Then, resplendent in its glory, the golden chariot of the Earth was drawn by eight magnificent horses. In the same way, the chariot of Svarbhānu and the lordly Sun was yoked to six horses, each one radiant and powerful. All these celestial chariots, O you who are greatly blessed, are firmly fixed to the pole star, bound there by the subtle and mighty rays of the wind. Through these wind-rays, all the chariots revolve in their courses, and, in their turn, cause even the pole star itself to revolve. In that exalted region, O best of the twice-born, those who preside over the cycles of time are established. There, too, dwell Sanandana and the other illustrious sons of Brahmā. The Vairājas, those gods who are free from suffering and burning, reside there as well. It is a realm where death does not come again; this is remembered as the world of Brahmā. Within this sacred world, Brahmā abides eternally with great yogis, all of whom have tasted the supreme nectar of yoga. Here, yogis, ascetics, perfected beings, and devoted reciters worship the Supreme Lord. Having reached this place, they know no sorrow, for here dwell Viṣṇu and Śaṅkara together. Such is the splendor of this realm that I am unable to describe it fully, for it is filled with garlands of blazing, radiant flames. There rests the glorious Hari, master of illusion, transcendent and composed of māyā. The greatest souls, those who have surrendered themselves to Janārdana, attain to this place. Encircled by fire, the venerable Lord Bhava abides there, attended by hundreds of thousands of yogis, beings, and Rudras. All are devoted to me, intent on the divine, peaceful, ascetic, and speakers of Brahman. Endowed with the power of Brahman, they behold Rudraloka, the world of Rudra, as it is known. Below these realms lie Mahātala and the other netherworlds, O twice-born ones. These underworlds are adorned with splendid palaces and abodes of the gods, ruled by a mighty king dwelling in Pātāla-svarga. Vitala and Tala are both described as white and resplendent. Rasātala is renowned and frequented by many, while Talātala is famed for its manifold splendors. Sutala is filled with ancient gods and other powerful beings. These realms are inhabited by great serpents such as Mahāntaka, and by the demon Prahmāda, as well as by the mighty Jambha and the heroic Hayagrīva. Alongside them dwell other fierce serpents, filling the splendid netherworld with their presence. It is here that the wicked are tormented, their numbers too vast to recount. Within these realms reside Kālāgni, Rudra, the soul of yoga, Nārasiṃha, and Mādhava. All of creation rests upon him who has assumed the form of Kālāgni. At the end of time, blazing with venomous flames, he alone dissolves the worlds. The dark, Śāṃbhavī form is Time itself, the destroyer of all worlds. Now, let me declare further the nature of the earthly world. The islands of Kuśa, Krauñca, Śāka, and Puṣkara are counted among the seven great continents. From island to island, each is said to be vast, and each ocean that encircles them is greater than the last. The oceans bear names such as Dadhyoda, the ocean of milk, and the ocean of sweet water. These seven islands are joined by their oceans, their extents measured in yojanas. At the very heart of these lands rises the famed Mount Meru, shining with the brilliance of gold. Mount Meru extends sixteen units below the earth and towers thirty-two units at its summit, standing as the luminous axis of the world.