Kurma Purana

रत्नसोपानसंयुक्तं सरोभिश्चोपशोभितम्

Joined with jeweled stairways and beautified by those lakes,

कर्णिकारवनं द्विव्यं तत्रास्ते शङ्करोमया

There stands a divine grove of karṇikāra trees, composed of Shankara’s essence,

रम्यप्रासादसंयुक्तं घण्टाचामरभूषितम्

Adorned with delightful palaces, decorated with bells and yak-tail fans,

मृदङ्गमुरजोद्घुष्टं वीणावेणुनिनादितम्

Resounding with the music of mṛdaṅgas and murajas, filled with the melodies of vīṇās and flutes,

भास्वद्भित्तिसमाकीर्णं महाप्रासादसंकुलम्

Crowded with great palaces, its shining walls gleaming everywhere,

तत्र सा वसते देवी नित्यं योगपरायणा

There, the goddess dwells, ever devoted to yoga,

पश्यन्ति तत्र मुनयः सिद्धा ये ब्रह्मवादिनः

There, sages and perfected beings who speak of Brahman behold her,

सरांसि सिद्धजुष्टानि देवभोग्यानि सत्तमाः

The lakes there are enjoyed by the siddhas, and are fit for the gods, O best of men,

सन्धर्वाणां पुरशतं दिव्यस्त्रीभिः समावृतम्

Hundreds of cities of gandharvas are there, surrounded by celestial women,

क्रीडन्ति मुदिता नित्यं विलासैर्भोगतत्पराः

They play there, ever joyful, intent on pleasures and delights,

वसन्ति तत्राप्सरसो रम्भाद्या रतिलालसाः

There dwell the apsarases, led by Rambha, eager for love,

सा पुरी सर्वरत्नाढ्या नैकप्रस्त्रवणैर्युता

That city is endowed with all gems, and filled with countless streams,

रुद्राणां शान्तरजसामीश्वरार्पितचेतसाम्

There reside Rudranis of tranquil and passionate natures, their minds devoted to the Lord,

समासते परं ज्योतिरारूढाः स्थानमुत्तमम्

Having ascended to the supreme light, they attain the highest place,

नन्दीश्वरस्य कपिले तत्रास्ते सुयशा यतिः

There, in Kapila, dwells the illustrious sage Nandishvara.

दीप्तमायतनं पुण्यं भास्करस्यामितौजसः

There is the radiant, sacred abode of Bhāskara, the sun of immeasurable brilliance.

रमते तत्र रम्यो ऽसौ भगवान् शीतदीधितिः

There, that delightful Lord of cool rays, the Moon, finds joy.

सहस्त्रयोजनायामं सुवर्णमणितोरणम्

It stretches a thousand yojanas in length, with golden and jeweled gateways.

सावित्र्या सह विश्वात्मा वासुदेवादिभिर्युतः

There, the Soul of the Universe abides with Sāvitrī, accompanied by Vāsudeva and others.

सनन्दनादयो यत्र वसन्ति मुनिपुङ्गवाः

There dwell the eminent sages, beginning with Sanandana.

नातिदूरेण तस्याथ दैत्यचार्यस्य धीमतः

Not far from there is the hermitage of the wise preceptor of the Daityas.

कर्दमस्याश्रमं पुण्यं तत्रास्ते भगवानृषिः

In that sacred place resides the venerable sage Kardama.

सनत्कुमारो भगवांस्तत्रास्ते ब्रह्मवित्तमः

There also dwells the revered Sanatkumāra, foremost knower of Brahman.

सरांसि विमला नद्यो देवानामालयानि च

There are pure lakes, rivers, and the abodes of the gods.

वन्यान्याश्रमवर्याणि संख्यातुं नैव शक्नुयाम्

The forests and excellent hermitages there are too many for me to count.

न शक्यं विस्तराद् वक्तुं मया वर्षशतैरपि

Even in a hundred years, I could not describe them all in detail.

संवेष्टयित्वा क्षारोदं प्लक्षद्वीपो व्यवस्थितः

Encircling the ocean of brine lies the island of Plakṣa.

ऋज्वायताः सुपर्वाणः सिद्धसङ्घनिषेविताः

Its mountains are straight and lofty, frequented by assemblies of perfected beings.

वैभ्राजः सप्तमः प्रोक्तो ब्रह्मणो ऽत्यन्तवल्लभः

The seventh, called Vaibhrāja, is most beloved of Brahmā.