Text 14]
The Structure of the Universe
287
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.
PURPORT
From the descriptions in this verse, we can make an educated guess about the nature of the flames on the moon. Like the sun, the moon must also be full of flames because without flames there cannot be illumination. The flames on the moon, however, unlike those on the sun, must be mild and pleasing. This is our conviction. The modern theory that the moon is full of dust is not accepted in the verses of Śrīmad- Bhāgavatam . In regard to this verse, Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Thākura says,  suśaṣpāṇi sukomala-śikhās teṣāṁ rociṣā : the  kuśa  grass illuminates all directions, but its flames are very mild and pleasing. This gives some idea of the flames existing on the moon.
TEXT 14
तद्द्वीपपतिः प्रैयत्रतो राजन् हिरण्यरेता नाम स्वं द्वीपं सप्तम्यः स्वपुत्रेभ्यो यथाभागं विभज्य स्वयं तप आतिष्ठत वसुवसुदानद्दरुचिनामिगुप्तस्त्यत्रतविविक्तवाम- देवनामभ्यः ॥ १४ ॥
tad-dvīpa-patiḥ praiyavrato rājan hiraṇyaretā nāma svaṁ dvīpaṁ saptabhyaḥ sva-putrebhyo yathā-bhāgaṁ vibhajya svayaṁ tapa ātiṣṭhata vasu-vasudāna-drḍharuci-nābhigupta-stutyavrata-vivikta- vāmadeva-nāmabhyaḥ.
tat-dvīpa-patiḥ—the master of that island; praiyavrataḥ—the son of Mahārāja Priyavrata; rājan—O King; hiraṇyaretā—Hiraṇyaretā; nāma—named; svam—his own; dvīpam—island; saptabhyaḥ—unto seven; sva-putrebhyaḥ—his own sons; yathā-bhāgam—according to division; vibhajya—dividing; svayam—himself; tapaḥ ātiṣṭhata—