Is Vedic Cosmology of any interest to Devotees?

Some people are of the opinion that Vedic Cosmology as described by Srila Shukadev Goswami in the 5th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, is for Jnanis and not for the devotees.

Well we say, they can't be further away from the TRUTH.

First thing is, this description of Cosmology is narrated by the Top-most devotee Srila Shukadev Goswami to another stalwart and exhaulted devotee King Parikshit.

Secondly, it was narrated in an assembly of the devotees who are themselves the epitome of devotion to Sri Krishna; the likes of Srila Narad Muni and Srila Vyasadev (who is Shri Krishna's expansion).

So to think that, the cosmological descriptions are not for devotees, is just gross ignorance.

So one may ask, what exactly do we achieve (devotion wise) by understanding the arrangement of our Universe.

There are many different perspectives in which we can look at these seemingly DRY descriptions of cosmology.

Few of these different ways could be:

1. The Supreme Personality of Godhead Shri Krishna is the Supreme Artist. When one wants to appreciate an artist, it's not enough to appreciate him/her as a person. Instead, if one appreciates the artist's creation, then that is the real appreciation of that artist.
So in that sense, if we understand the phenomenal and fantastic arrangement of this Universal Creation, we will develop a natural appreciation for it's Creator. Thus we will be pleasing Lord Shri Krishna.

2. Mind well, this material Creation is mentioned as a Prison House (Durga - Fort) in the Vedic Scriptures. So if Shri Krishna would have decided to be neglectful, then he could have just created a basic functional dungeon for us Souls who have gone astray.
But no, he created such a beautiful and magnificient Prison for his beloved Parts-And-Parcels. Except the small tract of Bhu-Mandala called Bharat-Varsha, the entire Universe is a Heavenly Realm.
So Shri Krishna being the Supreme Father has given comfortable Heavenly Place for us Souls who are envious towards our Supreme Father.

Who can be more merciful than Lord Shri Krishna.

If he can create such a fantastic Prison House for us Non-Devotees; then we can't even begin to imagine what will our home (the spiritual world) be like when we become devotees.

This kind of understanding we can get by knowing about our Cosmos.

Hope this will encourage the readers to develop some interest in the 5th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam.

More interesting topics are to follow.

So as always... Please stay tuned...