Between the mighty mountains lies Meru, the golden axis of the world, standing at the heart of Ilāvṛta. To the north of Meru stretches the great Nīla range, and to its south rises Niṣadha. Farther north still, the splendid mountain Mālyavān ascends, extending thirty-two thousand yojanas westward, its length running parallel to the vast ocean. Mālyavān itself spans a thousand yojanas from Nīla to Niṣadha, while the renowned Gandhamadana mountain is thirty-two yojanas wide. At the center of these encircling ranges towers Meru, the golden mountain, radiant and four-sided, its hues reflecting the four castes. Each of Meru’s sides is adorned with a different color: white in the east, yellow in the south, dark as a bee’s wing in the north, and red in the west. Thus, Meru is endowed with every shade, glowing with the brilliance of the rising sun, shining like smokeless fire, and crowned with celestial banners. Meru soars to a height of eighty-four thousand yojanas above the earth and plunges sixteen thousand yojanas below, its breadth spanning twenty-eight thousand yojanas. Its circumference is twice its breadth, and the mountain is filled with divine herbs of every kind. Surrounding Meru are worlds adorned with gold, where gods, gandharvas, asuras, rakshasas, and groups of apsaras gather in joy upon the king of mountains. Encircling Meru are the abodes of beings: the regions of Bhadrāśva in the east, Bhārata to the south, Ketumāla to the west, and the northern Kurus—each a sanctuary for the virtuous. Supporting these realms stand the jeweled mountains Mandara, Gandhamadana, Vipula, and Supārśva. Upon these mountains, four sacred lakes—Arunoda, Mānasa, Sitoda, and Bhadra—are found, surrounded by lush forests. Unique and sacred trees grow upon these mountains: the Bhadra kadamba on Gandhamadana, the Jambu and holy fig on Vipula, and the great banyan tree. On the western side of Gandhamadana lies Amaragandhika, a region vast as thirty-two thousand yojanas, where the virtuous Ketumalas reside, and mighty Kalanalas dwell. There, women are as beautiful as blue lotuses, pleasing to behold, and a divine jackfruit tree stands, its radiant leaves shining. By drinking the juice of this tree’s fruit, the people enjoy long lives together. On the eastern side of Mālyavān is the eastern Gandhika, also thirty-two thousand yojanas wide, with a hundred such wondrous places. There lies Bhadrāśva, a land of ever-joyful minds, home to the Bhadramala forest and the great Kālāmrā tree. The men here are white-skinned, strong, and powerful, while the women are radiant as white lotuses, lovely to see. These women shine with the radiance of the moon, their faces like the full moon, their bodies cool and fragrant as moonlight and blue lotuses. Free from disease, they live for ten thousand years, eternally youthful from the immortal fruit they drink. Thus, Brahmā described the natural years and blessings of these lands to the eager sages, who, filled with curiosity and joy, asked him to tell further of those who dwell in the mountains. Brahmā continued, describing the region south of Nīla and north of Niṣadha, where lies the land called Ramaṇaka. There, pure-hearted and noble people are born, devoted to delight, pleasing in appearance, and of excellent lineage. A mighty Rohiṇa banyan tree grows there, and by drinking the juice of its fruit, the people live long and joyful lives—ten thousand and one thousand years. To the north of Śveta, beside the southern slopes of Śṛṅga, is the land called Hiraṇvata, through which flows the river Hairaṇvatī. Here, men of great strength and noble spirit are ever cheerful and pleasing to behold. Their lives span eleven thousand one hundred and fifty years, sustained by the juice of the great lakuca tree, whose sheltering leaves protect them. Śṛṅgasāhvā, a mountain with three shining peaks—one of jewels, one of gold, and one of all precious stones—stands radiant among the worlds. North of this mountain, at the southern edge by the sea, lies the land of the Kurus, a sacred region frequented by perfected beings. Here, trees bear honeyed fruit and divine nectar-like streams flow; garments and ornaments are produced from the fruits of these trees. Some trees grant every desire, while others, called milk-trees, yield nectar-like milk in six flavors to those who preserve it. The very ground in this land is made of jewels and golden sand, soft and pleasant to the touch, with auspicious, silent breezes. Here, auspicious humans are born who have descended from the world of the gods, all of pure lineage and eternal youth.