Let me tell you, O wise one, of the wondrous expanse of the sacred mountains and regions as the ancient scriptures recount. First, consider the mighty Hemakūṭa, a mountain grand yet slightly diminished—reduced by one-twelfth from a prior measure, while Himavān, the famed Himalayas, is lessened by one-twentieth from the same. Hemakūṭa itself stretches for eighty-eight thousand yojanas, a testament to its vastness. Himavān, that great northern range, spans eighty thousand yojanas from east to west. Because the island itself is circular, the measures of these mountains are described in terms of increase and decrease, reflecting the land’s unique form. As you move through these lands, you will find that the regions and mountains differ, especially in the north, where among the seven regions, settlements of people flourish. These seven regions are each encircled by mountains with steep, forbidding slopes, separated by rivers that make passage between them nearly impossible. Within these lands, a multitude of beings dwell, each kind finding its home. The snowy region among them is renowned as Bhārata, famed throughout the world. Beyond Hemakūṭa lies the land called Kimpuruṣa. The stretch from Hemakūṭa to Niṣadha is known as Harivarṣa. Beyond Harivarṣa, on the slopes of Meru, is the celebrated region of Ilāvṛta. Further still, past Ilāvṛta, rises the mountain Nīla, and there lies the renowned Ramyaka. Beyond Ramyaka is Śveta, also called Hiraṇyaka, and even further is the region known as Śṛṅgaśākaṅkura. Know, O divine sage, that in the north and south, arranged in a bow-like arc, are four long regions, with Ilāvṛta at their very center. To the east of Niṣadha is the southern half of the altar, and beyond that lies Ilāvṛta; to the west is the northern half. Between these, right at the heart, stands the golden Meru, where Ilāvṛta is situated—south of Nīla and north of Niṣadha. To the north, the great mountain Mālyavān rises, extending thirty-two thousand yojanas toward the western ocean. Mālyavān itself stretches for a thousand yojanas from Nīla to Niṣadha, and likewise, the Gandhamadana mountain is said to be thirty-two yojanas in breadth. In the very center of these circular ranges stands Meru, the golden mountain, its four sides radiant with the colors of the four castes. Each face of Meru gleams with a distinct hue: white in the east, yellow in the south, dark as bee’s wings in the north, and red in the west. Thus, Meru is adorned with a spectrum of divine colors. Meru shines with celestial brilliance, resplendent and encircled by royal standards, glowing with the radiance of the rising sun—like a smokeless fire. It soars to a height of eighty-four thousand yojanas above the earth, 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 and surrounded by worlds adorned with gold. Upon Meru, hosts of gods, gandharvas, asuras, rakshasas, and apsaras gather and rejoice together on this king of mountains. All around Meru lie the abodes of beings, and at its various sides are situated four great regions: Bhadrāśva and Bhārata, Ketumāla to the west, and the northern Kurus—sanctuaries for those who have performed meritorious deeds. Supporting these lands are the jeweled mountains Mandara, Gandhamadana, Vipula, and Supārśva. Above them are four sacred lakes—Arunoda, Mānasa, Sitoda, and Bhadra—each surrounded by lush forests. On Gandhamadana grows the sacred Bhadra kadamba tree; on Vipula, the Jambu tree and the holy fig, as well as the great banyan tree. To the west of Gandhamadana lies Amaragandhika, a region thirty-two thousand yojanas in extent. There, the Ketumalas are famed for their virtuous deeds, and all the mighty Kalanalas dwell—beings of great strength and power. In this land, women shine with the blue hue of lotuses, beautiful and pleasing to behold. There grows a divine jackfruit tree, radiant with its leaves, and by drinking the juice of its fruit, the people live long and joyous lives together. On the eastern side of Mālyavān is the eastern Gandhika, also thirty-two thousand yojanas wide, and there are a hundred such places. There lies Bhadrāśva, whose people are ever joyful in mind. In the Bhadramala forest grows the great Kālāmrā tree. There, the men are white, strong, and powerful; the women radiate like white lotuses, their beauty delightful to behold. They shine with the radiance of the moon, with faces and complexions like the full moon, their bodies cool as moonlight and fragrant with the scent of blue lotuses. Their lives span ten thousand years, free from disease, ever youthful from drinking the essence of the immortal fruit. Thus did Brahmā speak to the sages, describing the lands and their years as they naturally are, saying, “Having bestowed my favor before, what more shall I recount to you?” Hearing these words, the sages of firm vows, filled with curiosity and joy, replied, “O sage, you have described the lands of the east and west, and also all the northern regions and mountains. Tell us truly about those who dwell in the mountains.” Thus addressed, Brahmā spoke again, “Hear now of those regions I mentioned, south of Nīla and north of Niṣadha. There is a land called Ramaṇaka, where noble beings are born. These pure-hearted men, devoted to delight, are all of noble lineage and pleasing to behold. There, too, grows a mighty banyan tree of the Rohiṇa kind, and by drinking the juice of its fruit, the people live long lives. These blessed, excellent men live for ten thousand and one thousand years, always joyful.” Thus is the wondrous order of the sacred mountains and lands, as revealed by the ancient seers.