Therefore, it is through this middle realm—the land of Bhārata—that mortals can attain heaven and liberation, for nowhere else on earth are actions prescribed for human beings. With this in mind, the sages, filled with longing, implored, “O Brahman, if you have compassion for us, describe in detail our land of Bhārata, just as it truly exists.” They entreated further, “O Lord, speak of this sacred land, its mountain ranges, and all the divisions within this region, leaving nothing unsaid.” Responding to their earnest request, the wise one addressed the assembly: “O twice-born, listen now as I recount the land of Bhārata, which is divided into nine regions, separated by the vast oceans yet mutually connected.” He named them one by one: Indradvīpa, Kaśeru, Tāmravarṇa, Gabhastimān, Nāgadvīpa, Saumya, Gāndharva, Vāruṇa, and the ninth—this island of Bhārata itself, surrounded on all sides by the ocean, stretching a thousand yojanas from south to north. To the east of this land dwell the Kirātas, and to the west, the Yavanas. At the farthest ends reside the Brahmins, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras—all four varṇas, O twice-born. These peoples, purified by their own acts—whether worship, battle, or trade—engage with one another according to these duties. From virtue and sin, heaven and liberation arise. Within this vast land stand seven principal mountain ranges: Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Śuktimān, Ṛkṣa, Vindhya, and Pāriyātra. Around these great mountains lie thousands more, wide and lofty, with delightful and varied peaks. Among them are Kolāhala, Vaibhrāja, Mandara, Dardalācala; Vātaṃdhaya, Vaidyuta, Maināka, Surasa, Tuṅgaprastha, Nāgagiri, Godhana, and Pāṇḍarācala; Puṣpagiri, Vaijayanta, Raivata, Arbuda, Ṛṣyamūka, Gomantha, Kṛtaśaila, and Kṛtācala; Śrīparvata, Cakora, and hundreds of others. Among these mountains live many peoples, including various groups such as the Mlecchas. From these mountains flow the greatest rivers, revered and life-giving. Know them, O best of the twice-born: Gaṅgā, Sarasvatī, Sindhu, and Candrabhāgā. There is also Yamunā, Śatadrū, Vipāśā, Vitastā, Irāvatī, Kuhū, Gomatī, Dhūtapāpā, Bāhudā, and Dṛṣadvatī. Vipāśā, Devikā, Cakṣur, Niṣṭhīvā, Gaṇḍakī, Kauśikī, and Āpagā all arise from the foot of Himavat, the mighty Himalayas. Other sacred rivers include Devamṛti, Devavatī, Vātaghnī, Sindhu, Veṇyā, Candanā, Sadānīrā, and Mahī. Along the Pāriyātra mountains flow Carmaṇvatī, Vṛṣī, Vidiśā, Vedavatī, Siprā, Avantī, and others. There are also Śoṇā, Mahānadī, Narmadā, Surathā, Kriyā, Mandākinī, Daśārṇā, and Citrakūṭā. Citrotpalā, Vetravatī, Karamodā, Piśācikā, Anyātilaghuśroṇī, Vipāpmā, and Śaivalā are also remembered. The land is blessed with the rivers Sadherujā, Śaktimatī, Śakunī, Tridivā, Kramuḥ, and those born from the roots of ṛkṣa trees, along with many other swift-flowing streams. Siprā, Payoṣṇī, Nirvindhyā, Tāpi, Veṇā, Vaitaraṇī, Sinīvālī, and Kumudvatī are excellent rivers, as are Toyā, Mahāgaurī, Durgā, Antaḥśilā, and those arising from the roots of the Vindhya mountains, all possessing holy and auspicious waters. The Godāvarī, Bhīmarathī, Kṛṣṇaveṇā, Tuṅgabhadrā, Suprayogā, and Pāpanāśinī flow among the best of rivers. From the Sahya mountains arise Kṛtamālā, Tāmraparṇī, Puṣyajā, and Pratyalāvatī. The Malayā mountains give birth to Pitṛsomarṣikulyā, Vañjulā, and Tridivā, whose waters are cool and purifying. From Mahendra flow Lāṅgulinī, Vaṃśakarā, Suvikālā, Kumārī, Manūgā, and Mandagāminī. From Śuktimat arise Kṣayāpalāsinī and other holy Sarasvatīs—all these rivers are Gaṅgās flowing to the ocean. They are the mothers of the world, remembered as destroyers of sin. Countless smaller rivers also flow throughout the land, some appearing in the rainy season, others throughout the year—Matsyā, Mukuṭakulyā, Kuntalā, Kāśikośalā. The diverse peoples of Bhārata are found along these rivers and mountains: the Andhras, Kaliṅgas, Śamakas, Vṛkas, and the peoples of the central region. On the northern side of Sahya, where the Godāvarī flows, lies a delightful region upon the earth. There is Govardhana city, charming and belonging to the great-souled Bhārgava; and the Vāhīkarāṭadhānas, Sutīrās, and Kālatoyadās. Among the many peoples are the Aparāntas, Śūdras, Vāhlikas with Keralas, Gāndhāras, Yavanas, Sindhus, Sauvīras, and Madrakas. There are the Śatadruhas, Kaliṅgas, Pāradas, Hārabhūṣikas, Māṭharas, Kanakas, Kaikeyas, and Dambhamālikas. The regions are inhabited by Kṣatriyas, as well as families of Vaiśyas and Śūdras, the Kambojas, Barbaras, and the common folk. There are also the Viras, Tusharas, men descended from the Pahlavas, the Atreyas, the Bharadvājas, the Pushkalas, and the Dasherakas. The Lampakas, Shunashokas, Kulikas with the Jangalas, Ushadhyas, Calacandras, and tribes of the Kiratas dwell here. The Tomaras, Hamsamargas, Kashmiris, Karunas, Shulikas, Kuhakas, and the Magadhas too are counted among the many peoples of this vast and sacred land. Thus, in the land of Bhārata, with its mountains and rivers, its many peoples and sacred places, are found all the means for mortals to perform their prescribed actions, to strive for virtue, and ultimately to attain heaven and liberation.