O wise ones, the vastness of creation is such that it cannot be fully measured or enumerated. The arrangement of the stars stretches as far as the celestial sphere itself, beyond the reach of complete reckoning. Yet, from this point onward, let me speak to you about the earth and its wondrous nature. Earth, air, space, water, and light—these are the five great elements, the very foundation of all that exists. Among them, the earth is the mother of all beings, bearing every creature upon her. She is adorned with countless rivers and mighty mountains, and she teems with endless varieties of life. Many of these beings dwell quietly in small rivers, streams, and humble places, content in their modest abodes. Know that the waters themselves are boundless, just as fire pervades all the worlds. In the same way, space is said to be ungraspable, delightful, and home to many kinds of abodes. Waters are found within the earth, upon the earth, and even above it, making the view of the infinite elements ever-shifting and unfixed. The succession of these elements is described as earth, then water, and then space. Deep beneath the surface lies the earthly Rasātala, said to stretch a thousand leagues, each of ten yojanas. The first region is known as Atala, followed by Sutala, then Talātala, and beyond that, Rasātala itself. The first region of the earth is called Kṛṣṇabhauma, the dark earth; the fourth is Pītābhauma, the yellow earth; and the fifth is made of gravel. In Kṛṣṇabhauma, the palace of the Asura king stands in majesty. There too is the city of Śaṅkukarṇa and the palace of Kabandha, as well as the abodes of the Rākṣasa Bhīma and Śūladanta. The city of Dhanañjaya, the great-souled lord of serpents, is also found here. Indeed, throughout these regions are thousands of cities belonging to Nāgas, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas. In the second region, Sutala, O Brahmins, stands the palace of the Daitya king and the Rākṣasa, along with the palaces of Iyagrīva, Kṛṣṇa, and Nikumbha. Here are also the dwellings of the demon Nīla and the account of the cloud, the serpent Kaṃbala, and the city of Aśvatara. Thus, thousands of cities of serpents, demons, and rākṣasas fill this level. On the third level lies the renowned city of Prahlāda, the great-souled one, as well as the city of Tārakāsura and that of Triśiras. There is the city of Purañjana, bustling with joyous and prosperous people, and the cities of the king of rākṣasas, Kumbhila, and Khara. The serpent Hemaka and Pāṇḍuraka also have their cities here, as do Nedaka, lord of serpents, and Viśālākṣa. This third level, O sages, is known without doubt as Nīlabhūmi. Here too are the city of Gajakarṇa and the town of Kuñjara, the abode of Muñja, lord of worlds, and of Vṛkavaktra. On the fourth lower level lies the city of Vainateya, and the city of Virojana, the wise lion among demons. The city of Vidyujjihva, the learned king of rākṣasas, is found here, along with the city of the serpent Kirmīra, and those of Svastika and Jaya. Thus, in the depths of the earth, in these wondrous and mysterious realms, dwell countless beings and cities—Nāgas, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas—each in their own abodes, woven into the fabric of the universe’s infinite elements.