When Krishna told Rama, “It is not here,” Rama’s anger flared, and he rebuked Janardana with sharp words. Yet, restraining himself because Krishna was his brother, Rama declared, “Because you are my brother, I forgive you. Farewell—I am leaving. I have no business with Dvaraka, with you, or with the Vrishnis.” With this, Rama, the destroyer of foes, departed and entered Mithila, where the king honored him with every offering he desired. At that very time, Babhrus, wise and renowned, was performing all manner of sacrifices in many forms, without restriction. This illustrious son of Gandini entered into the sacred armor of consecration, seeking to protect the Syamantaka gem. For sixty years, this righteous soul dedicated other jewels and all kinds of wealth solely to sacrificial rites. These sacrifices, abundant in food and gifts and famed for granting every wish, became known as the Akrura-sacrifices. Meanwhile, King Duryodhana journeyed to Mithila and there received divine instruction in mace-fighting from Baladeva. Later, Krishna, the great soul, appeased Rama and brought him back to Dvaraka, accompanied by the mighty Vrishni and Andhaka warriors. It was then that Akrura, the best of men, joined with the Andhakas and, displaying his strength, killed Satrajit as he slept, along with Satrajit’s relatives. Krishna, fearing discord among his kin, chose to overlook Akrura’s deed. But when Akrura left Dvaraka, the lord of rain withheld his showers. The resulting drought left the land impoverished, and so the Kukuras and Andhakas sought to appease Akrura. When Akrura, the generous lord, returned to Dvaraka, the thousand-eyed Indra sent down rain again upon the region by the sea. Out of affection, Akrura, wise and noble, gave his virtuous sister in marriage to Vasudeva. Krishna, by his yogic insight, knew that the Syamantaka gem had come to Babhrū. In the midst of the assembly, Krishna addressed Akrura, saying, “That jewel, the excellent gem which is in your hand, O lord, give it to me; do not show me disrespect. When sixty years had passed, the anger within me had grown and recurred often; this has caused a great delay.” At Krishna’s word, Babhrū, wise and undisturbed, handed over the gem before the entire assembly of the Sātvatas. Krishna, destroyer of enemies, joyfully received the gem from Babhrū’s honest hands, but then, in turn, gave it back to Babhrū. With the Syamantaka jewel received from Krishna, the son of Gandini shone resplendent, like the radiant sun. At this point, the listener exclaimed, “What a great story you have told—of all the Bharatas and the kings, of the gods and demons, Gandharvas, serpents, Rākṣasas, Daityas, Siddhas, and Guhyakas. Their wondrous deeds, valor, steadfast dharma, and divine stories, and the highest, unsurpassed births—all this you have described. The creation of Prajāpati, the Prajāpatis themselves, the Yakṣas and Apsarases, all that moves and is still, the entire world’s diversity—you have recounted it all. This Purāṇa, told in gentle, pleasing words, bestows holy fruit and is as delightful as nectar. “Now, our curiosity is great. We wish to hear of the entire circle of the earth. Tell us, wise one: how many oceans, continents, regions, mountains, forests, and rivers are there? What are the holy gods and others? What is the measure of this world, its foundation, its nature? Please describe the world’s true structure.” The sage replied, “Listen as I briefly recount this, for even in a hundred years, its full extent could not be described. There are seven continents: Jambū, Plakṣa, Śālmala, Kuśa, Krauñca, Śāka, and Puṣkara. Each is surrounded by its own ocean—of salt, sugarcane juice, wine, clarified butter, curds, milk, and water, respectively. “Jambūdvīpa lies at the center, and in its midst stands Meru, the golden mountain. Meru rises eighty-four thousand yojanas high, extends sixteen thousand below, and at its summit spreads thirty-two thousand yojanas. At its base, it measures sixteen thousand all around, shaped like the kernel at the heart of a lotus. “To the south of Meru are Himavat, Hemakūṭa, and Niṣadha; to the north are Nīla, Śveta, and Śṛṅgī—these are the region-mountains. Two of these stretch a hundred thousand yojanas, the rest are ten thousand less; all are two thousand yojanas high and equally broad. “The first region is Bhārata, then Kiṃpuruṣa, and Harivarṣa—all south of Meru. To the north are Ramyaka, Hiraṇmaya, and the Northern Kurus, just as Bhārata is. Each of these regions measures nine thousand yojanas, and in their center lies Ilāvṛta, with golden Meru rising high.