In those seven sacred lands, righteousness never wanes, nor does excessive joy or sorrow disturb the people. Boundaries are honored, and none transgress them. Among the inhabitants dwell the Magas, Magadhas, Manasas, and Mandagas: the Magas are predominantly Brahmins, the Magadhas are Kshatriyas, the Manasas are Vaishyas, and the Mandagas are known as Shudras. On the island of Shaka, Vishnu himself is present in the radiant form of the Sun, worshipped as Hari by those of disciplined mind, who perform the prescribed rites with devotion. Beyond Shaka island, O Brahmins, lies the vast ocean of milk, encircling it on all sides. This ocean is itself surrounded by a ring equal in measure to Shakadvīpa, and beyond this ring lies the renowned island of Puṣkara. Puṣkara is twice the size of Shakadvīpa in every direction, and it became the great region belonging to the son of Savana. Dhātaki, too, had two regions named after him—both bearing the same name—and another great region, Dhātakīkhanda, was established. In the midst of Puṣkara stands the famed Mānasottara mountain, rising in a perfect ring at the center. This mountain soars fifty thousand yojanas high and is equally wide, forming a circle that divides Puṣkaradvīpa into two distinct regions. Between these two regions, the ring-shaped Mānasottara mountain stands, and within this realm, humans live for ten thousand years, untouched by disease or sorrow, free from passion and hatred. Among them, there are neither the lowest nor the highest, no killers nor those to be killed. Envy, jealousy, fear, anger, fault, and greed are unknown here. The great region lies outside the ring, while Dhātakīkhanda is within. The Mānasottara mountain is honored by gods, demons, and others alike. In the island of Puṣkara, truth and falsehood do not exist; there are neither rivers nor mountains, and the humans are all of equal appearance, resembling the gods, all of one form. There is no division of caste or stage of life, no practice of dharma, no three Vedas, no agriculture, punishment, or servitude. These two regions, O Brahmins, are the highest heavens upon earth, granting happiness to all; time here is free from old age and disease. Within Puṣkara, Dhātakīkhanda, and Mahāvīta stands the great banyan tree, the supreme abode of Brahmā, in Puṣkaradvīpa. Here, Brahmā himself resides, worshipped by gods and demons. Puṣkara is surrounded by an ocean of sweet water, and its extent and circumference are equal. Thus, the seven islands are each encircled by seven oceans, each island and ocean equal in measure, with the next always twice the size of the previous. The waters of these oceans remain ever balanced, never exceeding nor lacking, just as water in a pot does not overflow when heated by fire. With the waxing and waning of the moon, O best of sages, the waters in the ocean increase and decrease, but never beyond their measure. At the moon’s rising and setting, during the bright and dark fortnights, the change is precisely one hundred and fifteen finger-breadths. Thus, the increase and decrease of the oceanic waters are observed by the wise. In the Lotus Island, food appears of its own accord, and the people always partake of six-tasted meals. Around the sweet water, the existence of the world is manifest. Beyond this realm lies a golden land, twice as wide, but devoid of all living beings. Then comes the mighty Lokāloka mountain, stretching ten thousand yojanas in length and height. All around this mountain, darkness is established, and this darkness, in turn, is surrounded by the shell of the cosmic egg. This earth, O best of twice-born, measures fifty crores in extent. Together with the shell of the cosmic egg, with its continents and mountains, this is the earth—the supporter and creator, endowed with all the qualities of beings, the very foundation of all worlds. Thus, O best of sages, has the expanse of the earth been described. Now hear of its height, which is seventy thousand. Beneath the earth are the nether regions, each measuring ten thousand: Atala, Vitala, Nitala, and Sutala, followed by Talātala, Rasātala, and Pātāla as the seventh. Their soils are black, white, red, yellow, gravelly, rocky, and golden. In these splendid lands, adorned with palatial dwellings, dwell hundreds of races of Dānavas and Daiteyas, and the kin of the great-bodied serpents. The nether worlds, as Nārada has declared, are more delightful even than heaven. He spoke among the dwellers of heaven, saying, “Having gone from the nether worlds to heaven, one finds there radiant, delightful jewels.” The ornaments of the serpents adorn Pātāla, and who can compare to that realm, graced here and there by the daughters of Daityas and Dānavas? Indeed, in Pātāla, who would not find delight, even one who is liberated? Here, the rays of the sun and moon bring only light, not heat or cold. The intoxicated serpents enjoy abundant food and drink. Even as time passes, the Dānavas and others do not perceive its flow. There are delightful forests, rivers, lakes, and lotus-ponds, making these lower realms a place of wonder and joy.