From the eastern quarter, the sacred river Bhadra journeys toward the vast Sarnava Ocean, while Alakananda, taking the southern path, flows into the land of Bhārata. As she travels, Alakananda divides herself into seven streams before finally reaching the ocean, O best of the twice-born. Similarly, the river Caksus, after crossing the western mountains, proceeds onward, as do all the other rivers, each following their destined course. Caksus, flowing alongside the land known as Ketumala, reaches the western ocean. Meanwhile, Bhadra herself crosses the formidable northern mountains and enters the realm of the northern Kurus. Passing beyond the northern ocean, she arrives at her destination, O best of the twice-born, traversing the twin mountain ranges of Anila and Nisadha, as well as the peaks of Malyavat and Gandhamadana. Between these two ranges stands the illustrious Mount Meru, rising like the stalk of a lotus. Around Meru lie the lands of Bhārata, Ketumala, Bhadrāśva, and the Kurus, each like a petal encircling the world-mountain. The leaves of this cosmic lotus, formed by the world-mountain, stretch beyond the boundary mountains. Among these boundary mountains are Jathara and Devakuta, marking the limits of the world. Anila and Nisadha are set to the south and north, while Gandhamadana and Kailasa stand guard to the east and west. Each of these mountains measures eighty yojanas in length and is rooted within the encircling ocean. Nisadha and Pariyatra are also counted among the great boundary mountains. Anila and Nisadha, ever steadfast, are found to the south and north, and to the west of Meru they stand just as they do to the east. To the north, the mountains Trisringa and Jarudhi define the region, stretching east and west within the ocean’s embrace. Thus, O twice-born, I have described for you the boundary mountains that surround Meru, always paired, two by two, in each of the four directions. In the four directions around Meru, beginning with the mountain Shita, are the splendid Kesara mountains, delightful beyond compare. Their inner valleys, frequented by Siddhas and Caranas, are enchanting and filled with ancient forests. O best of sages, within these sacred places are the foremost shrines of Lakshmi, Vishnu, Agni, Surya, Indra, and the gods, beautifully adorned by both humans and Kinnaras. Day and night, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, Daityas, and Danavas revel and play in these delightful mountain valleys. Indeed, these places are remembered as earthly heavens, abodes of the righteous; evil-doers, even after a hundred births, cannot reach them, O twice-born. In Bhadrāśva, the blessed Vishnu abides as Hayagrīva; in Ketumāla, he manifests as the Boar; in Bhārata, he takes the form of the Tortoise. Among the Kurus, Govinda dwells as the eternal Fish. Hari, the Lord of all, pervades everywhere in his universal form, the very foundation of all existence, O twice-born. As for the eight regions, beginning with Kiṃpuruṣa, know, O best of the twice-born, that in those lands there is no sorrow, no fatigue, nor distress, and no fear of hunger. The people are well, free from trouble, untouched by suffering of any kind. Their lifespans are steady, lasting ten or twelve thousand years, and they know no earthly affliction such as hunger or thirst. In those places, there is no awareness of the Krita, Treta, or other ages. Each region contains seven great mountain ranges, from which flow hundreds of rivers, O best of the twice-born. To the north of the ocean and south of the Himalaya lies the sacred land called Bhārata, home of the descendants of Bharata. This land, O best of the twice-born, extends for nine thousand yojanas and is the field of action where those who strive may attain heaven or liberation. Within Bhārata rise seven principal mountain ranges: Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Śuktimān, Ṛkṣa, Vindhya, and Pāriyātra. From this very land, one may attain heaven, liberation, or, departing from here, may be reborn as an animal or even descend into hell, O twice-born. Nowhere else is the field of action for mortals established. Hear now of the nine divisions of Bhārata: Indradvīpa, Kasetumā, Tāmraparṇa, Gabhastimān, Nāgadvīpa, Saumya, Gandharva, Vāruṇa, and the ninth, this 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 are the Yavanas. In the center dwell Brahmins, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and, in part, Śūdras, each engaged in their respective duties of sacrifice, warfare, trade, and other occupations. The rivers Śatadrū, Candrabhāgā, and others arise from the foot of the Himalaya, while others, as mentioned in the Vedas and Smṛtis, spring from the Pāriyātra mountains, O sage. From the Vindhya mountains flow the Narmadā, Suramā, and many other rivers. Tāpi, Payoshnī, Nirvindhyā, and the foremost Kaverī are among those that arise from the foot of Ṛkṣa, renowned for removing sin—Godāvarī, Bhīma, Rathī, Kṛṣṇā, Veṇī, and others likewise. The rivers flowing from the Sahya mountains are famed for removing sin and fear, and the Kṛtamālā and Tāmraparṇī, originating from the Malaya range, are foremost among them. Rivers such as the Ṛṣikulyā and Kumārā, and others, arise from the Mahendra and Śuktimat mountains, their sacred waters remembered by all. Among these rivers and their countless tributaries dwell the peoples of the Kurus, Pañcālas, and the central lands, as well as those in the eastern regions—Kāmarūpa, Pauṇḍra, Kaliṅga, Magadha, and all the southern lands. Likewise, the Saurāṣṭras, Śūdras, Ābhīras, Arbudas, Mārukas, Mālavas, and those living in the Pāriyātra region; the Sauvīras, Saindhavas, Śālvas, those residing in Śākala, Madras, Rāmas, Ambaṣṭhas, and the Pārasīkas and others—all find their homes in this vast and sacred land of Bhārata.