Brahmā, in his wisdom, spoke to the gathered sages, describing wondrous beings and lands. He told of women whose radiance rivaled the moon, their complexions as luminous and cool as moonlight, their faces full and beautiful like the full moon, their bodies fragrant with the scent of blue lotuses. These women enjoyed a lifespan of ten thousand years, untouched by disease, remaining forever youthful after drinking the essence of the immortal fruit. Brahmā explained the natural measure of years in these regions, reminding the sages that he had already bestowed his favor and wondered what more they wished to hear. The sages, steadfast in their vows and filled with curiosity, responded joyfully, asking him to describe not only the lands of the east and west, but also the northern regions and mountains. They requested him to speak truly about those who dwell in the mountains. Brahmā continued, describing regions south of Nīla and north of Niṣadha. There lay the land of Ramaṇaka, where beings of pure heart were born. These men, devoted to delight, noble in lineage, and pleasing to behold, lived by drinking the juice of a mighty banyan tree of the Rohiṇa kind. Blessed and excellent, they lived for ten thousand and one thousand years, always joyful. He then spoke of the land north of Śveta, beside the southern slope of Śṛṅga, called Hiraṇvata, through which the river Hairaṇvatī flows. There, men of great strength and spirit, cheerful and noble in lineage, lived for eleven thousand years and one hundred and fifty more. They sustained themselves with the juice of the lakuca tree, which sheltered them with its leaves. Brahmā described Śṛṅgasāhvā, a mountain with three great peaks: one adorned with jewels, one with gold, and one made of all precious stones, shining brightly among the worlds. To the north of this mountain, at its southern edge by the sea, lay the sacred region of the Kurus, frequented by perfected beings. In this land, trees bore honeyed fruit, and divine nectar-like streams flowed. Garments and ornaments were produced from the fruits of these trees. Some trees granted every desire, while others, known as milk-trees, yielded milk with six flavors, like nectar, to those who preserved it. The ground itself was made of jewels, dusted with fine golden sand, pleasant to touch everywhere, with auspicious, silent breezes. There, auspicious humans were born who had fallen from the world of the gods. All possessed pure lineage and steady youth. Couples were born together, the women as beautiful as apsarases, and they drank nectar-like milk from those who gave it. Each pair was born in a single day, grew together, shared the same form and character, and died at the same time. Devoted to one another like chakravāka birds, they were free from illness and sorrow, their minds always joyful. These great beings lived for ten thousand and ten hundred years, with no other woman involved. Brahmā concluded his account, saying such was the nature of the years seen in Bhārata Yuga by those who know the highest dharma. The sages had been told these things by the wise son of Sūta. Yet, in the northern recitation, they questioned him again. The sages then asked Lomaharṣaṇa, the Purāṇika, to speak further. They wished to learn about the land of Bhārata, where the fourteen Manus, beginning with Svāyambhuva, had created generations of beings. Lomaharṣaṇa, having reflected deeply and considered with reason, began to relate the northern recitation. He described the peoples of Bhārata, explaining that Manu was called Bharata because he bore and begot generations. By etymological explanation, the land was called Bhārata, for here heaven, liberation, and even the middle state were known. Nowhere else on earth was the rite of action prescribed for mortals. Lomaharṣaṇa invited the sages to listen to the nine divisions of this land: Indradvīpa, Kaśeru, Tāmraparṇa, Gabhastimān, Nāgadvīpa, Saumya, Gandharva, Vāruṇa, and the ninth, an island surrounded by the ocean. This island stretched a thousand yojanas from south to north, extending from Kumārī to the source of the Gaṅgā, and its width from side to side was ten thousand. Its borders were inhabited by foreigners: Yavanas and Kiratas dwelled at the eastern and western ends. In the middle, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas were settled, with Shudras in portions, engaged in worship, trade, and other occupations. Their mutual dealings and livelihoods were conducted according to dharma, wealth, and desire, each fulfilling their own duties. The fivefold order of life-stages was observed as prescribed, directing human activity toward heaven and liberation. Thus, the sages listened with reverence as the tale of Bhārata and its peoples unfolded, guided by the wisdom of Lomaharṣaṇa.