Let me recount for you, O wise one, the sacred geography of the cosmos as described in the ancient verses. First, the great mountains are named in order: Vidruma stands as the foremost, followed by Hemaparvata. Dyutiman is the third, and Pushpita is the fourth; Kuseshaya comes fifth, and Harigiri is remembered as the sixth. The seventh mountain, Mandara, is especially splendid, renowned as the abode of the mighty god. Here, the river Mandā flows, and Mandara is so called for its role in holding these waters. Upon Mandara, the Lord with the bull-banner, the pure and all-encompassing Śiva—Soma—dwells with Nandī in a most excellent golden mansion. In ages past, Maheśvara was pleased by Mandara’s austerities, and in Avimukta, that great sacred field, he received the highest boon. When Mandara was granted the privilege of divine residence, the great god, together with Ambā, left Avimukta and made Mandara his home. With Nandī and his attendants, Soma abides there without ever departing. On the island of Krauñca, there are seven chief mountains, beginning with Krauñca itself. Next comes Vāmanaka, then Andhakāraka; beyond Andhakāra stands Divāvṛn. Further, Vivinda appears, followed by the grand mountain Puṇḍarīka. Beyond Puṇḍarīka lies Dundubhisvana. These seven, adorned with jewels, are the principal mountains of Krauñca island. Turn now to the Śāka island, where seven mountains also rise: Udaya, Raivata, and Śyāmaka. There is the splendid Rājata mountain, beautiful and belonging to Ambikā. Beyond Ambikeya lies a delightful mountain rich in all herbs. Kesarī is another, from which the wind originates. On Puṣkara, there is a single great mountain of stone, radiant and magnificent, its peaks made of various jewels and lofty stones. This mountain stands on the eastern half of the island, crowned with a wondrous summit. It rises upwards for fifty thousand yojanas and extends downwards for thirty-four thousand yojanas—a truly colossal mountain. Encircling half the island is Mānasottara, near the shore, shining like a crescent moon newly risen. Mānasottara rises fifty thousand yojanas high, equally broad and rounded on its sides. On the western half stands Mānasa, the earth-bearing mountain, solitary and grand, divided into two by its formation. Around this mountain are two auspicious and holy regions: Rājata and Mānasya. Outside Mānasa is the region called Mahāvīta, while the inner region is known as Dhātakīkhaṇḍa. The lotus continent is surrounded on all sides by an ocean of sweet water and curds, vast as the continent of Puṣkara. In extent and circumference, Puṣkara matches this expanse. Thus, each of the seven continents is encircled by seven oceans, one following the other. The seventh ocean follows each continent, marking the progression of continents and oceans in succession. Beyond Puṣkara lies the great ocean of sweet water, encompassing everything. Further still, a vast golden land appears, twice as large, resembling a single slab of stone, where the worlds are established. At the boundary of this circle stands a mountain, both luminous and non-luminous, called Lokāloka. As far as the visible and invisible mountain of Lokāloka extends, so far does the earth reach. Its height is ten thousand yojanas, and its breadth matches this measure. In its nearer half, the sun’s rays move freely, but in the farther half, darkness is perpetual—hence it is named Lokāloka. Thus, the extent of the earth-world is briefly described. From the sun to the region of earth and heaven, up to the pole star, the seven rims of the wind are established, beginning with Āvaha, then Pravaha, followed by Anuvaha, Saṃvaha, Vivaha, and above them, Parāvaha. The seventh is Parivaha. These are the seven rims of the wind, along with the clouds, the sun, the moon, and the groups of stars. The planets, the seven sages, and the pole star are all arranged in order, fifteen yojanas above the earth’s surface up to the pole star. From the earth’s surface to the sun’s sphere is one hundred thousand yojanas; above that, the sun’s chariot is sixteen thousand yojanas higher. Above the earth, Meru rises to eighty-four thousand yojanas. From the pole star, the realm of Maharloka stretches ten million yojanas above. From Maharloka to Janaloka is two crores of yojanas; from Janaloka to Tapoloka, four crores. From the world of Prajāpati to Brahmaloka is six crores in extent. These seven virtuous worlds have been described within this cosmic egg. Below are the seven netherworlds and countless hells, ending with Māyā—twenty-eight dreadful ones in all. The sinful are tormented there according to their deeds; hells such as Avīci and Raurava are found among them, each with five particular hells. At the beginning of the cosmic egg, its coverings were also described. Thus, the sacred geography and cosmic structure are revealed, layer upon layer, mountain upon mountain, continent upon continent, and world upon world, all within the great cosmic egg, as told in the ancient scripture.