In that sacred land, there rises a wondrous expanse of mountains: wide, lofty, and delightful, stretching vast across the earth. Among their varied peaks are Kolāhala, Vaibhrāja, Mandara, and Dardalācala, each unique in form and grandeur. Alongside them stand Vātaṃdhaya, Vaidyuta, Maināka, Surasa, Tuṅgaprastha, Nāgagiri, Godhana, and Pāṇḍarācala, their summits reaching into the heavens. Further still, one finds Puṣpagiri, Vaijayanta, Raivata, Arbuda, Ṛṣyamūka, Gomantha, Kṛtaśaila, and Kṛtācala—each mountain a realm unto itself. Śrīparvata and Cakora shine among hundreds of other mountains, and within these ranges dwell diverse peoples, including various groups such as the Mlecchas, each with their own customs and ways. From the feet of these mountains flow the greatest of rivers, revered since ancient times. Know, O best of the twice-born, that among these are the Gaṅgā, Sarasvatī, Sindhu, and another called Candrabhāgā. The sacred Yamunā, Śatadrū, Vipāśā, Vitastā, Irāvatī, Kuhū, Gomatī, Dhūtapāpā, Bāhudā, and Dṛṣadvatī also arise here, their waters nourishing the land. From the foot of Himavat itself spring Vipāśā, Devikā, Cakṣur, Niṣṭhīvā, Gaṇḍakī, Kauśikī, and Āpagā, each a lifeline for those who dwell nearby. Devamṛti, Devavatī, Vātaghnī, Sindhu, Veṇyā, Candanā, Sadānīrā, and Mahī flow with their own sacred stories, as do Carmaṇvatī, Vṛṣī, Vidiśā, Vedavatī, Siprā, and Avantī, winding along the slopes of the Pāriyātra mountains. Śoṇā, Mahānadī, Narmadā, Surathā, Kriyā, Mandākinī, Daśārṇā, and Citrakūṭā add further beauty to the land, as do Citrotpalā, Vetravatī, Karamodā, Piśācikā, Anyātilaghuśroṇī, Vipāpmā, and Śaivalā, each river with its own course and character. From the roots of the ṛkṣa trees, swift rivers like Sadherujā, Śaktimatī, Śakunī, Tridivā, and Kramuḥ burst forth, joining the many other fast-flowing streams. Among the excellent rivers are Siprā, Payoṣṇī, Nirvindhyā, Tāpi, Veṇā, Vaitaraṇī, Sinīvālī, and Kumudvatī, their waters pure and holy. From the Vindhya mountains, rivers like Toyā, Mahāgaurī, Durgā, and Antaḥśilā flow, each possessing auspicious and sacred waters. The Godāvarī, Bhīmarathī, Kṛṣṇaveṇā, Tuṅgabhadrā, Suprayogā, and the renowned Pāpanāśinī cleanse those who bathe in them. At the base of the Sahya mountains, the best among rivers emerge: Kṛtamālā, Tāmraparṇī, Puṣyajā, and Pratyalāvatī, each a source of life and sanctity. From the Malayā mountains arise the holy rivers Pitṛsomarṣikulyā, Vañjulā, and Tridivā, their waters cool and refreshing. Lāṅgulinī, Vaṃśakarā, and those that begin at Mahendra, along with Suvikālā, Kumārī, Manūgā, and Mandagāminī, are remembered for their sacredness. Likewise, Kṣayāpalāsinī and the rivers from Śuktimat are all holy Sarasvatīs, all Gaṅgās in their own right, flowing ever onward to the ocean. All these rivers are revered as mothers of the world, destroyers of sin, and countless smaller streams join them, each carrying blessings. Some rivers flow only in the rainy season, while others run throughout the year—among them are Matsyā, Mukuṭakulyā, Kuntalā, and Kāśikośalā. Along these rivers and among these mountains dwell many peoples: the Andhras, Kaliṅgas, Śamakas, Vṛkas, and the peoples of the central region, each with their own traditions and livelihoods. On the northern side of the Sahya mountains, where the Godāvarī flows, the land is especially delightful, graced with beauty and abundance. There lies the charming city of Govardhana, belonging to the great-souled Bhārgava, and regions such as Vāhīkarāṭadhānas, Sutīrās, and Kālatoyadās. The Aparāntas, Śūdras, Vāhlikas with Keralas, Gāndhāras, Yavanas, Sindhus, Sauvīras, and Madrakas all find their homes here. So too do the Śatadruhas, Kaliṅgas, Pāradas, Hārabhūṣikas, Māṭharas, Kanakas, Kaikeyas, and Dambhamālikas. In these regions dwell the Kshatriyas, as well as families of Vaishyas and Shudras, the Kambojas, and the Barbaras, along with common folk of every kind. The Viras, the Tusharas, men descended from the Pahlavas, the Atreyas, the Bharadvajas, the Pushkalas, and the Dasherakas add to the diversity. There are the Lampakas, Shunashokas, Kulikas, Jangalas, Ushadhyas, Calacandras, and tribes of the Kiratas. The Tomaras, Hamsamargas, Kashmiris, Karunas, Shulikas, Kuhakas, and the Magadhas are also found in these northern lands. Now, turning eastward, one finds the Andhas, Vamankuras, Vallakas, and Makhantakas. The Angas, Vangas, Maladas, Malavartikas, Bhadratungas, Pratijayas, Bharyangas, and Apamardakas dwell here, as do the Pragjyotishas, Madras, Videhas, Tamraliptakas, Mallas, Magadhas, Nandas, and many other peoples of the east. In the southern regions reside the Purnas, Kevalas, and Golangulas, along with the Rshikas, Mushikas, Kumaras, Ramathas, Shakas, Maharashtras, Mahishakas, and the Kalingas. The Abhiras and Vaishikyas, all the forest-dwellers, the Pulindas, Mauleyas, Vaidarbhas, and Dandakas dwell amidst the southern forests and plains. The Paulikas, Maulikas, Ashmakas, Bhojavardhanas, Kaulikas, Kuntalas, Dambhakas, and Nilakalakas are counted among the southern peoples. Turning west, one finds the Shurparakas, Kalidhanas, Lolas, and Talakatais. In the Vindhya region dwell the Malajas, Karkashas, Melakas, and Colakas, along with the Uttamarnas, Dasharnas, Bhojas, Kishkindhakas, Toshalas, Kosalas, Traipuras, and Vaidishas. Thus is the land adorned with mountains and rivers, and filled with countless peoples—each region, each river, each mountain contributing to the sacred tapestry of Bhārata, blessed and holy, sustaining all who dwell within her embrace.