In the vastness of the world, there are many lands and peoples, each with their own ways and destinies. Some have journeyed to the gentle island of Nāgadvīpa, while others dwell in the regions of the Gandharvas or Varuṇa. Among them are Mlecchas and Pulindas, peoples born of many diverse races. To the east live the Kirātas, while at the far western edge are the Yavanas. In the central lands dwell the Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and Vaiśyas, and throughout all these regions, the Śūdras are found. Each group is established in its own pursuits: some are devoted to sacrifice, others to warfare, and many to trade. Among them, all interactions and dealings proceed in accordance with their customs and ways. Bound by the principles of righteousness, wealth, and desire, each class performs its own duties with resolve and pride, following the proper order of life’s stages. Human activity here is always directed toward the ultimate aims of heaven and liberation, and their actions are shaped by the great cycles of time. In Kiṃpuruṣa, humans live for ten thousand years. The men are golden in hue, and the women possess the beauty of celestial nymphs. Free from disease and sorrow, they are pure in nature, devoted to Śiva, and golden in appearance. They live with their spouses and sustain themselves on the fruit of the plakṣa tree. Harivarṣa, too, is inhabited by people who shine like great silver. All are of divine form, having descended from the world of the gods. There, they worship Hara, the Lord of all, and drink only the purest sugarcane juice. Old age does not touch them, and the people remain ever youthful. Their lifespans, too, reach ten thousand years. At the very center lies the region known as Ilāvṛta. In this wondrous place, neither sun nor moon nor star shines, and yet the people do not age. There is no need for external light, for the inhabitants themselves are radiant like lotuses, with faces and eyes like lotus petals, and a fragrance like lotus leaves. Born in this land, they are devoted to the very essence of existence. These beings live on the juice of the jambū fruits, remaining unmoving and fragrant. They are those who have come from the world of the gods, and are free from old age and death. In Ilāvṛta, the excellent men live for thirteen thousand years. By drinking the juice of the jambū fruit, they are untouched by old age, hunger, or fatigue, and death does not find them. From this land arises a special kind of gold known as Jambunada, an ornament of the gods, shining with a radiance like the Indragopa insect. Thus, the dwellers of these nine regions differ in color, lifespan, food, and other features, each unique in their own way. Upon the mountain Hemakuta reside the Gandharvas and all the hosts of Apsaras. On the mountain Nishadha dwell the great Nāgas: Shesha, Vasuki, and Takṣaka. The thirty-three mighty sacrificial gods find delight there as well. On the blue lapis-lazuli mountain, the perfected beings and pure Brahmarshis make their abode. The white mountain is said to be the dwelling of the Daityas and Dānavas, while Shringavan mountain is always the home of the ancestors. The Himavat range is the domain of the chief Yakṣas, spirits, and the Lord himself. Among all mountains, Mahādeva is present, accompanied by Hari, Brahmā, and Ambikā. With Nandi and the hosts of attendants, in all regions and forests, and upon the blue, white, and three-peaked mountains, the Blessed Blue-Red One abides. He is always seen by the perfected beings, gods, and ancestors, especially on the blue lapis, white, bright, and golden mountains. The mountains crowned with peacock plumes, the golden peak, and the three-peaked Shringavan—these mountain kings are established upon Jambudvīpa. Beyond Jambudvīpa, on Plaksha and each of the other continents, there are seven great mountains on each, stretching straight in every direction, known as the regional mountains. On Plaksha-dvīpa, the seven divine mountains are Gomedaka, Chandra, Narada, Dundubhi, Somaka, Sumanas, and Vaibhraja. These are the sacred peaks of Plaksha-dvīpa. On Shālmali-dvīpa, too, seven mountains rise: Kumuda, Uttama, Balāhaka, Drona, Kanka, Mahisha, and Kakudman. On Kusha-dvīpa, the principal mountains are Vidruma, Hemaparvata, Dyutiman, Pushpita, Kuseshaya, Harigiri, and the splendid Mandara, which is the abode of the great god. Mandā is the river there, and Mandara is so named because it holds its waters. Upon Mandara, the Lord with the bull-banner, the pure Śiva, Lord of all, abides in a most excellent golden mansion with Nandi. In days of old, Maheśvara was pleased by Mandara’s austerities, and in Avimukta, the great sacred field, he received the highest boon. When the great god was asked for a dwelling, he came from Avimukta with Ambā and made his residence upon Mandara. With Nandi and his attendants, Soma remains there and does not depart. On the island of Krauñca, there are seven chief mountains: Krauñca, Vāmanaka, Andhakāraka, Divāvṛn, Vivinda, Puṇḍarīka, and Dundubhisvana. These seven, adorned with jewels, are the glorious peaks of Krauñca island. Thus, the world is adorned with many lands, peoples, and mountains, each sacred and wondrous, each watched over by the gods and filled with their blessings.