Upon the sacred slopes of Himavat, the mighty mountain realm, dwell the chief Yakshas, spirits, and the Lord himself. Among all mountains, it is here that Mahadeva is ever present, accompanied by Hari, Brahma, and the gracious Ambika. In the forests and across the blue, white, and three-peaked summits, the Blessed Blue-Red One abides with Nandi and his hosts of attendants, filling these regions with divine presence. The perfected beings, gods, and ancestors are ever able to behold him, especially upon the blue lapis, the radiant white, and the golden-bright mountains. Among the kings of mountains established upon Jambudvipa are the peacock-plumed, the golden, and the three-peaked Shringavan, all standing as pillars of the earth. Beyond Jambudvipa, on the continent of Plaksha and the other great islands, there are seven mountains on each, stretching outwards in every direction. These are known as the regional mountains, each with its own divine character. On Plaksha-dvipa, the seven great mountains are: Gomedaka, shining first; Chandra, the second, radiant as the moon; Narada, the third, echoing with sage’s wisdom; Dundubhi, the fourth, resounding like a drum; Somaka, the fifth, gentle as the moon’s nectar; Sumanas, the sixth, fragrant with celestial blossoms; and Vaibhraja, the seventh, radiant in its glory. On Shalmali-dvipa, too, seven principal mountains rise: Kumuda, Uttama, the rain-bringing Balāhaka, Drona, Kanka, Mahisha, and the seventh, Kakudman. Kusha-dvipa, likewise, is graced by seven: Vidruma, red as coral; Hemaparvata, golden; Dyutiman, shining; Pushpita, flower-laden; Kuseshaya, grassy; Harigiri, verdant; and Mandara, the splendid abode of the great god. Mandara is especially revered, for the river Mandā flows from it, and it is so named because it holds these sacred waters. There, in a golden mansion of surpassing excellence, the Lord with the bull-banner, pure Shiva—Soma himself—dwells with Nandi. In ancient times, Maheśvara was pleased by Mandara’s austerities and, in the holy field of Avimukta, received the highest boon. When requested, he departed Avimukta with Ambā and took up residence on Mandara, remaining there with Nandi and his attendants, never leaving its sacred heights. On the island of Krauñca, seven chief mountains stand in succession: Krauñca, Vāmanaka, Andhakāraka, Divāvṛn, Vivinda, Puṇḍarīka, and Dundubhisvana—each encrusted with jewels and shining with celestial light. On Śāka island, seven mountains also rise: Udaya, Raivata, Śyāmaka, the splendid Rājata belonging to Ambikā, the delightful Ambikeya filled with all herbs, Kesarī from which the wind arises, and, on Puṣkara, a single great stone mountain, resplendent with peaks of many jewels. This wondrous mountain stands on the island’s eastern half, rising fifty thousand yojanas into the sky and plunging thirty-four thousand yojanas below, its summit gleaming with beauty. Encircling half the island is the shining mountain Mānasottara, near the shore, bright as a new crescent moon, rising fifty thousand yojanas high and equally broad. On the western half stands Mānasa, the earth-bearing mountain, divided by nature into two great peaks. Around it lie the auspicious regions of Rājata and Mānasya, while the outer land is Mahāvīta, and the inner is called Dhātakīkhaṇḍa. The lotus continent is surrounded on all sides by oceans of sweet water and curds, as vast as the expanse of Puṣkara, and Puṣkara itself is equal in extent and circumference. Each of the seven continents is thus encircled by its own ocean, with the seventh ocean following the seventh continent, each expanding in succession. Beyond Puṣkara lies the great ocean of sweet water, which surrounds all. Further still is a vast golden land, twice as large, resembling a single massive slab of stone, where the worlds are established. At the farthest boundary stands the mountain Lokāloka, marking the edge of the circle of the world, both luminous and dark. As far as the visible and invisible mountain extends, so does the earth, rising ten thousand yojanas high and equally broad. In the nearer half of Lokāloka, the rays of the sun reach, but beyond, darkness reigns eternally, giving the mountain its name—Lokāloka, the boundary of worlds and non-worlds. Thus, the extent of the earth-world is briefly revealed. From the sun’s realm to the regions of earth and heaven, up to the pole star, the seven rims of the wind—beginning with Āvaha—are established, marking the sacred structure of the universe, as known to the wise.