In the vast and wondrous realms described to the sages, there exists a magnificent city known as Rudrapurī. This city, teeming with splendid palaces, is a place where Śiva, multiplying himself a hundredfold, delights in playful sport with the divine Ambā. Surrounded by his devoted attendants and Ambā herself, Śiva enjoys his divine pastimes in this sacred abode, which is revered as the very dwelling of Śiva. Indeed, throughout creation, there are hundreds of thousands of such sanctuaries dedicated to Śarva, the auspicious Lord. These holy sanctuaries are not limited to one place—they are found on every island, atop mountains and within forests, along the banks of rivers and lakes, and where different waters meet. The lands themselves are graced by many rivers, ever full and auspicious, springing forth from countless lakes. Each river has its own unique course: some flow eastward, some have southern mouths, others arise in the north or west, all pure and celebrated year after year. Above all, there is the celestial ocean of the sky, called Soma, which is the very foundation of all beings and the source of immortality for the gods. From this ocean flows a sacred river, its pure waters gliding through the heavens. This seventh holy river moves along the path of the wind, carrying with it the waters of immortality. It follows the journey of the celestial lights, attended by hosts of luminous beings, and is joined by millions of stars as it courses through the sky. Just as the moon circles the heavens day after day, so too does this river travel, rising up to a distance of eighty-four thousand yojanas. At the heart of this cosmic expanse stands the great Mount Meru, delightful as the playground of Śrīkaṇṭha, where Śarva sits in majesty with Ambā and the revered lords of the Gaṇas. There, for ages untold, the Lord sports with his beloved and his companions. From this exalted place, the sacred river—auspicious and pure—begins its journey, circling Mount Meru in a clockwise path. Driven and divided by the wind, her waters descend swiftly into the four inner peaks of Meru. Surpassing all other mountains by the command of the supreme God, she then flows into the great ocean, branching out in every direction. From this divine river, hundreds and thousands of rivers arise, renowned throughout all the islands, mountains, and regions. Countless small rivers flow as well, and in the land of Ketumāla, the people are dark-skinned, dressed in garments washed in the Ganges, and they nourish themselves with jackfruit. The women of Ketumāla are lotus-hued, and their lifespans reach ten thousand years. In Bhadrāśva, the women are radiant as the rays of the moon; all the people there eat black mangoes, live free from trouble, delight in love, and, devoted to Śiva, also enjoy lives of ten thousand years. Their minds are wholly dedicated to the Lord, and they shine with a golden brilliance. In the region of Ramaṇaka, the people live on the fruit of the banyan tree. All are pure and devoted to meditation on Śiva, living for an astonishing one hundred and fifty thousand years. These golden-hued, greatly fortunate people dwell in golden forests, numbering eleven thousand one hundred and fifty. They live for as many years as their number, sustaining themselves on the fruit of the peepal tree, shining like gold, and offering their minds completely to the Lord. In the land of the Kurus, the people—having fallen from heaven—are all born through union, and they nourish themselves on milk alone. They are mutually devoted, like the chakravāka birds, free from disease and sorrow, always living in happiness. Possessed of great strength, they live for thirteen thousand one hundred and fifty years, and remain faithful to their own partners. For these Kurus, who once dwelled in heaven, death comes to all together; they are ever joyful, highly prosperous, and partake of all kinds of ambrosial foods. They always possess moonstones, are eternally youthful, dark-limbed, and their bodies are adorned with every ornament. On Jambudvīpa, there is also the splendid region of Kuru, where stands the celestial palace of Śambhu, the moon-crested Lord, shining like the moon itself. In the land of Bhārata, mortals live according to the fruits of their actions; their lives are long, their complexions varied, and their bodies limited. They engage in the worship of various gods, enjoy the results of diverse actions, and possess different kinds of knowledge and wealth. Yet, their strength is modest and their enjoyments are few. Some among these mortals dwell on Indradvīpa, others on Kaseru; some have journeyed to Tāmradvīpa, and others to the region called Gabhastimat. Still others reside in gentle Nāgadvīpa, or in the Gandharva and Varuṇa regions. There are also Mlecchas and Pulindas, born of many different races. To the east dwell the Kirātas, and at the far west are the Yavanas. In the middle are found Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and Vaiśyas, while Śūdras are present everywhere. These groups are established in their own pursuits—sacrifice, warfare, and trade—and interact with one another accordingly. Their lives are connected with righteousness, wealth, and desire, each class performing its proper duties with resolve and pride, according to the appropriate order of life’s stages. Here, human activity is directed toward heaven and liberation, with actions bound to the cycles of the ages. In the land of Kiṃpuruṣa, humans live for ten thousand years; the men are golden-hued, and the women are as radiant as celestial nymphs. All are free from disease and sorrow, devoted to Śiva, pure in nature, golden in appearance, living with their spouses, and nourishing themselves on the fruit of the plakṣa tree. In Harivarṣa, the people resemble great silver, all possessing divine forms, having fallen from the world of the gods. They worship Hara, the Lord of all, and drink pure sugarcane juice. Old age does not afflict them—they remain ever youthful. There, humans live for ten thousand years. This central region, described in all its glory, is known by the name Ilāvṛta.