Listen, then, to the ancient description of the human realm known as Tiryagyama, a great island upon which, if a person were to gain mastery over its entirety, he would be celebrated as a universal emperor. This world, indeed, is called the domain of such a ruler, and those who conquer the intermediate spaces are remembered as victorious even in the sky. The realm of the self-ruler, with its unique qualities, shall be explained again in detail elsewhere. In this vast land, there rise seven illustrious family mountains: Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Shuktiman, and Rikshavan. Along with these, Vindhya and Pariyatra stand prominent, surrounded by a multitude of other mountains—some renowned, some immense with countless peaks, and others more modest, home to smaller communities. Scattered among these mountains dwell the peoples of the land: Aryas and foreigners intermingle everywhere. Through these regions flow many sacred rivers: the Ganga, Sindhu, and Sarasvati; the Shatadru, Chandrabhaga, Yamuna, Sarayu, Airavati, Vitasta, Vishala, Devika, and Kuhu; as well as Gomati, Dhautapapa, Bahuda, Drishadvati, and the third, Kaushiki, together with the steadfast Gandaki. From the sides of the Himalaya spring the Ikshur and Lauhita rivers, joined by Vedasmrti, Vetravati, Vritraghni, Sindhura, Parnasha, Narmada, and the great Kaveri. The Pariyatra mountains give rise to Para, Dhanvati, Vidusha, Venumati, Shipra, Avanti, and Kunti. Other rivers—Shona, Mahanada, Nandana, Sukrisha, Kshama, Mandakini, Dasharna, Chitrakuta, Tamasa, Pippali, Shyeni, and Chitrotpala—flow through the land. From Rishyamukha mountain arise Vimala, Chanchala, Dhutavahini, Shuktimanti, Shuni, Lajja, Mukuta, and Hradika—pure and auspicious streams. The rivers Tapi, Payoshni, Nirvindhya, Kshipra, Rishabha, Vena, Vaitarani, Vishvamala, and Kumudvati also wend their way across the terrain. At the foot of Vindhya, the cold, sacred waters of Toya, Mahagauri, Durgama, and Shila emerge. In the southern region, the Sahya mountains give birth to the Godavari, Bhimarathi, Krishnaveni, Vanjula, Tungabhadra, Suprayoga, Vahya, and Kaveri. From the Malaya mountains flow the pure and cooling Krtamala, Tamraparni, Pushpaja, and Utpalavati. The Mahendra mountains are the source of Tribaga, Rishikulya, Ikshuda, Tridivachala, Tamraparni, Muli, Sharava, Vimala, and other famed rivers, known as the daughters of Mahendra. The Shuktimanta mountains are honored as the birthplace of rivers such as Kashika, Sukumari, Mandaga, Mandavahini, Kripa, and Pashini. All these rivers are sacred, auspicious, and flow in all directions, ultimately merging with the ocean. They are revered as the mothers of the world, purifying and destroying all sins. Their tributaries and streams number in the hundreds and thousands. Along their banks and in the fertile lands they nourish dwell the Kurus, Panchalas, Shalvas, and the people of the Jangala region; Shurasenas, Bhadrakaras, Bahyas, Sahapataccaras, Matsyas, Kiratas, Kulyas, Kuntalas, Kashis, and Kosalas. The Avantas, Kalingas, Mukas, Andhakas, and the people of the central regions also reside here. Beyond the Sahya mountains lies the Godavari river, and this region is renowned for its beauty and delight. Here, too, are the sacred mountains Govardhana, Mandara, and Gandhamadana, graced with celestial trees and divine herbs brought for the pleasure of Rama. The sage Bharadvaja, out of love, brought these wondrous plants, adorning the land with splendid flowers and making it a place of delight. The Vahlikas, Vatadhanas, Abhiras, Kalatoyakas, Puramdhra, Shudras, Pallavas, and Attakhandikas dwell in these lands, as do the Gandharas, Yavanas, Sindhus, Sauvira, Madrakas, Shakas, Druhyas, Pulindas, Paradas, and Aramurtikas. The Ramathas, Kantakaras, Kaikeyas, Dashanamakas, settlements of Kshatriyas, as well as Vaisyas and Shudra families, are also found here. Among the northern peoples are the Atrayas, Bharadvajas, Prasthalas, Sadaserakas, Lampakas, Talaganas, and soldiers alongside the Jangalas. In the east reside the Angas, Vangas, Madgurakas, those within and beyond the mountains, Plavangas, Matangas, Yamakas, Mallavarnakas, Suhmottaras, Pravijayas, Margavas, and Geyamalavas. The Pragyotishas, Pundras, Videhas, Tamraliptakas, Shalvas, Magadhas, and Gonardas are also counted among the eastern peoples. To the south live the Pandyas, Keralas, Colas, and Kulyas, along with the Setukas, Sutikas, Kupathas, Vajivasikas, Navarashtras, Mahishikas, and all the Kalingas. The Karushas, Aishikas, Atavyas, Shabaras, Pulindas, Vindhyapushikas, Vaidarbhas, and Dandakas inhabit these regions as well. The Kuliya and Sirala peoples, the Rupasas, the Tapasas, and all the Taittirikas and Karaskaras are found here, as are the Vasikyas and others, and those who dwell between the Narmada rivers, the Bharukacchas, Samaheyas, and Sarasvatas. In the west live the Kacchikas, Saurashtras, Anartas, and Arbudas. Upon the slopes of the Vindhya mountains dwell the Malavas, Karushas, Mekalas, Utkalas, Aundras, Mashas, Dasharnas, Bhojas, and Kishkindhakas. The Stoshalas, Kosalas, Tripuras, Vaidishas, Tumuras, Tumbaras, Padgamas, and Naishadhas also make their homes here. The Arupas, Shaundikeras, Vitihotras, and Avantis are renowned among those who dwell along the Vindhya’s slopes. Thus is this great land described, with its mighty mountains, sacred rivers, and the many peoples who inhabit its varied regions, each contributing to the rich tapestry of the world under the gaze of the universal emperor.