Upon the mighty mountain of Śataśṛṅga, there flourish a hundred resplendent cities, home to Yakṣas of immeasurable power. Nearby, on Tāmrābha, dwell the Kādraveyas, the serpent-born, while Viśākha is sanctified as the abode of Guha, the divine commander. Śvetodara is graced by the foremost sages and the great-souled Suparṇa, the celestial bird, and on Piśācaka stands the radiant abode of Kubera, the lord of wealth. Harikūṭa shines with the presence of Hari himself. The mountain Kumuda is the dwelling place of the Kinnaras, celestial musicians, while Añjana is home to the Cāraṇas, the wandering bards. The Gandharvas, famed for their music, reside on the slopes of Kṛṣṇa, and Pāṇḍura boasts seven cities. There, O best of Brāhmaṇas, the Vidyādharas, endowed with all enjoyments, live in splendor. On the towering Sahasraśikhara dwell the fierce Daityas, and there are seven thousand ancient cities belonging to the enemies of Indra. On Mukuṭa, the serpents have made their abode, while Puṣpaketu is sanctified by the presence of great sages. The lordly mountains are further graced by the abodes of Vaivasvata, Soma, Vāyu, the lord of serpents, and Takṣaka. Upon these heights are the sanctuaries of Brahmā, Indra, Viṣṇu, Rudra, the noble Guha, Kubera, Soma, and other great souls. Even upon the boundary mountains, principal sanctuaries are found; within a cave dwells Śrīkaṇṭha, the universal abode, along with Umā. It is Śrīkaṇṭha, the Lord of all gods and the origin of this cosmic egg, who presides over all these realms; there can be no doubt of his supreme lordship. Thus, Ananta and the other guardians each protect a cosmic egg and are known as universal emperors, and after them come the Vidyeśvaras. Now, let me speak briefly of the places presided over by Śrīkaṇṭha on the boundary mountains. This entire universe, both moving and unmoving, is under the dominion of Śrīkaṇṭha. I shall now explain in detail, up to Kālagniśiva. In the heart of the splendid Mahākūṭa on Mount Devakūṭa, which glows with the radiance of gold, beryl, ruby, sapphire, and topaz, and is adorned with other precious gems, stands a forest of a hundred thousand branches. The mountain is embellished with all manner of trees—campaka, aśoka, puṇnāga, bakula, and asana—filled with pārijāta blossoms and alive with the songs of many birds. The region is wondrous, rich with countless minerals and garlanded with diverse flowers. Its flanks are festooned with blossoms, and unique beings gather there. Pure, sweet springs flow, joined by streams and waterfalls strewn with flowers, creating marvels at every turn. Streams carry clusters of blooms, and the ground is lush with color, great roots, and trees with many trunks. The shade is unbroken and delightful, spanning ten yojanas in every direction. Here lies the forest called Bhūtavana, the abode of hosts of wondrous beings. Within this forest stands the radiant abode of the great god Mahādeva, Śaṅkara, the high-souled one, adorned with great jewels. The palace is furnished with golden walls, jeweled gateways, and marvelous crystal towers. Lion-thrones made of gems, covered with splendid cloths, are perfectly set upon the ground and presided over by the blessed Śarva. The halls are adorned with unfading garlands, houses of many colors, and splendid pavilions supported by crystal pillars. All the lords of beings attend there, and Śaṅkara is worshipped by Brahmā, Indra, Upendra, and by animals of every kind—boars, elephants, lions, bears, tigers, camels, and monkeys. There are also those with faces of vultures, owls, deer, and camels, and the mighty Pramathas, massive and splendid as mountain peaks. Fierce, green-haired, shaggy, great-armed beings of various colors and forms stand in diverse postures, their faces radiant and their deeds illustrious. Noble Nandīśvaras, resembling Brahmā, Indra, and Viṣṇu, endowed with the supernatural powers beginning with Aṇimā, are ever present. The assembly is never without immortals and great gatherings, and the gods continually perform worship for the Lord of beings. With cymbals, conches, drums, bherīs, ḍiṇḍimas, and gomukhas, with graceful melodies, sweet singing, and measured, resounding roars, the great god Mahādeva, Lord of the Pramathas, is worshipped by Pramathas, Siddhas, seers, gods, Gandharvas, and the great-souled Brahmā. There, Śaṃkara is worshipped by Indra and others, upon a summit divided and beautiful, glowing with the radiance of a conch shell. Kailāsa is the abode of Kubera, the great-souled king of the Yakṣas, surrounded by ten million Yakṣas and other noble souls. There too is the great sanctuary of Bhava, lord of gods; within this sanctuary, Soma always dwells with his attendants and Hara. Upon the splendid summit of Kubera flows the river Mandākinī, also called Nalinī, with abundant waters and golden and jeweled steps. The river is adorned with golden lotuses, fragrant and beautiful, with leaves of blue beryl and splendid, fragrant blooms. Clusters of kumuda and great lotuses decorate its waters, and it is served by Yakṣa, Gandharva, and celestial women, as well as by Apsarases. The holy river Mandākinī, pure and beautiful, is touched by gods, demons, Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, and Kinnaras. On the northern bank stands the auspicious sanctuary of Bhava, adorned with beryl jewels, where the imperishable Śaṅkara abides. On the eastern and southern shores of the golden Nandā, a forest flourishes, rich with thousands of twice-born ones and teeming with beasts and birds. There too, accompanied by his attendants and Ambā, Mahādeva sports in a house like a mountain, on the western shore of Nandā, gently inclined to the south.