Listen now to the wondrous description of the sacred mountains and realms as revealed in the ancient lore. At the very heart of the world rises Mount Meru, radiant and resplendent, standing tall with a circular form and a golden hue that gleams across its four upright sides. Its surface dazzles with four distinct colors: the deep blue of beryl, the purest white, the shining gold, and the iridescent hues of a peacock’s tail. Meru is crowned with three peaks of yellow gold, a sight of celestial beauty. Having thus offered a summary, hear further of the lordly mountains that encircle Meru. In the eastern direction stand the revered peaks of Mandara and Devakūṭa. Also to the east, stretching out and reaching into the ocean, are the mountains Kailāsa, Gandhamāda, and Hemavān, each famed in the sacred traditions. To the south and west, the splendid mountains Niṣadha and Pāriyātra rise, while in the north, Triśṛṅga and Jāruci stand tall, their forms extending eastward and touching the ocean’s edge. These eight are known as the boundary mountains, marking the limits of the world, while Meru itself, O learned one, towers as the golden axis of all creation. Meru’s four mighty peaks rise at the four cardinal directions, supporting the earth and its seven continents so that they remain steady and unmoving. Each peak stretches ten thousand yojanas in length. To the east is Mandara, to the south Gandhamādana, to the west Vipula, and to the north Supārśva. Upon these peaks, four wondrous trees have grown, serving as the banners of the continents. On Mandara’s summit stands the great Keturāṭ tree, with its vast branches, beside the sacred kadamba. On the southern peak, adored by the gods, flourishes the jambu tree, ever fruitful and adorned with garlands. This jambu tree is renowned across the worlds and graces the summit of Vipula to the west. There, too, the sacred aśvattha tree rises, while on the northern Supārśva grows a mighty banyan, its trunk immense and its branches spanning many yojanas. Now let the four lordly mountains be described in order. Each is graced by a delightful, supernatural playground of the gods, charming in every season. In the east lies the forest of Caitraratha, in the south Gandhamādana, in the west Vaibhrāja, and in the north the forest of Savitṛ. Sacred shrines are found there as well: Mitreśvara and Ṣaṣṭheśvara in the east, Varyeshvara in the west, and Amrakeshvara in the north. Four great lakes also adorn these realms: Arunodha in the east, Manasa in the south, Sitoda in the west, and Mahabhadra in the north. Across these mountains and forests, sages and seers wander and sport, delighting in the divine beauty of the land. To the south of Manasa lake lie the fields of Shakha, and to the west, the fields of Vishakha. Northward is the domain of Naigameya, and to the east that of Kumara. Beyond Arunodha, the Shailendra mountains rise, among which are Sitanta, Kuranda, Kurara, and the excellent Achala, followed by Vikara, Manishaila, Vrkshavan, Mahaniila, Rucaka, Sabindu, Dardura, Venuman, Samegha, Nishadha, and other divine peaks. These mountains to the east of Mandara are declared to be the abodes of the Siddhas, the perfected beings. In their caves and forests, sacred fields dedicated to Rudra, Vishnu, and Narayana are found. South of Manasa lake, more great mountains appear: Shaila, Vishira, Shikhara, Achala, Eka-shringa, Mahashula, Gaja-shaila, Pishachaka, Panchashaila, Kailasa, and the majestic Himavan. All these are exalted, divine mountains, renowned for their greatness. In every one of these mountains and forests, the gods have established Rudra-fields, sanctifying the land. In the west, further mountains are found: Sitoda, Surapa the mighty, Kumuda, Madhuman, Anjana, Mukuta, Krishna, Pandura, Sahasrashikhara, Parijata, Shailendra, and the splendid Shri-shringa, all endowed with Rudra-fields. North of Mahabhadra lake stand the mighty mountains: Shankhakuta, Vrishabha, Hamsa, Naga, Kapila, Indrashaila with its many peaks, Nīla, Kaṇṭakaśṛṅga, Śataśṛṅga, Parvata, Puṣpakośa, Praśaila, Viraja, Varāha, the great peak Mayūra, and Jārudhi, lord of mountains. Upon these divine mountains, beloved of the trident-bearing Lord Shiva, thousands of celestial aerial palaces can be found, shining amidst the peaks. Between these chief mountains, in their proper order, lie inner valleys, tranquil lakes, and sacred groves, completing the wondrous landscape of the world’s sacred heart.