In the sacred land of Bhārata, countless rivers flow, each bearing its own holiness and auspiciousness. Among them are Citrotpalā, Vetravatī, Karamodā, Piśācikā, Anyātilaghuśroṇī, Vipāpmā, and Śaivalā. There are also Sadherujā, Śaktimatī, Śakunī, Tridivā, Kramuḥ, and rivers born from the roots of ṛkṣa trees, along with many swift-flowing streams. Siprā, Payoṣṇī, Nirvindhyā, Tāpi, Veṇā, Vaitaraṇī, Sinīvālī, and Kumudvatī are celebrated as excellent rivers. Toyā, Mahāgaurī, Durgā, Antaḥśilā, and those rivers springing from the roots of the Vindhya mountains are renowned for their holy and auspicious waters. Godāvarī, Bhīmarathī, Kṛṣṇaveṇā, Tuṅgabhadrā, Suprayogā, and other rivers, including Pāpanāśinī, are revered for their purity. From the base of the Sahya mountains arise the best among rivers: Kṛtamālā, Tāmraparṇī, Puṣyajā, and Pratyalāvatī. The Malayā mountains give birth to rivers with cool, holy waters—Pitṛsomarṣikulyā, Vañjulā, and Tridivā. Lāṅgulinī, Vaṃśakarā, rivers from Mahendra, Suvikālā, Kumārī, Manūgā, and Mandagāminī are remembered as sacred. Kṣayāpalāsinī and those emerging from Śuktimat are all holy Sarasvatīs, all Gaṅgās, flowing toward the ocean. Each river is a mother of the world, remembered as a destroyer of sin. Beyond these, countless smaller rivers are celebrated, O best of twice-born. Some rivers flow only in the rainy season, while others run throughout the year—Matsyā, Mukuṭakulyā, Kuntalā, and Kāśikośalā. The peoples of the Andhras, Kaliṅgas, Śamakas, Vṛkas, and the central regions are mostly enumerated here. On the northern side of Sahya, where the Godāvarī flows, that region is delightful across the earth. There lies Govardhana city, charming and belonging to the great-souled Bhārgava; there are also Vāhīkarāṭadhānas, Sutīrās, and Kālatoyadās. Aparāntas, Śūdras, Vāhlikas with Keralas, Gāndhāras, Yavanas, Sindhus, Sauvīras, and Madrakas populate these lands. Śatadruhas, Kaliṅgas, Pāradas, Hārabhūṣikas, Māṭharas, Kanakas, Kaikeyas, and Dambhamālikas are counted among the peoples. Regions resembling those of Kshatriyas, families of Vaishyas and Shudras, and the Kambojas, O best of Brahmins, as well as the Barbaras and common folk, are all included. The Viras, Tusharas, men descended from the Pahlavas, the Atreyas, Bharadvajas, Pushkalas, and Dasherakas are mentioned. Lampakas, Shunashokas, Kulikas with Jangalas, Ushadhyas, Calacandras, and tribes of Kiratas also reside here. Tomaras, Hamsamargas, Kashmiris, Karunas, Shulikas, Kuhakas, and Magadhas are among the inhabitants. These form the northern regions. The eastern lands include Andhas, Vamankuras, Vallakas, and Makhantakas, as well as Angas, Vangas, Maladas, Malavartikas, Bhadratungas, Pratijayas, Bharyangas, and Apamardakas. Pragjyotishas, Madras, Videhas, Tamraliptakas, Mallas, Magadhas, Nandas, and other eastern peoples are described. In the southern regions dwell the Purnas, Kevalas, and Golangulas. Rshikas, Mushikas, Kumaras, Ramathas, Shakas, Maharashtras, Mahishakas, and Kalingas in their entirety populate these lands. Abhiras, Vaishikyas, all forest-dwellers, Pulindas, Mauleyas, Vaidarbhas, and Dandakas are found here. Paulikas, Maulikas, Ashmakas, Bhojavardhanas, Kaulikas, Kuntalas, Dambhakas, and Nilakalakas are also counted. These comprise the southern regions. The western lands include Shurparakas, Kalidhanas, Lolas, and Talakatais. The western peoples are thus described, and those dwelling in the Vindhya region include Malajas, Karkashas, Melakas, and Colakas. Uttamarnas, Dasharnas, Bhojas, Kishkindhakas, Toshalas, Kosalas, Traipuras, and Vaidishas are among them. Tumburas, Charas, Yavanas, Pavanas, Abhayas, Rundikeras, Carcaras, and Hotradhartayas reside in the Vindhya region. Now, the lands inhabited by mountain dwellers are described: Niharas, Tushamargas, Kuravas, Tunganas, Khasas, Karnapravaranas, Urnas, Darghas, and Sakuntakas. Citra-margas, Malavas, Kiratas, and Tomaras are also present, and here is the ordinance established for the four ages, beginning with Krita and Treta. Thus, the land of Bhārata is arranged in nine divisions, bordered by the great ocean to the south, east, and west. To its north stands the Himalaya, bow-shaped and majestic. This Bhārata land, O best of twice-born, is the seed of all creation. From here arise Brahmahood, sovereignty among immortals, divinity, the birth of Maruts, hunters, Yakshas, Apsaras, serpents, and reptiles. All stationary beings, O sages, depart from this land according to their deeds, journeying to auspicious or inauspicious realms; there is no other world like this. Even the gods, O sages, cherish this wish: “May we attain human birth, having fallen from divinity to earth.” For whatever action a human performs cannot be accomplished by gods or demons, who are bound by the fetters of karma and eager to exhaust their deeds. Thus is the glory of Bhārata, the sacred land where rivers, peoples, and the cycle of ages all converge.