In the sacred land of Puṣkaradvīpa, there dwell noble lords, ever devoted to the worship of Rudra and steadfast in their dedication to Maheśvara. The people there, born of Prajāpati and Rudra, are filled with the bliss that springs from such deep devotion. Now, among the illustrious lineages, Priyavrata appointed his eldest and mighty son, Āgnīdhra, born of Kāmyā, as the ruler of the renowned continent of Jambūdvīpa. Āgnīdhra was a man of remarkable virtue—unwavering in his devotion to Bhava (Śiva), ever youthful in spirit, steadfast in his austerities, and constantly engaged in the worship of the great Lord. He was surrounded by companions such as Gomān, Dhīmān, and other eminent twice-born sages. Āgnīdhra had nine sons, each one equal to Prajāpati in stature and all devoted to Maheśvara and dedicated to Mahādeva. The eldest was Nābhi, followed by his younger brothers: Kiṃpuruṣa, Harivarṣa, Ilāvṛta, Ramya, Hiraṇmān, Kuru, Bhadrāśva, and Ketumāla. To each son, Āgnīdhra assigned a region to govern: Nābhi received the southern region called Hema; Kiṃpuruṣa was given Hemakūṭa; Hari was given Naiṣadha. Ilāvṛta received the central region where mighty Meru stands, along with the delightful land at the base of Nīlācalā. Hiraṇmān was given the northern Śveta region, and Kuru received the northern Śṛṅgavarṣa. Bhadrāśva was assigned Mālyavat, and Ketumāla was given Gandhamādana. Thus, these nine great regions were divided, and Āgnīdhra installed his sons as their rulers. Having performed his duty, that righteous one remained engaged in austerity, purified by penance, and devoted to self-study. In time, absorbed in meditation on Śiva, he attained spiritual perfection. The eight auspicious regions, beginning with Kiṃpuruṣa, are known for their extraordinary qualities. There, by their very nature, the inhabitants attain perfection easily and without effort; they are free from the opposites of pleasure and pain, untouched by old age or death. In these lands, there is neither righteousness nor unrighteousness, no distinctions of superior, inferior, or middling, and no division of ages. In the Rudra-kshetras, both moving and unmoving beings who die, as well as those who are devoted or merely incidental followers, are reborn in these regions. Rudra created these eight lands for the welfare of his devotees, and there, the great god always manifests his presence. The inhabitants, seeing the great god in their hearts, remain ever happy, for he alone is their supreme goal. Now, listen to the origin of Nābhi. Nābhi, wise and illustrious, begot a son with Merudevī—Ṛṣabha, foremost among kings and honored by all the Kṣatriyas. From Ṛṣabha was born Bharata, the heroic eldest among a hundred sons. Ṛṣabha, full of affection for his son, installed Bharata as king. Having mastered knowledge and detachment and conquered the great serpents of the senses, Ṛṣabha established the Supreme Self within himself through complete absorption. He renounced all worldly ties, became naked and matted-haired, clad only in bark, and entered the darkness of the forest. Free from desire and doubt, he attained the supreme Śaiva state, and assigned the southern region of the Himālaya to Bharata. Thus, that region became known as Bhārata after his name. Bharata’s son was the learned and righteous Sumati. In due course, Bharata installed Sumati as king, relinquishing his own glory to his son, and retired to the forest. At the heart of this continent stands the magnificent mountain Meru, crowned with peaks of various precious gems, the foremost among steadfast mountains. It is said to rise eighty-four thousand yojanas in height, extending sixteen thousand below the earth and likewise across. Shaped like an upturned bowl, its summit spreads thirty-two thousand yojanas, and its circumference is estimated at three times its breadth. Meru shines with a golden radiance, made so by the touch of Maheshvara’s auspicious body, and glows like the flower of the dhattura. It is the abode of all the gods—a divine playground filled with countless wonders. The great mountain’s length is said to be one hundred thousand yojanas, with sixteen thousand yojanas extending below the earth, and the remainder of its peaks rising above. Its root is immeasurable, and the base is twice as broad as the summit. To the east, Meru gleams like padmaraga; to the south, it resembles gold; to the west, sapphire; and to the north, it shines with the radiance of coral. On the eastern side lies Amaravati, a celestial city crowded with splendid palaces, filled with hosts of different gods, and adorned with networks of jewels. Its gateways are of various forms, decorated with gold and jewels, and its arches are adorned with golden designs and gemstones set along the pathways. The city is populated by those skilled in conversation and wit, adorned with every kind of ornament, and graced by women whose beauty is accentuated by the weight of their breasts and the intoxication in their rolling eyes. Everywhere, thousands of women and apsarases fill the city, and beautiful pools are crowded with blooming lotuses. Golden stairways, heaps of golden sand, blue lotuses, and other fragrant golden flowers adorn this divine realm, making it a place of unending splendor.