Now, let me recount the nature of the peoples and lands within Bhārata, the sacred realm named for Manu, who is called Bharata because of his role in bearing and begetting all humanity. This land is known as Bhārata not by chance, but because here alone are found the knowledge and pursuit of heaven, liberation, and the intermediate state—the paths of destiny for all souls. Nowhere else on earth is the rite of action, the discipline of karma, prescribed for mortals as it is here. Listen, then, to the nine divisions of this land of Bhārata: Indradvīpa, Kaśeru, Tāmraparṇa, Gabhastimān, Nāgadvīpa, Saumya, Gandharva, Vāruṇa, and the ninth, this very island, which is encircled by the vast ocean. This island stretches a thousand yojanas from south to north, extending from Kumārī in the south up to the source of the sacred Gaṅgā in the north, and its width spans ten thousand yojanas from side to side. At the edges of this island dwell foreigners: the Yavanas and Kiratas reside at the eastern and western extremities. But at the heart of the land, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas are established, with Shudras in their own portions, each engaged in their respective duties—worship, trade, and other occupations. Their ways of life and mutual dealings are governed by the principles of dharma, the pursuit of wealth, and desire, each according to their own station. Here, the fivefold order of life-stages is observed as prescribed, directing all human activity toward the ultimate goals of heaven and liberation. This human-inhabited island is also known as Tiryagyama, and whoever conquers it in its entirety is called a universal emperor, a sovereign among men. Such a 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 again in detail. Within this great land rise seven renowned family mountains: Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Shuktiman, Rikshavan, Vindhya, and Pariyatra. Around these are found thousands of other mountains—some famous, some vast with many peaks, and others smaller, supporting modest settlements. Among these mountains live the peoples of the land, Aryas and foreigners alike, and the land is blessed with many abundant rivers: the Ganga, Sindhu, and Sarasvati. There are also the Shatadru, Chandrabhaga, Yamuna, Sarayu, Airavati, Vitasta, Vishala, Devika, and Kuhu; the Gomati, Dhautapapa, Bahuda, Drishadvati, and the third, Kaushiki, as well as the steady Gandaki. Ikshur and Lauhita flow from the side of the Himalaya, along with Vedasmrti, Vetravati, Vritra-ghni, Sindhura, Parnasha, Narmada, and the great Kaveri. Rivers such as Para, Dhanvati, Vidusha, Venumati, Shipra, Avanti, and Kunti are associated with Pariyatra. There are also the Shona, Mahanada, Nandana, Sukrisha, Kshama, Mandakini, Dasharna, Chitrakuta, Tamasa, Pippali, Shyeni, and Chitrotpala. From Rishyamukha arise the pure and auspicious Vimala, Chanchala, Dhutavahini, Shuktimanti, Shuni, Lajja, Mukuta, and Hradika. The rivers Tapi, Payoshni, Nirvindhya, Kshipra, Rishabha, Vena, Vaitarani, Vishvamala, and Kumudvati flow from other mountains. At the foot of Vindhya spring the rivers Toya, Mahagauri, Durgama, and Shila—all with cold, auspicious waters. In the southern region, the Godāvarī, Bhīmarathī, Kṛṣṇaveṇī, Vañjulā, Tuṅgabhadrā, Suprayogā, Vāhyā, and Kāverī all arise from the slopes of the Sahya mountains. From the Malaya mountains flow the pure and cool Kṛtamālā, Tāmraparṇī, Puṣpajā, and Utpalāvatī. There are also the Tribāgā, Ṛṣikulyā, Ikṣudā, Tridivācalā, Tāmraparṇī, Mūlī, Śaravā, Vimalā, and the daughters of Mahendra, all renowned and auspicious rivers. The daughters of Śuktimanta—Kāśikā, Sukumārī, Mandagā, Mandavāhinī, Kṛpā, and Pāśinī—also flow here. All these rivers are sacred, auspicious, and flow everywhere, ultimately reaching the ocean; they are the mothers of the world, purifying and destroying all sins. Their tributaries and streams number in the hundreds and thousands. Among these rivers dwell many peoples: the Kurus, Pāñcālas, Śālvas, and those of the Jāṅgala region; the Śūrasenas, Bhadrakāras, Bāhyas, Sahapaṭaccaras, Matsyas, Kirātas, Kulyas, Kuntalas, Kāśis, and Kośalas. There are the Āvantas, Kaliṅgas, Mūkas, the Andhakas, and the peoples of the central region. Beyond the Sahya mountains flows the Godāvarī river, and this region is delightful above all others on earth. Here are found the Govardhana, Mandara, and Gandhamādana mountains, as well as heavenly trees and divine herbs brought for the pleasure of Rāma. The sage Bharadvāja, out of love for his beloved, brought these down, making the region adorned with excellent flowers and a place of delight. In these lands dwell the Vāhlikas, Vāṭadhānas, Ābhīras, Kālatoyakas, Puraṃdhras, Śūdras, Pallavas, and Attakhaṇḍikas. The Gāndhāras, Yavanas, Sindhus, Sauvīras, Madrakas, Śakas, Druhyas, Pulindas, Pāradas, and Āramūrtikas are also found here. There are Rāmaṭhas, Kaṇṭakāras, Kaikeyas, Daśanāmakas, and settlements of Kṣatriyas, along with families of Vaiśyas and Śūdras. The Atrayas, Bharadvājas, Prasthalas, Sadaserakas, Lampakas, Talagānas, and soldiers together with the Jāṅgalas inhabit the northern regions. Now, turn your attention to the east, where dwell the Aṅgas, Vaṅgas, Madgurakas, those within and beyond the mountains, Plavaṃgas, Mātaṃgas, Yamakas, Mallavarṇakas, Suhmottaras, Pravijayas, Mārgavas, and Geyamālavās. Thus is the land of Bhārata, with its mountains, rivers, and peoples, a place of sacred order and abundant life, unique in all the world.