O wise one, listen as I recount the wondrous geography and peoples of the sacred regions. There are seven vast regions, each inhabited by the four social classes—Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. Even in the island of Śālmalī, these divisions are found among its inhabitants. In Śālmalī, the Brahmins are called Kapila, the Kshatriyas Āruṇa, the Vaishyas Pīta, and the Shudras Kṛṣṇa. Each group is distinct, and all worship the Blessed Lord Viṣṇu, the imperishable soul of all beings, who is present as the wind and established in sacrifice by the noblest sacrificers. The presence of the gods in Śālmalī is exceedingly delightful, and the great tree Śālmalī brings about the fulfillment of names and wishes. This island is surrounded on all sides by the ocean of Suroda, which is equal in extent to Śālmalī. Beyond this, the ocean of Suroda is encircled by Kuśa Island, which is twice the breadth of Śālmalī. Hear now of the sons of Jyotiṣmat who reside in Kuśa Island: Udbhida, Veṇumān, Svairatha, Randhana, Dhṛti, Prabhākara, and Kapila. These names designate the regions, and in them dwell humans together with Daityas and Dānavas. Likewise, the gods, gandharvas, yakshas, kimpurushas, and others inhabit these regions, and the four castes are present, each devoted to their prescribed duties. The Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras here are disciplined, energetic, affectionate, and slow-minded, as described. Because they perform their duties as previously prescribed, and due to the exhaustion of their own rights, in Kuśa Island they worship Janardana in the form of Brahma. Through sacrifices, they dispel intense results that grant the fruits of their rights. The regions are named Vidruma, Hemashaila, Dyutiman, and Pushtiman, as well as Kusheshaya, Hari, and Mandarachala—these seven are the mountain ranges of Kuśa Island. There are seven rivers whose names are Dhutapapa, Shiva, Pavitra, Sammati, Vidyut, Ambha, and Mahī, all removing every sin. Besides these, thousands of small rivers and streams flow throughout the land. In Kuśa Island, the sacred pillar called Kushastamba is remembered, and the island is surrounded by the ocean of clarified butter. Encircling this ocean is Kraunchadvipa. Kraunchadvipa is twice the size of Kuśa Island. In Kraunchadvipa dwell the seven sons of Dyutiman, the great-souled: Kushaga, Mandaga, Ushna, Pivara, Andhakaraka, Muni, and Dundubhi. These seven regions are delightful, served by gods and gandharvas. The mountain ranges here are Krauncha, Vamana, Andhakaraka, Devavrata, Dhama, Pundarikavan, Dundubhi, and Mahashaila, each twice as large as the next. In these beautiful regions and excellent mountain ranges, the inhabitants live without distress, together with hosts of gods. These people are abundant, flourishing, blessed, and renowned. The four social classes—Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras—are present in order. There are rivers from which they always drink: seven principal rivers and hundreds of smaller streams. The main rivers are Gauri, Kumudvati, Sandhya, Ratri, Manojava, Khyati, and Pundarika. These rivers flow through the regions, and there too, the Blessed Lord Janardana is worshipped in various forms, beginning with Pushkara, according to the divisions. In the practice of meditation and yoga, Rudra is worshipped at the time of sacrifice. Kraunchadvipa is surrounded by an ocean of curdled milk, equal in extent to the island itself. This ocean is, in turn, encircled by the island of Shaka. Shaka Island is twice the size of Kraunchadvipa, and its lord is Bhavya, a great and noble soul. He had seven sons, to whom he gave seven regions: Jalada, Kumara, Sukumara, Maniraka, Kusamoda, Modaki, and Mahadruma. These seven regions are named after his sons. There are seven mountains dividing the regions: Udayagiri, Jaladhara, Raivataka, Shyama, Ambhogiri, Astikeya, Ramya, and Kesari—the best of mountains. There is also the great tree Shaka, attended by Siddhas and Gandharvas. By the touch of the wind passing through its leaves, supreme delight arises. In Shaka Island, holy peoples of all four classes dwell—great souls, free from danger and disease. There are most sacred rivers, removing all sin and fear: Sukumari, Kumari, Nalini, Renuka, Ikshu, Dhenuka, Gabhasti, and Saptami. Besides these, tens of thousands of other small rivers flow. Hundreds and thousands of great mountains rise in these regions. The inhabitants of Jalada and the other regions drink from these waters with joy. In these regions, the peoples are endowed with a fourth part of virtue, and most sacred rivers descend from heaven to earth, purifying all who dwell there. Thus, O best of twice-born, are the wondrous regions, their peoples, mountains, rivers, and sacred trees, where all live in harmony, devotion, and blessedness, worshipping the Lord in his many forms and receiving the fruits of virtue and delight.