Hear now of the wondrous realms that lie beneath and upon the earth, as described by the ancient sages. There is a region associated with the infinite serpent Ananta, with the wise king Mucukunda, with mighty rulers, and with those who dwell in the netherworlds of Pātāla and the heavens of Svarga. Among these lower realms, O Brahmins, Rasātala is known as a mountain; Śārkara is called Talātala; Pīta is known as Sutala; and Vitala glows with the luster of coral. Atala and Tala are both white, as are any other white regions among them. Each of these realms stretches as far as the earth below. The number of these realms, called Talas, is thus established: the sky extends for a thousand yojanas, and then for ten thousand more. The dense Talas measure one hundred and seven thousand yojanas, and the root of the sky is thirty thousand yojanas deep. O best of sages, Rasātala is famed as a golden and auspicious realm, inhabited by Vāsuki and other great beings. Talātala is served by Virocana, Hiraṇyākṣa, Naraka, and others, and is renowned for its splendor. Sutala is filled with the ancient gods, led by Vaināyaka and Kālanemi, and many more. Vitala is the abode of the Dānavas, including Tāraka, Agnimukha, Mahāntaka, the Nāgas, and the noble Asura Prahlāda. Vitala is also served by Kambala and Aśva, as well as the heroic Mahākumbha and the wise Hayagrīva. Tala is divided among Śaṅkukarṇa, Namuci and his followers, and various other heroes, making it beautifully adorned. In all these realms, the Supreme Lord is ever-present, accompanied by Ambā, Skanda, Nandin, and surrounded on all sides by the Gaṇas. Above all the Talas, there are seven sets of seven earth realms. Now, I shall describe to you the seven divisions of the earth. The earth is composed of seven great continents, filled with rivers and mountains, and is encircled on all sides by seven oceans. These continents, in order, are Jambū, Plakṣa, Śālmalī, Kuśa, Krauñca, Śāka, and Puṣkara. In each of these seven islands, Lord Hara, surrounded by his hosts, assumes various forms and manifests his presence. The oceans that surround these continents are, in sequence: salt water, sugarcane juice, wine, clarified butter, curd, milk, and sweet water. In all these oceans, at all times, Śiva himself, with his attendants, takes the form of water and sports with arms of waves, ever glorious. Just as nectar is found in the ocean of milk, so does Hari always lie in the milk-ocean, in yogic sleep, ever aware of Śiva. When the Blessed Lord awakens, the whole world awakens; when he sleeps, all that moves and does not move, being pervaded by him, sleeps as well. By him alone, all things are created, sustained, protected, and dissolved—by the grace of the Supreme Lord of gods. Known as Suṣeṇa, the best of sages worship the Supreme Person, Aniruddha, who bears the conch, discus, and mace. And those best among the knowers of the self who meditate on Aniruddha, the Person, become equal to Nārāyaṇa, endowed with every prosperity. Sanandana, the Blessed One, Sanaka, Sanātana, the Vālakhilya sages, the Siddhas, and Mitra and Varuṇa—all these constantly worship Hari, the source of the universe, in these seven islands. There stand many great peaks with various summits, some stretching as far as the ocean, with caves as well. Through the long ages, many lords of the earth have arisen, shaped by the passage of time. By the power of the supreme lords, from the progenitor of Krauñca’s enemy, in all past and future manvantaras, the succession of rulers is established. Now, I shall recount for you the lords of the earth, beginning with the Svāyambhuva manvantara, and continuing through all past and future ages. All these rulers were equally proud and shared the same purpose; the grandsons of Svāyambhuva Manu were mighty indeed. The heroic sons of Priyavrata are named thus: Āgnīdhra, Agnibāhu, Medha, Medhātithi, and Vasu. Jyotiṣmān, Dyutimān, Havya, and Savana—these too were his sons. Priyavrata appointed these seven as rulers over the seven lands. He made Āgnīdhra, of great might, lord of Jambūdvīpa; Medhātithi was made lord of Plakṣadvīpa. He anointed Śālmala, endowed with beauty, as king, and in Kuśadvīpa, Jyotiṣmat was established as ruler. Dyutimat was appointed king in Krauñcadvīpa, and Havya was made lord of Śākadvīpa. Savana, steadfast in vows, was made lord of Puṣkara; and there, in Puṣkara, Savana’s son Mahāvīta was born. Dhātakī and Mahāvīta, both excellent among sons, were his two sons; the region was named Mahāvīta after that great soul. By name, Dhātakī’s region is called Dhātakīkhaṇḍa. Havya, lord of Śākadvīpa, also begot sons: Jalada, Kumāra, Sukumāra, Maṇīcaka, Kusumottara, Modāka, and the seventh, Mahādruma. The first region, named Alada, belongs to Jalada; the second, called Kaumāra, is attributed to Kumāra. The third, Sukumāra, is known as Sukumāra’s region; the fourth, Maṇīcaka, is called Māṇīcaka. Thus, the lands and their lords, the oceans and the mountains, the gods and the sages, all exist in their appointed places, ever under the watchful gaze of the Supreme Lord, who creates, sustains, and dissolves all things in the universe.