this dull egg of the universe at the time of creation, he is also called Mārtaṇḍa. He is also known as Hiraṇyagarbha because he received his material body from Hiraṇyagarbha [Lord Brahmā].
Essence. The sun-god is called Vairāja, the total material body; he entered the egg of the universe at creation. Even the most majestic beings serve a function and have a history. There is no role too great that it doesn't carry humility.
BG 20.45
O King, the sun-god and the sun planet divide all the directions of the universe. It is only because of the presence of the sun that we can understand what the sky, the higher planets, this world and the lower planets are. It is also only because of the sun that we can understand which places are for material enjoyment, which are for liberation, which are hellish and subterranean.
Essence. Without the sun, we could not see directions or distinguish heaven from hell. Light reveals categories of existence we would otherwise confuse. Holy reference points play the same role: they let us tell what direction we're going.
BG 20.46
All living entities, including demigods, human beings, animals, birds, insects, reptiles, creepers and trees, depend upon the heat and light given by the sun-god from the sun planet. Furthermore, it is because of the sun’s presence that all living entities can see, and therefore he is called dṛg-īśvara, the Personality of Godhead presiding over sight.
Essence. Every living being depends on the sun's heat, light, and gift of sight; he is dṛg-īśvara, the lord of seeing. We did not create our own ability to see — it is constantly given. Bring gratitude into something as ordinary as opening your eyes.