Listen, O wise ones, to the wondrous account of Jambudvīpa, the great continent adorned with nine distinct regions. Each region possesses its own river, country, and mountain lord, and I shall now describe these regions in detail. Attend as I tell you of their measures, the vast circle they form, and the distances between them, all counted in yojanas. The measure of the continent is said to be a hundred thousand yojanas, and each subsequent continent doubles in size, growing twofold each time. The earth, together with its encircling oceans, spans fifty crores in breadth, joined with seven continents, and is surrounded by the auspicious Lokāloka. To the north of the mighty Meru rises the mountain Nīla; further north stands Śveta, and beyond that is Śṛṅgī. These three are known as the Varṣaparvatas, O sages. To the east, Jaṭhara and Devakūṭa stand as guardians; south of Meru is Niṣadha, and further south lies Hemakūṭa, followed by the snowy Himavān. To the west of Meru are Dharādhara and Mālyavān, and Gandhamādana also graces this direction; these two mountains extend northward. These are the kingly mountains, frequented by Siddhas and Cāraṇas, and the distance between each is nine thousand yojanas. The region of Himavat is renowned as Bhārata; beyond Hemakūṭa lies the land called Kiṃpuruṣa. Beyond Hemakūṭa is Niṣadha, known as Harivarṣa; beyond Harivarṣa is the auspicious Ilāvṛta, the region of Meru. Beyond Ilāvṛta is Nīla, famed as Ramyaka; further beyond Ramyaka is Śveta, known as Hiraṇmaya. Beyond Hiraṇmaya is Śṛṅgī, where Kuru is remembered. In the form of a bow, two regions are known, one to the south and one to the north. There are four long regions, with Ilāvṛta in the center; to the west and east of Meru, two other long regions extend. South of Niṣadha is called half the altar, and likewise to the north; three regions lie on the southern half, and three on the northern. Between these, the middle of Meru is Ilāvṛta, situated to the south of Nīla and north of Niṣadha. To the north rises the great mountain Mālyavān, two thousand yojanas in height. Its length is said to be thirty-two thousand yojanas; to its west is the mountain Gandhamādana. Gandhamādana is as extensive in length as Mālyavān, equal in all directions to the breadth of Jambudvīpa. These six Varṣaparvatas extend eastward, well-formed, and on both sides, they reach into the eastern and western oceans. Himavān is mostly snowy, Hemakūṭa is golden, and Niṣadha shines with the radiance of the young sun. Mount Meru is described as having four colors and a golden hue, rising high in a circular shape, standing upright with four sides. Its colors are blue, made of beryl, white and shining, golden, and peacock-tailed; it is three-peaked and made of yellow gold. Thus, the summary has been given. Now hear again of the lordly mountains: Mandara and Devakūṭa are the two mountains in the eastern direction. Kailāsa and Gandhamāda, as well as Hemavān, are mountains situated to the east, stretching out and located within the ocean. Niṣadha and Pāriyātra are two excellent mountains, situated to the south and west. Triśṛṅga and Jāruci are two great mountains to the north, stretching out to the east and situated within the ocean. The wise call these eight the boundary mountains, and Meru, O best of twice-born, is the lofty golden mountain. It has four great peaks at the four directions, by which the earth with its seven continents is supported and does not move. Each peak has a length of ten thousand yojanas: in the east is Mandara, in the south Gandhamādana, in the west Vipula, and in the north Supārśva. Upon these peaks, four great trees have grown, banners of the continents. On the summit of Mandara mountain stands the great tree Keturāṭ, with spreading branches, and the sacred kadamba tree. On the summit of the southern mountain, worshipped by the gods, is the jambu tree, ever bearing auspicious fruit and adorned with garlands. On the southern continent is the famous jambu tree among the worlds, and on the summit of the great mountain Vipula to the west is the great aśvattha, the sacred tree. On the peak of northern Supārśva has grown a vast banyan tree, with a massive trunk spanning many yojanas. There are four delightful, supernatural playgrounds of the gods, charming in all seasons and times. The names of the forests in the four directions are: in the east, Caitraratha; in the south, Gandhamādana; in the west, Vaibhrāja; and in the north, Savitṛ’s forest. In the east is Mitreśvara, followed by Ṣaṣṭheśvara; in the west is Varyeshvara, and in the north, Amrakeshvara. Likewise, O foremost sages, there are four great lakes: Arunodha lies to the east, and the southern lake is known as Manasa. Here, the sages sport upon the mountains and in the forests, enjoying the beauty and sanctity of these divine regions.