O wise one, listen as the vastness of the earth and its mysteries are unfolded. The sacred texts reveal that the island and the ocean are equal in measure, and the next region is twice their size. In all the oceans, the waters remain ever equal, never showing deficiency or excess, just as water in a pot does not overflow when touched by fire. During the waxing and waning of the moon, O best of sages, the waters of the ocean increase and decrease, yet never do they exceed their bounds nor fall short. At the moon’s rising and setting, throughout both the bright and dark fortnights, the measure of the waters remains steady at one hundred and fifteen finger-breadths. These subtle increases and decreases are observed, O best of twice-born, and in the Lotus Island, food manifests of its own accord. The inhabitants of that island always partake of food with all six tastes, O Brahmins, and around the sweet waters, the existence of the world can be seen. Beyond this lies the golden land, twice as wide, devoid of all living beings. Next comes the mighty Lokāloka mountain, stretching ten thousand yojanas, its height matching its vastness. Enveloping this mountain on all sides is darkness, and that darkness is itself surrounded by the shell of the cosmic egg. This earth, O best of twice-born, extends fifty crores in measure. Along with the shell of the cosmic egg, its continents, and mountains, this earth is the supporter and creator of all beings, the foundation of all worlds, endowed with every quality. Thus, O best of sages, the expanse of the earth has been described. Now hear of its height, which is seventy thousand. The nether regions, each measuring ten thousand, are known as Atala, Vitala, Nitala, Sutala, Talātala, Rasātala, and Pātāla as the seventh. Their soils are black, white, red, yellow, gravelly, rocky, and golden. Within these lands, O foremost of Brahmins, are splendid palaces, where hundreds of races of Dānavas and Daiteyas dwell. The kin of the great-bodied serpents reside there, and the nether worlds, as Nārada has said, are more delightful even than heaven. Nārada spoke before the dwellers of heaven, saying that those who go from the nether worlds to heaven find radiant, delightful jewels there. The ornaments of the serpents adorn Pātāla, and none can equal that realm, which is graced by the daughters of Daityas and Dānavas. In Pātāla, even the liberated find delight, for the rays of the sun and moon give light but bring no heat. The moon at night brings only illumination, not cold, and there, intoxicated serpents enjoy abundant food and drink. Time passes unnoticed by the Dānavas and others in those realms. There are delightful forests, rivers, lakes, and lotus-ponds. The calls of male cuckoos and other birds, the most charming ornaments and garments, exquisite fragrances and ointments—all these are found there. The constant sounds of the vīṇā, flute, and mṛdaṅga fill the air, and many other pleasing things are enjoyed by the fortunate Dānavas. Daityas and serpents, dwelling in the various nether regions, enjoy these delights. Below the netherworlds abides the dark form of Viṣṇu. The Daityas and Dānavas cannot describe the qualities of Śeṣa, who is known as Ananta, worshipped by Siddhas, gods, and divine sages. He appears with a thousand heads, adorned with auspicious svastikas and lotuses, and thousands of jewels upon his hoods illumine all directions. For the welfare of the world, he renders all Asuras powerless. His eyes roll from intoxication, and he always wears a single earring. He shines, crowned and garlanded, like a radiant white mountain blazing with fire, clad in blue, swollen with pride, adorned with a splendid white hood. Like the supreme Kailāsa mountain with waterfalls and clouds, 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. Śeṣa dwells at the root of the netherworld, worshipped by all the gods; his power, might, true nature, and form cannot be described or known even by the gods. The whole earth, reddened by the crest-jewels on his hoods, is but a part of him. He rests as if garlanded with flowers—who can speak of his might? When Ananta stretches out, his eyes rolling with intoxication, the earth with its mountains, waters, and forests trembles. Gandharvas, Apsarases, Siddhas, Kinnaras, serpents, and elephants cannot reach the end of his qualities. Thus he is called Ananta, the imperishable. The sandal paste applied by serpent maidens is repeatedly dried by the wind of his breath, spreading in all directions. By worshipping him, the ancient sage Garga truly understood the stars and all the results described by omens. This best of serpents upholds the earth upon his head, supporting all worlds with gods, asuras, and humans. Then, O Brahmins, come the hells, beginning with Raurava, into which the sinful are cast. Listen, O best of twice-born: Raurava, Shukara, Rodha, Tana, Vishasana, Mahajvala, Taptakudya, Mahalobha, and Vimohana; Rudhira-andha, Vasataptah, Krimisha, Krimibhojana, Asipattravana, Krishna, Lalabhaksha, and Daruna. Each of these hells is a realm for those who have strayed from righteousness. Thus, the structure and wonders of the earth, its heights and depths, its realms of delight and suffering, and the mighty beings who uphold it, are revealed for your understanding.