North of the Śveta mountains, on the southern slope of the majestic Śṛṅga, lies a land known as Hiraṇvata, through which the sacred river Hairaṇvatī flows. This is a wondrous region, inhabited by men of great strength and spirit, who are ever cheerful and noble in lineage, pleasing to behold in every way. Their lives are long and blessed—they dwell in this land for eleven thousand one hundred and fifty years. In Hiraṇvata grows a magnificent lakuca tree, whose broad leaves provide shelter and whose fruit yields a nourishing juice. By drinking this juice, the people there sustain their remarkable longevity. The mountain called Śṛṅgasāhvā stands nearby, with three great peaks: one adorned with sparkling jewels, another gleaming with gold, and the third composed of all precious stones, shining resplendently among the worlds. To the north of this Śṛṅga, and at its southern edge by the sea, lies the region of the Kurus, a sacred land frequented by the perfected beings. Here, trees bear honeyed fruit, and streams flow with nectar-like sweetness. Garments and ornaments are produced from the very fruits of these trees. Some trees are wish-fulfilling, granting every desire, while others—called milk-trees—continually yield milk of six flavors, as sweet as nectar, to those who care for them. The ground throughout this land is made of jewels, interspersed with fine golden sand. It is pleasing to the touch, and auspicious, silent breezes gently blow. In this sacred place, humans are born who have fallen from the world of the gods, all of pure lineage and perpetual youth. Couples are born together, the women as beautiful as apsarases. They drink the nectar-like milk from the milk-trees. Each day, a pair is born; they grow together in equal measure, sharing form and character, and even depart this world at the same time. Each is devoted to only one partner, like the faithful chakravāka birds. They are free from illness and sorrow, their minds ever joyful. These great beings live for ten thousand and one hundred years, and no other woman enters their lives. Such is the nature of the years in the Bhārata Yuga, as known to those who understand the highest dharma. What more can be said? Thus, the wise son of Sūta spoke these things to the assembled sages. Yet, desiring to hear more of the northern recitation, the sages again questioned the son of Sūta. In response, Lomaharṣaṇa, the Purāṇika, addressed the purified sages. Having reflected deeply and considered the matter from all sides, he began to relate the northern recitation once more. He spoke: “Now I shall describe the peoples of this land of Bhārata. Because Manu bore and begot the generations here, he is called Bharata, and by this etymology, the land itself is Bhārata. It is here that heaven, liberation, and even the middle state are realized—nowhere else on earth is the rite of action prescribed for mortals. Listen, then, to the nine divisions of Bhārata: Indradvīpa, Kaśeru, Tāmraparṇa, Gabhastimān, Nāgadvīpa, Saumya, Gandharva, Vāruṇa, and the ninth—this very island, surrounded by the ocean. This island stretches a thousand yojanas from south to north, from Kumārī to the source of the Gaṅgā, and its width is ten thousand yojanas. At the borders dwell foreigners: Yavanas and Kiratas live at the eastern and western ends. In the middle are settled Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas, while Shudras occupy other portions, all engaged in worship, trade, and their respective duties. Their lives and interactions are guided by dharma, wealth, and desire, each according to their station. The fivefold order of life-stages is observed here, with all human activity directed toward heaven and liberation. This human island is also called Tiryagyama; whoever conquers it entirely is known as a universal emperor. This world is called the realm of the universal emperor, while those who conquer the intermediate space are remembered as conquerors of the sky. The realm of the self-ruler will be described in detail again. Within this great land rise seven renowned family mountains: Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Shuktiman, Rikshavan, Vindhya, and Pariyatra. Thousands of other mountains are found nearby—some well-known, some vast with varied peaks, others smaller, supporting smaller settlements. Among these mountains, the peoples of the land dwell—Aryas and foreigners alike—and many rivers flow abundantly: the Ganga, Sindhu, Sarasvati, Shatadru, Chandrabhaga, Yamuna, Sarayu, Airavati, Vitasta, Vishala, Devika, and Kuhu. There are also Gomati, Dhautapapa, Bahuda, Drishadvati, the third called Kaushiki, and the unmoving Gandaki. From the side of the Himalaya arise Ikshur and Lauhita, as well as Vedasmrti, Vetravati, Vritra-ghni, Sindhura, Parnasha, Narmada, and the great Kaveri. Para, Dhanvati, Vidusha, Venumati, Shipra, Avanti, and Kunti are remembered as rivers associated with Pariyatra. Thus did Lomaharṣaṇa, the wise and eloquent, describe the sacred geography and blessed peoples of Bhārata to the sages, revealing the marvels and order of this divine land.