Beyond the region called Ilāvṛta lies the land of Nīla, renowned as Ramyaka. Further still, beyond Ramyaka, is the realm of Śveta, also known as Hiraṇmaya. Continuing past Hiraṇmaya, one reaches Śṛṅgī, where the land of Kuru is remembered. In this area, the world is shaped like a great bow, with two distinct regions curving to the south and north. In the vast expanse of this sacred geography, there are four great elongated regions, with Ilāvṛta situated at the very center. To the west and east of the mighty Mount Meru lie two more of these long regions. South of the mountain Niṣadha is a region known as half the altar, and so too is the area north of it. On the southern half, three great regions are found, and three more mirror them on the northern side. Between all these, at the very heart of Meru, lies Ilāvṛta, bordered to the south by Nīla and to the north by Niṣadha. To the north rises the majestic mountain Mālyavān, stretching two thousand yojanas above the earth. Mālyavān’s length is said to be thirty-two thousand yojanas, and to its west stands Gandhamādana, equally vast, matching the breadth of the entire Jambūdvīpa. These six great Varṣaparvatas, or boundary mountains, extend eastward in perfect form, their ends submerged in both the eastern and western oceans. Among them, Himavān is mostly snowy, Hemakūṭa gleams with gold, and Niṣadha shines with a golden hue like the young sun. Mount Meru itself is described as a wonder—its summit glowing with four colors and a golden radiance, rising high in a perfect circle, with four upright sides. Its faces are blue like beryl, white and shining, golden, and vibrant with the colors of a peacock’s tail. Its three peaks are made of radiant yellow gold. Having described the general form, the narrative turns to the lordly mountains that encircle Meru. In the east stand Mandara and Devakūṭa. Also to the east, stretching out and reaching into the ocean, are Kailāsa, Gandhamāda, and Hemavān. To the south and west are the excellent mountains Niṣadha and Pāriyātra. In the north, the two great ranges Triśṛṅga and Jāruci stretch eastward, also reaching into the ocean. These eight are known as the boundary mountains, and at their center stands Meru, the lofty golden mountain, crowned with four great peaks at the four cardinal directions. These peaks uphold the earth and its seven continents, keeping them steady and unmoving. Each peak measures ten thousand yojanas in length: Mandara to the east, Gandhamādana to the south, Vipula to the west, and Supārśva to the north. Upon the summits of these peaks grow four mighty trees, each a banner for its continent. On Mandara’s summit stands the great Keturāṭ tree, its branches spreading wide, alongside the sacred kadamba. On the southern Gandhamādana peak, worshipped by the gods, flourishes the ever-fruitful and garlanded jambu tree, famed throughout the worlds. On the western Vipula peak rises the sacred aśvattha, and on the northern Supārśva stands a vast banyan, its trunk massive and its span covering many yojanas. These four lordly mountains each host delightful, divine playgrounds of the gods, always charming in every season. In the east is the forest of Caitraratha, to the south Gandhamādana, to the west Vaibhrāja, and to the north the forest of Savitṛ. The east is also home to Mitreśvara, and then Ṣaṣṭheśvara; the west holds Varyeshvara, and the north Amrakeshvara. Alongside these are four great lakes: Arunodha in the east, Manasa in the south, Sitoda in the west, and Mahabhadra in the north. Here, sages find joy, roaming the mountains and forests. To the south lies the field of Shakha, to the west that of Vishakha, to the north the domain of Naigameya, and to the east that of Kumara. East of Arunodha rise the Shailendra mountains, among which are Sitanta, Kuranda, Kurara, and the excellent Achala, followed by Vikara, Manishaila, Vrkshavan, Mahaniila, Rucaka, Sabindu, Dardura, Venuman, Samegha, and the divine Nishadha. These mountains, east of Mandara, are celebrated as the abodes of the Siddhas. In their caves and forests, divine fields sacred to Rudra, Vishnu, and Narayana are found. South of the Manasa lake rise more grand mountains: Shaila, Vishira, Shikhara, Achala, Eka-shringa, Mahashula, Gaja-shaila, Pishachaka, Panchashaila, Kailasa, and the mighty Himavan. All these exalted and divine mountains, renowned for their greatness, are sanctified places. In each mountain and forest, the sacred and the wondrous dwell, upholding the glory of the earth and the dwelling places of gods, sages, and all beings.