Between two wondrous regions of the world, there rises a single, immense mountain shaped like a ring. Here, humans dwell for ten thousand years, untouched by disease or sorrow. Their hearts are free from passion and hatred; among them, there is no distinction of lowest or highest, nor are there killers or victims. Envy, jealousy, fear, anger, fault, and greed are unknown to them. This great region lies outside, while within is Dhātakīkhanda. The Mānasottara mountain is revered by gods, demons, and other beings, yet in the island called Puṣkara, neither truth nor falsehood exist. There are no rivers or mountains in this island with its two regions. The people here are equal in form and appearance—radiant like the gods, all sharing one likeness. In Puṣkara, the usual divisions of caste and stages of life are absent. There is no practice of dharma, no three Vedas, no agriculture, punishment, or servitude. These two regions, O Brahmins, are the highest earthly heavens, bestowing happiness on all. Time here is free from old age and disease. Within Puṣkara, Dhātakīkhanda, and Mahāvīta stands the banyan tree, the supreme abode of Brahmā, in Puṣkaradvīpa. Brahmā himself resides here, worshipped by gods and demons alike. Puṣkara is encircled by an ocean of sweet water. The island and its ocean are equal in extent and circumference, and so are all seven islands—each surrounded by its own ocean. Both island and ocean are equal, and the next is twice their size; the waters of all oceans remain ever equal, never lacking nor exceeding, just as water in a pot does not overflow from contact with fire. During the waxing and waning of the moon, O best of sages, the waters in the ocean increase and decrease, but always within measure, neither exceeding nor falling short. At the moon’s rising and setting, and through both bright and dark fortnights, the measure is one hundred and fifteen finger-breadths. The increase and decrease of the oceanic waters is observed, O best of twice-born. In the Lotus Island, food appears spontaneously. The people there always partake of food with six tastes, O Brahmins, and around the sweet water, the existence of the world is seen. Beyond this lies a golden land, twice as wide, empty of all living beings. Then comes the Lokāloka mountain, stretching ten thousand yojanas across. Its height matches its breadth, and enveloping this mountain on all sides, darkness is established. This darkness is itself surrounded by the shell of the cosmic egg. The earth, O best of twice-born, is fifty crores in extent. Along with the shell of the cosmic egg, its continents and mountains, this is the earth: supporter and creator, endowed with all qualities of beings, the foundation of all worlds. Thus, O best of sages, the expanse of the earth has been described. Now hear of its height, which is seventy thousand. Each of the nether regions—Atala, Vitala, Nitala, Sutala, Talātala, Rasātala, and Pātāla—is ten thousand in measure. Their soils are black, white, red, yellow, gravelly, rocky, and golden. In these lands are splendid palaces, and hundreds of races of Dānavas and Daiteyas dwell there. The kin of the great-bodied serpents also reside here, O best of twice-born. Nārada has said that the nether worlds are even more delightful than heaven. He spoke in the midst of heaven’s dwellers: “Having gone from the nether worlds to heaven, one finds radiant, delightful jewels there.” The ornaments of the serpents adorn Pātāla, and who could equal that realm, adorned by the daughters of Daityas and Dānavas? In Pātāla, even the liberated find delight. The rays of the sun and moon give light but not heat; the moon does not bring cold at night, only illumination. Here, intoxicated serpents enjoy abundant food and drink. Though time passes, it is not perceived by the Dānavas and others. There are delightful forests, rivers, lakes, and lotus-ponds. The calls of male cuckoos and other birds, charming ornaments and garments, exquisite fragrances and ointments—these fill the nether worlds. The constant sounds of vīṇā, flute, and mṛdaṅga resound, O twice-born, and many other pleasing things are enjoyed by the fortunate among the Dānavas. Daityas and serpents, dwelling in the various nether regions, partake of these joys. Below the netherworlds abides the dark form of Viṣṇu. The Daityas and Dānavas cannot describe the qualities of Śeṣa, who is also known as Ananta, worshipped by Siddhas, gods, and divine sages. He appears with a thousand heads, adorned with auspicious svastika and lotus marks, and thousands of jewels on his hoods illumine all directions. For the welfare of the world, he renders all Asuras powerless. His eyes are rolling from intoxication, and he always wears a single earring. He shines, crowned and garlanded, like a radiant white mountain with fire, clad in blue, swollen with pride, and adorned with a splendid white hood. He is like the supreme Kailāsa mountain, with waterfalls and clouds. In his hand he holds a plough and bears the excellent mace. He is worshipped by his own radiance and by the form of Varuṇī. At the end of the age, from his mouths, blazing flames of poison arise. Rudra, in the form of Saṃkarṣaṇa, emerges and devours the three worlds. He bears the entire earth, raised up like a peak.