Listen, O best of sages, to the wondrous geography of the sacred realms surrounding Mount Meru, the axis of the universe. Four splendid lakes—Aruṇoda, Mahābhadra, Asitoda, and Samānasam—are ever enjoyed by the gods and grace that celestial region with their divine presence. To the east of Meru rise the Kesarācalas: Śāntavān, Cakrakuñja, Kurarī, and Mālyavān, all led by mighty Vaikaṅka. To the south, the Kesaraparvatas—Trikūṭa, Śiśira, Pataṅga, Rucaka, Niṣadha, and others—stand watch. The western direction is adorned by Śikhivāsa, Savaidūrya, Kapila, and Gandhamādana, with Jānudhi as their foremost. To the north, the Kesarācalas begin with Kālañjara and continue on, where a great city stretches for fourteen thousand yojanas. Encircling Meru, beginning with the region of Jaṭhara, are the mountains Śaṅkhakūṭa, Ṛṣabha, Haṃsa, Nāga, and others. Above Meru itself, O best of Brāhmaṇas, shines the celestial city of Brahmā, resplendent in the heavens and present in all eight directions and their intermediates. There also are the renowned cities of Indra and the other guardians of the worlds, emanating from the feet of Viṣṇu and radiating their glory up to the realm of the moon. From the heavens, the sacred Ganga descended, falling all around the city of Brahmā. Upon reaching that place, she divided herself into four mighty streams, each flowing toward a different direction. These are known as Sita, Alakananda, Caksus, and Bhadra. First, Sita courses through the sky from mountain to mountain; Bhadra flows eastward to the ocean of Sarnava; Alakananda journeys southward, blessing the land of Bhārata, where she becomes sevenfold before reaching the ocean. Caksus, traversing the western mountains, flows to the western ocean through the land called Ketumala, while Bhadra crosses the northern mountains and the northern Kurus, finally reaching the northern ocean. Between the twin ranges of Anila and Niṣadha, as well as Malyavat and Gandhamadana, stands Meru, shaped like the stalk of a lotus. Surrounding it are the lands of Bhārata, Ketumala, Bhadrāśva, and the Kurus. The leaves of the world-mountain extend beyond the boundary mountains, among which Jaṭhara and Devakuta are especially noted. Anila and Niṣadha stand to the south and north, Gandhamadana and Kailasa to the east and west, each eighty yojanas in length and set within the ocean. Nisadha and Pariyatra are also boundary mountains, with Anila and Nisadha flanking Meru to the south and north, both on the eastern and western sides. Further, Trisringa and Jarudhi are the northern mountains, stretching east and west within the ocean. Thus, O twice-born, have the boundary mountains around Meru been described—two by two in every direction. The Kesara mountains, which I have mentioned in the four directions of Meru, beginning with Shita, are exceedingly delightful. Their inner valleys, frequented by Siddhas and Caranas, are enchanting and hold ancient forests. In these sacred places are the foremost shrines of Lakshmi, Vishnu, Agni, Surya, Indra, and other gods, adorned by humans and Kinnaras. Gandharvas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, Daityas, and Danavas all delight in these lovely valleys, day and night. Indeed, these places are remembered as earthly heavens, abodes of the virtuous; evil-doers cannot reach them, not even in a hundred births. In Bhadrāśva, the blessed Viṣṇu abides as Hayagrīva; in Ketumāla, he is the Boar; in Bhārata, he takes the form of the Tortoise. Among the Kurus, Govinda dwells in the form of the eternal Fish, and Hari, the Lord of all, is present everywhere in his universal form. He is the very foundation of all, pervading everything. In the eight regions, beginning with Kiṃpuruṣa, there is no sorrow, no fatigue, no distress, nor fear of hunger. The people are well, free from trouble, untouched by suffering. Their lifespans are steady, lasting ten or twelve thousand years, and they know no affliction such as hunger or thirst. There is no awareness of the Krita, Treta, or other yugas in those lands. Each region is adorned with seven great mountain ranges, from which hundreds of rivers arise. Now, hear of the land of Bhārata. To the north of the ocean and south of the Himalaya lies this sacred land, named for the lineage of Bharata. It spans nine thousand yojanas and is the realm of action, where mortals strive for heaven or liberation. Here rise the seven principal mountains: Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Śuktimān, Ṛkṣa, Vindhya, and Pāriyātra. From this land, one may attain heaven, liberation, or, departing from here, may be born as an animal or descend to hell. Nowhere else is the field of action for mortals established. Hear also of the nine divisions of Bhārata: Indradvīpa, Kasetumā, Tāmraparṇa, Gabhastimān, Nāgadvīpa, Saumya, Gandharva, Vāruṇa, and the ninth, the island surrounded by the ocean. This island stretches a thousand yojanas from south to north; in the east dwell the Kirātas, and in the west reside the Yavanas. Thus is revealed the sacred geography of the world, the abodes of gods, sages, and mortals, sanctified by the presence of the divine.