Now listen as I recount the sacred lands of Rudra, established by the greatest of gods. Having already described those in the southern direction, I shall now speak of the divine fields in the west. In that western quarter rise holy mountains of immense glory: Sitoda, Surapa the mighty, Kumuda, Madhuman, Anjana, and Mukuta. There too are Krishna, Pandura, Sahasrashikhara, Parijata, Shailendra, and the splendid Shri-shringa mountain. All these exalted peaks, radiant and divine, are graced with the presence of Rudra-fields. To the north of the great lake Mahabhadra stand further mighty mountains. Let me briefly name them for you: Shankhakuta, the great mountain, Vrishabha, Hamsa, Naga, Kapila, and Indrashaila with its lofty summits. There are also Nila, Kantakashringa, Shatashringa, Parvata, Pushpakosha, Prashaila, and Viraja—the foremost of immovable mountains. Among them are Varaha, Mayura the great peak, and Jarudhi, lord of mountains, all situated in the northern direction. Upon these divine mountains, sacred to the trident-bearing Lord of gods, countless celestial aerial palaces shimmer by the thousands. Between these chief mountains, in their proper order, lie inner valleys, tranquil lakes, and lush groves. Within these sanctuaries, gods, sages, and perfected beings devoted to Shiva make their abodes, dwelling with their wives by the grace of the Supreme Lord. In the Bilva forest reside Kashyapa and other sages, together with Lakshmi and her companions. In the Tala grove dwell Indra, Upendra, and the serpent-souled beings. Kardama and other great souls are found in the Udumbara grove, while the auspicious and holy Amra grove is home to Vidyadharas and Siddhas. In the Nimba grove reside Nagas and groups of Siddhas. Surya, the sun god, abides in the Kimshuka grove, accompanied by hosts of Rudra. In the sacred Bijapura grove, the divine preceptor is established; and in the Kaumudi grove, great souls led by Vishnu dwell. Within the Sthalapadma grove, beneath a majestic Nyagrodha tree, all the serpents make their home, with Shesha—the proud lord of all worlds—abiding there. He alone is Time for all worlds, established in the netherworld, the divine manifest form of Vishnu, the universal teacher who wields the plough as his weapon. This is the resting place of the Lord of gods, the very bracelet of mighty Hari. In the grove of Panasa trees live the Danavas and others, along with Shukra. Kinnaras and serpents reside in the Vishakhaka grove, while the Manohara grove abounds with trees of every variety. Nandishvara stands there, praised by the hosts of Ganas, and in the midst of the Santanaka grove, the goddess Sarasvati herself is present. Thus, I have briefly described the countless forest-dwellers in these sacred groves; their numbers are so vast that even I could not recount them all in detail. On the peak of Shitanta, Indra himself dwells within the auspicious Parijata grove. To its east stretches the broad Kumuda mountain range. There, eight ancient cities of the Danavas came into being, and in the auspicious Suvarnakotara, the great-souled Rakshasas reside. Sixty-eight ancient cities of the Nilakas are said to exist, and on the great Nila, lord of mountains, there are fifteen ancient cities. Among the foremost of the horse-faced beings and Kinnaras, three cities of the Vidyadharas are found upon the great mountain called Venusaudha. In Vaikuntha, the illustrious Garuda abides; in Karanja dwells Nilalohita; and on Vasudhara, the Vasus have their home. Upon the splendid mountain Ratnadhara reside the great-souled Seven Sages, and there are seven holy places, each blessed with the presence of accomplished beings. The great abode of Prajapati is on the supreme mountain Ekashringa. On Gajashaila dwell Durga and others, as well as the wise Vasus. The Adityas and Rudras have established their dwellings there, as do the Ashvins, and in the golden-girdled supreme mountain, there are eighty divine cities. On Sunila is the abode of the Rakshasas, numbering five hundred million. On Panchakuta were ancient cities, each measuring five hundred million. On Shatashringa are a hundred cities of the Yakshas, beings of immeasurable might. On Tamrabha dwell the Kadaveyas, and on Vishakha lies the abode of Guha. On Shvetodara reside the foremost sages and the great-souled Suparna; on Pisachaka is Kubera’s abode, and on Harikuta is the house of Hari. On Kumuda is the dwelling of the Kinnaras; on Anjana is the abode of the Charanas; on Krishna the Gandharvas reside; and on Pandura are seven cities. The Vidyadharas, endowed with all enjoyments, dwell there, and on the mountain Sahasrashikhara are Daityas of fierce deeds. There are seven thousand ancient cities of the enemies of Indra. On Mukuta is the abode of the serpents, and on Pushpaketu, the great sages. Upon the lordly mountains are found the four abodes of Vaivasvata, Soma, Vayu, the lord of serpents, and Takshaka. There are also sanctuaries of Brahma, Indra, Vishnu, Rudra, the great-souled Guha, Kubera, Soma, and other great souls. Even on the boundary mountains are principal sanctuaries. In a cave dwells Shrikantha, the universal abode, together with Uma. The lordship of Shrikantha, the Lord of all gods and the origin of this cosmic egg, is indeed due to Shrikantha—of this there can be no doubt. Thus, Ananta and the others are each guardians of a cosmic egg, known as universal emperors. After them, the Vidyeshvaras preside here, maintaining the order of the worlds.