In that sacred realm, the self-born Lord, source of all creation, watches over every living being—those who are simple and those who are wise alike. He is revered as the counselor of Viṣṇu, the divine god, the father and grandfather of all. Within this universe, creatures continually partake of the six potent tastes, sustaining their lives and energies. Encircling this world, a vast ocean of sweet water stretches in all directions, embracing everything within its depths. Beyond this, there lies a golden earth, twice as expansive as the world itself, solid and unyielding as a single stone. This region is known as Lokāloka, the realm of both light and darkness, where the luminous and the non-luminous meet. It rises to a height of ten thousand yojanas, and within its luminous portion, all the worlds exist. Beyond it, in the non-luminous region, there is nothing but the void, lying entirely outside the reach of the worlds. Beyond the luminous expanse stands the cosmic egg, Mahāṇḍa, enveloping all creation within itself. There, the realms unfold one after another: Bhūrloka, Bhuvarloka, Svarloka, and Maharloka, each marking a further boundary of existence. Thus is the extent of the worlds defined, their ultimate frontier established. From the first day of the bright fortnight, the cosmic egg takes its form, enduring and imperishable, whether across, above, or below—its essence is the eternal cause. Each layer supports the next, with each succeeding one surpassing the previous by tenfold. Surrounding this cosmic egg is a dense ocean, its sphere extending outward in every direction. Encapsulating all, there is a region of fire, round and impenetrable, like a solid mass of iron. This fiery shell supports the dense wind and space, holding firm in its place. Even this great enclosure is upheld by the infinite and unmanifest, the source without beginning or end, self-existent and boundless. Its separation from all else spans thousands of yojanas, vast beyond comprehension. Even the gods cannot know its full extent; it lies beyond all dealings and understanding. This is the supreme abode, the very boundary of the infinite God, the limits set for the great Lord of all gods. These, without doubt, are the worlds of the universe. Within this universe are seven layers, O twice-born, as well as the abodes of Brahma. This is the measure of the cosmos, the ocean of transmigration in which all beings journey. Such is the wondrous nature of the universe, which is, in truth, the very nature of Brahman itself. Even the most perfected beings cannot perceive it with their senses, for it lies beyond all perception. O best of the twice-born, this is the mental body of the infinite One, whose greatness is proclaimed everywhere in the sacred teachings. He who is called Padmanabha, the Lord with the lotus-navel, is thus described in his entirety. On earth, in the netherworld, in the sky, in the wind, in fire, and even in darkness, he alone is the great radiant One to be known. In all worlds, this mighty Lord is worshipped in countless forms, the sovereign of all realms. The relationship of support and supported, the myriad changes and modifications, all belong to that unchanging One. The layers of existence interpenetrate, each surpassing the other in various ways. In the beginning, all was undifferentiated; only through further differentiation did distinct forms arise. Through the essence and accumulation of qualities, all things became separated, each taking its own unique form. Thus, O wise one, is the mystery and majesty of the universe revealed.