In the sacred month of Magha, O scion of the Bharatas, ten thousand holy places and thirty million sacred rivers journey to the Ganga, seeking her purifying embrace. With this truth, the venerable sage Markandeya comforted King Yudhishthira, urging him to be at ease and enjoy his kingdom without hindrance. He assured the king that he would once again behold the sacrificer, especially, and that all would be well. Having spoken these words, the illustrious ascetic Markandeya vanished from sight, leaving Yudhishthira in wonder. The king, together with his companions, then bathed in those holy waters, performing the prescribed rites. Their hearts and bodies refreshed, they attained supreme contentment. In turn, Nandisha advised the divine sage, “You too should set out for Prayaga. After performing your ablutions today, your purpose will be fulfilled.” With these words, Nandisha also disappeared, and Narada, eager and swift, made his way toward Prayaga. There, Narada performed his sacred bath, recited the proper mantras, and completed the prescribed rites. He gave gifts to the foremost of the twice-born, fulfilling his duties, and then returned to his own abode. At this point, a question arose: “O Lord, how many continents and oceans are there? How many mountains and regions? Which rivers are remembered within them? What is the measure of the great earth and of Lokāloka? Tell us also the extent, dimensions, and courses of the moon and sun. We long to hear all of this in detail, for you know the truth.” In response, the sage explained, “There are a thousand divisions of continents, with seven principal ones among them. It is not possible to describe the entire world in order here, but I will recount the seven, along with the moon, sun, and planets, as their measures are understood by human reason. Indeed, what is inconceivable cannot be grasped by reasoning; that which is beyond nature marks the truly inconceivable. “Listen, then, as I describe the seven regions of Jambūdvīpa, their extent, and their circle, giving their measures in yojanas. The breadth of the continent is one hundred thousand yojanas, filled with diverse peoples and adorned with many splendid cities. It is crowded with Siddhas and Cāraṇas, beautified by mountains veined with minerals, their rocky masses rising high. “All around, rivers flow forth from the mountains, their banks great and nourishing the land. There are six principal mountain ranges within these regions. On both sides, the eastern and western oceans must be crossed. There stand Himavat, mostly snowy; Hemakūṭa; and Hemavān. Encircling all is the great mountain Niṣadha, with a beautiful face. At the very heart is Meru—golden, lofty, and said to be four-caste, made of pure gold, extending twenty-four thousand yojanas in every direction. “Meru’s form is circular, yet it is set as a square, equal on all sides, adorned with many colors and endowed with the qualities of the Lord of Creatures. It is said to have sprung from the binding of Brahmā’s navel, whose birth is unmanifest. Its eastern side is white, signifying its Brāhmaṇa nature; the southern side is yellow, showing its Vaiśya aspect; the west is colored like the bhṛṅgi leaf, marking its Śūdra nature; and the north is red, establishing its Kṣatriya quality. Thus, Meru’s colors and natures are described. “Meru shines in blue beryl, white, yellow, gold, peacock-feather hues, and refined gold, and it is horned. These are the kings among mountains, frequented by perfected beings and celestial wanderers. The distance between these mountains is said to be nine thousand yojanas. “In the middle, encircling Mahāmeru, lies the region called Ilāvṛta, twenty-four thousand yojanas wide and equal on all sides. At its very center stands Mahāmeru itself, like a smokeless fire. Half of its altar lies to the south, the other half to the north. “The seven regions here each have their own mountain ranges, each two thousand yojanas wide to the north and south. The breadth of Jambūdvīpa is measured by their length, but the ranges Nīla, Niṣadha, and those beyond are lesser in extent. Śveta, Hemakūṭa, and Himavān with their peaks are also named, and Ṛṣabha is measured according to the size of Jambūdvīpa. “Hemakūṭa is less by one-twelfth, and Himavān by one-twentieth. Hemakūṭa, the great mountain, measures eighty-eight thousand yojanas; Himavān is eighty thousand yojanas from east to west. Because the island is circular, these measures increase or decrease accordingly. “As the regions and mountains differ, so does the north. Settlements are found among them, and these are the seven regions. Surrounded by steep and difficult mountain slopes, these regions are mutually inaccessible, divided by rivers. Various beings of all kinds dwell within them, and among these, the snowy region is renowned as Bhārata. “Beyond Hemakūṭa is the region called Kimpuruṣa. From Hemakūṭa to Niṣadha is known as Harivarṣa. Beyond Harivarṣa, on Meru itself, lies Ilāvṛta. Beyond Ilāvṛta is Nīla, called Ramyaka and famed. Beyond Ramyaka is Śveta, also known as Hiraṇyaka. Beyond Hiraṇyaka is Śṛṅgaśākaṅkura, so it is called. “Know, O divine sage, that in the north and south, arranged like a bow, are four long regions, with Ilāvṛta in the middle. To the east of Niṣadha lies the southern half of the altar; beyond is Ilāvṛta, and to the west is the northern half.” Thus, the sage revealed the wondrous structure of the world, its mountains, regions, and sacred rivers, as known to the wise.