By the grace of the Supreme Lord Śiva, the sacred groves and forests of the divine realm are filled with the presence of gods, sages, and perfected beings. These exalted souls, together with their consorts, have established their abodes in these sanctuaries, each dwelling blessed by Śiva’s compassion. In the Bilva forest, the venerable sage Kashyapa resides with Lakṣmī and others of great merit. The Tāla grove is home to those known as Indra, Upendra, and beings with the essence of serpents. In the Udumbara grove, Kardama and other noble souls have made their dwelling, while the holy and auspicious Amra grove shelters Vidyādharas and Siddhas. The Nimba grove is inhabited by Nāgas and groups of Siddhas. The radiant Sūrya, along with the hosts of Rudra, abides in the Kiṃśuka grove. The divine preceptor is established in the sacred Bījapūra grove, and in the Kaumudī grove, Viṣṇu leads a company of great souls. Beneath the Nyagrodha tree in the Sthalapadma grove, all the serpents dwell, with Śeṣa—the proud lord of all worlds—presiding over them. He alone is Time for all the worlds, established in the netherworld, the manifest form of Viṣṇu, the universal teacher, bearing the plough as his weapon. This very place is the resting ground of the Lord of gods and is likened to the bracelet of mighty Hari. In the Panasa grove, the Dānavas and others dwell with Śukra as their leader. Kinnaras and serpents inhabit the Viśākhaka grove, while the Manohara grove flourishes with all varieties of wondrous trees. There stands Nandīśvara, praised by the hosts of Gaṇas, and in the midst of the Saṃtānaka grove, the goddess Sarasvatī herself is present. These are but a few of the countless dwellers of the sacred groves; their numbers are so vast that even a detailed account would be impossible. High upon the peak of Śitānta, Indra himself resides in the auspicious Pārijāta grove. To the east stretches the broad Kumuda mountain range, where eight ancient cities of the Dānavas once rose. In the auspicious Suvarṇakoṭara, the great-souled Rākṣasas dwell. There are said to be sixty-eight ancient cities of the Nīlakas, and on the lordly Nīla mountain, fifteen ancient cities stand. Among the foremost of the horse-faced beings and kinnaras, three cities of the Vidyādharas adorn the great mountain Veṇusaudha. In Vaikuṇṭha, the illustrious Garuḍa is found; in Karañja, Nīlalohita; and on Vasudhāra, the Vasus reside. On the radiant Ratnadhāra mountain, the Seven Sages of great soul dwell, where seven holy places are graced by accomplished beings. The supreme mountain Ekaśṛṅga is the great abode of Prajāpati. On Gajaśaila, Durgā and other deities, as well as the wise Vasus, have their homes. The Ādityas, Rudras, and Aśvins have also established their dwellings, and the golden-girdled supreme mountain boasts eighty divine cities. On Sunīla mountain, five hundred million Rākṣasas reside, and Pañcakūṭa is famed for its ancient cities, each vast in measure. Śataśṛṅga is home to a hundred cities of the mighty Yakṣas; the Kādraveyas dwell on Tāmrābha, and Guha’s abode is on Viśākha. Śvetodara shelters the foremost sages and the great-souled Suparṇa, while Piśācaka is the domain of Kubera, and Harikūṭa houses Hari. Kumuda is the dwelling of the Kinnaras, Añjana is the abode of the Cāraṇas, and the Gandharvas dwell on Kṛṣṇa. Seven cities are found on Pāṇḍura, where the Vidyādharas, blessed with every enjoyment, reside. On Sahasraśikhara, the fierce Daityas are found, with seven thousand ancient cities belonging to the enemies of Indra. On Mukuṭa mountain, the serpents dwell, while Puṣpaketu is home to the great sages. The lordly mountains are graced by the four abodes of Vaivasvata, Soma, Vāyu, the lord of serpents, and Takṣaka. There, too, are the abodes of Brahmā, Indra, Viṣṇu, Rudra, the great-souled Guha, Kubera, Soma, and other illustrious beings. Even the boundary mountains shelter principal sanctuaries. Śrīkaṇṭha, the Lord of all, dwells in a cave as the universal abode alongside Umā. The lordship and origin of this cosmic egg are due to Śrīkaṇṭha, the Lord of all gods, and in this there is no doubt. Ananta and the others are each guardians of a cosmic egg, regarded as universal emperors, and after them, the Vidyeśvaras hold sway. Now, briefly, the places presided over by Śrīkaṇṭha on the boundary mountains are recounted, for the entire universe—moving and unmoving—is under his dominion. Amidst this wondrous creation, upon Mount Devakūṭa lies the splendid Mahākūṭa, radiant with the glow of gold, beryl, ruby, sapphire, and topaz. Adorned with the finest gems, pure and auspicious, and possessing a hundred thousand branches, it is embellished with all manner of trees: campaka, aśoka, puṇnāga, bakula, and asana, filled with pārijāta, and alive with flocks of birds. This marvelous place is rich with minerals and diverse flowers, garlands of blossoms draping its flanks, and is attended by unique hosts of beings. Pure, sweet springs flow through it, forming streams, decorated with waterfalls strewn with flowers and wondrous sights. Its streams carry clusters of blossoms, and the forest is lush with color, great roots, and many-trunked trees, offering unbroken shade across ten yojanas. This is the Bhūtavana, the forest of beings, truly delightful and the abode of many hosts. Within it shines the radiant dwelling of the great god Mahādeva, Śaṅkara, the high-souled one, adorned with the greatest jewels—a sanctuary at the heart of the divine world.