In the sacred Garuda Mahapurana, the ancient sages describe the wondrous expanse of the world and its sacred geography. They begin by recounting the seven chief mountains, among which Vindhya and Pariyatra stand prominent, their peaks touching the heavens and shaping the land. Alongside these mighty ranges, the earth is blessed with holy rivers: Tapti, Payoshni, Sarayu, Kaveri, and Gomati, each flowing with life and sanctity. Further, rivers like Ketumala, Tamraparni, Chandrabhaga, and the revered Sarasvati nourish the earth, their waters purifying all who approach them. Vidarbha and Shatadru, together with other auspicious streams, are known to wash away sin and bestow merit. Upon these lands dwell many peoples and nations. The Panchalas and Kurus, the Matsyas and Yaudheyas, and the Pataccaras thrive alongside the Padmas, Sutas, Magadhas, and Chedis. The Kalingas, Vangas, Pundras, Angas, Vaidarbhas, and Mulakas are counted among the noble lineages, as are the Pulindas, Ashmakas, Jīmūtas, and those who live in the Naya and Rashtra regions. The Ambasthas, Dravidas, Latas, Kambojas, Strimukhas, and Shakas each have their own customs and lands. There are also the Strirajya people, Saindhavas, Mlecchas, Nastikas, and Yavanas, each adding to the rich tapestry of humanity. The Mandavyas, Tusharas, Mulikas, Ashvamukhas, and Khashas are named, as well as the Lambas, Stananagas, Madrakas, Gandharas, and Bahlikas. The Trigartas, Nilas, Kolas, Brahmaputras, and Satankanas complete this grand assembly of nations, each contributing to the diversity of the world. Thus concludes the fifty-fifth chapter of the Garuda Mahapurana, in the Purva-khanda, in the Achara-kanda, known as the 'Description of the Bhuvanakosha,' the treasury of worlds. Continuing, the sages speak of the cosmic regions. Medhatithi, the lord of Plaksha-dvipa, had seven illustrious sons: Sukhodaya, Nanda, Shiva, Kṣemaka, Gomeda, Chandra, Narada, and Dundubhi. Each was renowned for their virtue, and Anutapta, Shikhi, and Vipasha, after fulfilling their duties, ascended to heaven in due course. Vapushman, the lord of Shalmala-dvipa, had sons who lent their names to the regions they ruled. Among them were Vaidyuta, Manasa, and Saprabhasa. The land was further adorned by the mountains Krauncha and Kakudman, and blessed with sacred rivers. Vidhriti is remembered as the seventh among these, known for bestowing freedom from sin. Other mountains such as Udbhida, Venuman, Dvairatha, Lambana, and Dhriti rise majestically, while Vidruma, Hemashaila, Dyutimat, and Pushpavan stand as sentinels of the land. Rivers like Dhuṭapapa, Shiva, Pavitri, and Sanmati flow, purifying all who bathe in their waters. On Krauncha-dvipa, Dyutimat the great-souled had seven sons: Muni and Dundubhi among them, each upholding dharma. Divavrit is the fifth, and Dundubhi is also called Pundarikavan. Khyati and Pundarika are among the seven rivers that enrich this land. Other rivers such as Jalada, Kumara, Sukumara, Oruni, and Baka, as well as Sukumari, Kumari, Nalini, and Dhenuka, flow through these regions. From Shabala and Pushkaresa arise Mahavira and Dhataki, further sanctifying the land. The span of these realms is immense, rising up to fifty thousand yojanas. Puṣkara is encircled by an ocean of sweet water, and beyond lies a golden land, twice as wide, yet devoid of all living beings. Here, a mountain shrouded in darkness stands, and this darkness itself is enclosed by the shell of the cosmic egg, marking the boundary of creation. Thus ends the fifty-sixth chapter, 'Description of the Cosmic Regions,' in the Achara section of the first part of the illustrious Garuda Mahapurana. The sages then speak of the earth’s height, which is said to be seventy thousand yojanas. Beneath the earth lie realms such as Atala, Vitala, Nitala, and Gabhastimat, each with its own unique qualities—black, white, red, yellow, gravelly, mountainous, and golden lands. Upon the formidable Pushkara-dvipa, the sages caution, are found the hells, each with their own terrors and lessons, thus urging all to live with righteousness and devotion. In this way, the Garuda Purana unfolds the vast and sacred geography of the universe, honoring the mountains, rivers, peoples, and cosmic divisions that make up the wondrous creation, inviting all to reflect on the grandeur and order of the cosmos.