The sages, their minds shining with purity, approached Vyāsa, the knower of the Vedas, the scriptures, the Purāṇas, the Āgamas, the Mahābhārata, and all speech—past, present, and future. With humility, they addressed him: “O revered sage, in this difficult, sorrowful, and empty ocean of existence, filled with the fierce crocodiles of attachment and flooded by the waters of sense objects, we are tossed about. The senses whirl us like waves, perceptions crowd our minds, and the mire of delusion muddies our path. We find ourselves in a dangerous, deep, and hard-to-cross abyss of greed. Seeing the world sinking, unsupported and unconscious, we turn to you, O greatly fortunate one. Please, best of sages, tell us: what is the highest good in this terrifying, hair-raising cycle of existence? Instruct the people for their upliftment. “Speak to us of the rare, supreme field that grants liberation, and of the earth as the realm of action—we are eager to hear. For a person who performs actions properly on the field of earth, as prescribed, attains supreme accomplishment; but by wrong actions, falls to hell. Likewise, in the field of liberation, the wise attain liberation. Therefore, O great sage, answer what we have asked, O best of the twice-born.” Hearing these earnest words from the sages, Vyāsa, the blessed one who knows past, present, and future, replied to them. “Listen, O sages, since you have asked, I will recount the ancient dialogue that once took place between the sages and Brahmā. “On the vast summit of Mount Meru, adorned with precious jewels, covered with many trees and vines, and beautified by a profusion of flowers, there was a wondrous gathering. The air was delightful with the calls of many birds, the blossoming of countless plants, and the presence of diverse creatures. The mountain sparkled with many-colored stones, shone with various metals, and was filled with sages of many kinds, each dwelling in their own hermitage. “There, upon that sacred mountain, sat the Lord of the universe, the four-faced Brahmā, master of the world, revered by all beings, the very foundation of existence—the Supreme Lord. He was surrounded by gods, demons, gandharvas, yakshas, vidyadharas, serpents, sages, siddhas, apsarases, and all who dwell in the heavens. Some praised him with hymns, some sang, some played musical instruments, and others danced in joy. The southern breeze carried the scents of many flowers, adding to the festive atmosphere as all beings gathered. “At that auspicious moment, Bhrigu and the other great sages, bowing respectfully to their grandsire, Brahmā, asked him: ‘O Lord, we wish to hear about the land of action on earth; you alone are worthy to speak, O Lord of the gods, also of the rare field of liberation.’ “Hearing their words, Brahmā, the lord of the gods, replied, for the best of sages had asked everything just as it should be. ‘Hear, O sages, what I will now declare: an ancient account connected to the Vedas, auspicious, granting both enjoyment and liberation. “‘On earth, the land called Bhārata is known as the field of action, the land where deeds bear fruit, as well as heaven and hell. In that land, O twice-born, a person certainly receives the result of both sinful and virtuous deeds. Brahmins and others, performing their own duties with self-restraint, attain the highest perfection in that land—of this there is no doubt. One who is well-restrained attains in that land all four aims of life: righteousness, wealth, pleasure, and liberation. “‘Even Indra and the other gods, having performed excellent deeds in Bhārata, attained divinity. Other wise men, peaceful, free from passion and envy, with controlled senses, also attained liberation there. Those who dwell in heaven, free from suffering and riding in aerial chariots, reached such heights by performing virtuous deeds in that land. The gods themselves always long for residence in the land of Bhārata, which yields the fruits of heaven and liberation; they ask, “When shall we see it?” “‘O best of gods, the deeds you have described yield merit or sin nowhere else but in Bhārata. Therefore, heaven and liberation are attained through this middle realm; nowhere else on earth are actions prescribed for mortals. Therefore, O Brahman, describe our land of Bhārata in detail, if you have compassion for us, and as it truly exists. Tell of this land, its mountain ranges, and all the divisions of this region, without omission. “‘Hear now of the land of Bhārata, O twice-born, divided into nine parts, separated by oceans, and mutually connected: Indradvīpa, Kaśeru, Tāmravarṇa, Gabhastimān, Nāgadvīpa, Saumya, Gāndharva, Vāruṇa, and the ninth—this, which is an island surrounded by the ocean, stretching a thousand yojanas from south to north. “‘To its east dwell the Kirātas, to the west the Yavanas; at the ends reside Brahmins, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras, O twice-born. Purified by acts such as worship, battle, and trade, their mutual dealings are governed by these actions. Heaven and liberation arise from virtue and sin. Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Śuktimān, and Ṛkṣa are the chief mountains. Vindhya and Pāriyātra—these are the seven principal mountain ranges here, and thousands of other mountains lie nearby.’ “In this way,” Vyāsa said, “did Brahmā reveal the greatness and the divisions of Bhārata, the field of action and the path to liberation, to the assembled sages upon holy Meru.