Listen, O wise and reverent ones, as I recount the wonders of the lands beyond Bharata, as described in the sacred Purāṇa. In those blessed regions, seven rivers flow gracefully towards the sea, their very names said to wash away sin when heard. These sacred rivers are called Anutaptā, Śikhā, Viprāśā, Tridivā, Kramu, Amṛtā, and Sukṛtā. Alongside these rivers rise the principal mountains, and in their midst are countless lesser rivers and peaks, numbering in the thousands. The people living in those lands drink joyfully from these pure waters. Remarkably, all their rivers descend from the heights; none are known to rise from below. Among these seven regions, there is no division of time into the four ages as elsewhere. Instead, the passage of time there is always equal to the Tretā Yuga, an age of virtue and prosperity. O twice-born, in the islands of Plakṣadvīpa and beyond, even past Śākadvīpa, the people live for five thousand years, free from illness and suffering. Dharma flourishes there in its fourfold form, manifesting through the division of classes and stages of life. The four classes are known as Āryakas, Kurus, Viviśvas, and Bhāvinas—these correspond to Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras. At the very heart of that land stands a mighty Plakṣa tree, equal in size to the renowned Jambū tree. It is from this magnificent tree that the island derives its name, Plakṣadvīpa. In this realm, the Lord Himself is worshipped by all classes, beginning with the Āryakas. Hari, the creator and sustainer of all, appears here in the form of Soma. Plakṣadvīpa is surrounded on all sides by an ocean of sweet sugarcane juice, whose expanse matches that of the island itself. Thus have I described to you, O best of sages, the glories of Plakṣadvīpa in brief. Now, listen as I tell of Śālmalī Island. Śālmalī is ruled by the radiant lord Vīra, whose seven sons preside over its regions. Their names are Śveta, Harita, Jīmūta, Rohita, Vaidyuta, Mānasa, and Suprabha. This island, too, is encircled by an ocean of sugarcane juice, but its breadth is twice that of the island it surrounds. Upon Śālmalī rise seven jewel-bearing mountains and seven rivers, each marking a distinct region. The mountains are named Kumuda, Unnata, Balāhaka, Droṇa (where potent medicinal herbs abound), Kaṅka, Mahiṣa, and the lofty Kakudmat. The seven sacred rivers are Śroṇī, Toyā, Vitṛṣṇā, Candrā, Śukrā, Vimocanī, and Nivṛtti—each remembered as a giver of relief from sin. The regions themselves are named Śveta, Lohita, Jīmūta, Harita, Vaidyuta, Mānasa, and Suprabha. Within these lands dwell the four social classes: Kapila, Āruṇa, Pīta, and Kṛṣṇa—these are the Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras, each distinct in their duties and worship. Here, all worship the Blessed Lord Viṣṇu, the imperishable soul of all, who is present as the wind and established in sacrifice by the most devoted sacrificers. The presence of the gods is exceedingly delightful in these realms, and the great Śālmalī tree stands as a wish-fulfilling blessing for all. Śālmalī is surrounded by the ocean of Suroda, which matches the island’s size on all sides. Beyond this, the ocean of Suroda is itself encircled by Kuśa Island, which is twice the breadth of Śālmalī. In Kuśa Island, O twice-born, the sons of Jyotiṣmat rule the seven regions: Udbhida, Veṇumān, Svairatha, Randhana, Dhṛti, Prabhākara, and Kapila. Here, humans live alongside Daityas and Dānavas, and, as in other lands, gods, gandharvas, yakṣas, kimpuruṣas, and others also dwell. The four castes—Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras—are present, each devoted to their own prescribed duties. They are known for their discipline, energy, affection, and a gentle, contemplative nature. Because they perform the actions as previously established, and as their own rights are fulfilled, the people of Kuśadvīpa worship Janārdana in the form of Brahmā. Through their sacrifices, they dispel the intense results of actions and receive the fruits of their merits. The seven mountain ranges here are Vidruma, Hemashaila, Dyutiman, Puṣṭiman, Kuśeśaya, Hari, and the renowned Mandarāchala. There are also seven rivers: Dhutapāpa, Śiva, Pavitra, Sammati, Vidyut, Ambha, and Mahī—all of which remove every sin. In addition to these, thousands of smaller rivers and streams flow throughout the land. Kushastamba, the central pillar, is remembered by that name in Kuśadvīpa. The island is surrounded by an ocean of clarified butter, whose measure matches that of the island itself. Beyond the ocean of clarified butter lies Kraunchadvīpa, which is twice the size of Kuśadvīpa. Here, the seven sons of Dyutiman, the great-souled, reside and govern its regions. Their names are Kushaga, Mandaga, Ushna, Pivara, Andhakaraka, Muni, and Dundubhi. In these delightful regions, the gods and gandharvas are served, and all beings dwell in harmony. Thus, O best of sages, have the sacred islands, their rulers, mountains, rivers, and peoples been described, each land blessed with its own form of dharma, worship, and divine presence.