From the unmanifest birth of Brahmā, there emerged a wondrous creation, born from the binding of his navel—a majestic mountain, whose very nature reveals the essence of the four varnas. To the east, its side gleams white, establishing its Brāhmaṇa aspect. To the south, it shines yellow, showing its Vaiśya nature. The western face is marked by the color of the bhṛṅgi leaf, signifying the Śūdra, by name, meaning, and function. And on the northern side, its natural color is red, affirming its Kṣatriya nature. Thus, the mountain’s sides are described in their distinctive hues. This mountain is not only blue, beryl-like, white, yellow, golden, peacock-feather colored, and made of refined gold, but it is also horned—radiant and multifaceted. These are the kings among mountains, frequented by perfected beings and celestial wanderers, and the distance between them is said to be nine thousand yojanas. At the heart of all, surrounding Mahāmeru, lies the region called Ilāvṛta, stretching twenty-four thousand yojanas wide, equal on every side. In the very center of Ilāvṛta stands Mahāmeru itself, glowing like a smokeless fire. This mountain’s altar is divided, half lying to the south, half to the north. Within this land, seven regions each possess their own mountain ranges, with each range to the north and south measuring two thousand yojanas in width. The breadth of Jambūdvīpa is defined by the length of these ranges, while Nīla, Niṣadha, and those beyond are lesser in extent. Śveta, Hemakūṭa, and Himavān with its peaks are also named, and Ṛṣabha is mentioned according to the measure of Jambūdvīpa. Hemakūṭa’s measure is diminished by one-twelfth, and Himavān is reduced by one-twentieth from the same. Hemakūṭa, the great mountain, spans eighty-eight thousand yojanas. Himavān stretches eighty thousand from east to west, and due to the circular nature of the island, the decrease and increase of these measures are described. As the regions and mountains differ, so does the north; within them are settlements, forming the seven regions. These seven regions are surrounded by mountains with steep slopes and difficult terrain, mutually inaccessible due to the divisions of rivers. Various beings of all kinds dwell within, and this snowy region is renowned as Bhārata. Beyond Hemakūṭa lies the region called Kimpuruṣa; from Hemakūṭa to Niṣadha is Harivarṣa. Beyond Harivarṣa, upon Meru, is Ilāvṛta; beyond Ilāvṛta is Nīla, known as Ramyaka and renowned. Beyond Ramyaka is Śveta, called Hiraṇyaka; beyond Hiraṇyaka is Śṛṅgaśākaṅkura. O divine sage, know that in the north and south, arranged like a bow, there are four long regions; the central one is Ilāvṛta. To the east of Niṣadha is the southern half of the altar; beyond lies Ilāvṛta, and to the west is the northern half. Between them, Meru stands, where Ilāvṛta is found—south of Nīla and north of Niṣadha. To the north rises the great mountain Mālyavān, extending thirty-two thousand yojanas towards the west, following the ocean. Mālyavān itself extends for one thousand yojanas from Nīla to Niṣadha; likewise, Gandhamadana mountain is thirty-two yojanas wide. In the center of these circular ranges stands Meru, the golden mountain, equal in color to the four castes, rising with a four-sided form. Its sides are adorned with various colors: at the eastern end it is white, to the south yellow, to the north dark like the wings of a bee, and to the west red. Thus is Meru endowed with colors. Meru shines resplendent, divine, encircled by royal standards, glowing with the radiance of the rising sun, like fire without smoke. It rises to a height of eighty-four thousand yojanas, descends sixteen thousand below, and spreads twenty-eight thousand in breadth. Its circumference is twice its breadth on all sides; this great and divine mountain is filled with celestial herbs. Surrounded on all sides by worlds adorned with gold, hosts of gods, gandharvas, asuras, and rakshasas rejoice on the king of mountains, together with groups of apsaras. Meru is encircled by worlds, the abodes of beings, and at its various sides are situated four regions: Bhadrāśva and Bhārata, Ketumāla to the west, and the northern Kurus—sanctuaries for those who have performed meritorious deeds. Supporting mountains there are Mandara, Gandhamadana, Vipula, and Supārśva, all adorned with every kind of jewel. Arunoda, Mānasa, Sitoda, and Bhadra—these four lakes are above them, along with forests. The Bhadra kadamba tree grows on Gandhamadana mountain, the Jambu tree and the sacred fig on Vipula, and the great banyan tree. On the western side of Gandhamadana is Amaragandhika, which is thirty-two thousand yojanas in extent on all sides. There, the Ketumalas are renowned for their virtuous deeds; there dwell all the Kalanalas, beings of great strength and power. There, women shine with the hue of blue lotuses, beautiful and pleasing to behold; there stands a divine, great tree—the jackfruit, radiant with its leaves. By drinking the juice of its fruit, they live long together. On the eastern side of Mālyavān is the eastern Gandhika, also thirty-two thousand yojanas in extent, and there are a hundred such places. There, Bhadrāśva is ever joyful in mind; there is the Bhadramala forest, and the great tree Kālāmrā. There, the men are white, of great strength and power; the women are radiant like white lotuses, beautiful and delightful to behold. Thus is the wondrous geography of the sacred realm, with its mountains, regions, peoples, and divine wonders, as described in the ancient wisdom.