In the sacred realm surrounding Mount Kailāsa, many wondrous mountains and divine lakes adorn the landscape. There stands the splendid Suvela mountain, composed of all metals, its brilliance unmatched. Facing it is Chandraprabha, a mountain shining white like a radiant jewel. Nearby lies the renowned divine lake Acchoda, from which flows the pure and auspicious river Acchodakā, blessing the land with its sacred waters. On the banks of Acchoda, the divine and great forest Caitraratha flourishes, and upon the mountain dwells Maṇibhadra, the mighty leader of the Yakṣas, surrounded by his loyal Guhyakas. The fierce commander resides there, and the holy river Mandākinī, with its pure waters, flows through the region. At the center of the earth’s circle, where the great ocean enters, and southeast of Kailāsa, rises the mountain Śiva, abundant with all manner of herbs. Again, the splendid Suvela mountain appears, this time made of cinnabar, and facing it is Sūryaprabha, a great mountain glowing red with golden peaks. At its foot lies a divine red lake, from which the holy and mighty river Lauhitya springs forth. On the banks of this lake is a sorrowless, great woodland—a divine forest—where the Yakṣa Maṇidhara, self-controlled and virtuous, resides. He is surrounded by gentle and noble Guhyakas. To the northwest of Kailāsa stands Kakudman, a mountain rich in herbs. There, Rudra originated and Kakudmin was born. Nearby are the mountain Añjana and the three-peaked Trikakuda. A radiant mountain, composed of all elements and shining like lightning, rises there. At its foot lies the vast and divine Mānasa lake, frequented by perfected beings. From Mānasa emerges the sacred Sarayū river, purifier of worlds, and on its bank is the renowned divine forest Vaibhrāja. Here dwells Brahmadhātā, a mighty and self-controlled Rākṣasa, son of Prahetita and attendant of Kubera, possessing boundless power. To the west of Kailāsa is the divine mountain Varuṇa, richest in herbs and adorned with veins of gold, beloved of Bhava and resplendent like pure gold. Its peaks blaze golden, as if piercing the sky, and there stands the formidable and lofty mountain Śṛṅgavān. Upon this mountain resides Dhūmralohita, lord of mountains, and at its foot lies the lake Śailoda. From Śailoda flows the sacred river Śailodakā, and the river Cakṣuṣī, entering between them, proceeds to the western ocean. North of Kailāsa rises the sacred mountain Sarvauṣadha, and facing it is a foremost mountain, white and made of orpiment. There stands the great and divine Hiraṇyaśṛṅga, rich in wondrous herbs, and at its foot lies a vast lake with golden sands. Among these lakes is the delightful Bindusara, where King Bhagiratha, seeking the Ganges, dwelled for many years in penance. The ancestors of Bhagiratha, whose bones were washed by the waters of the Ganges, attained heaven. Here, the goddess Tripathagā—Gaṅgā—first descended to earth. From the foot of Soma, she was born, dividing herself into seven streams. The land is adorned with sacrificial posts of jewels and celestial palaces of gold. Here, Indra performed sacrifices and attained perfection alongside the hosts of gods. The radiant path of shadows and the circle of stars are seen here. At night, the radiant goddess Tripathagā is visible, traversing the sky and heaven before descending to earth. She fell upon the highest part of Bhava, restrained by the power of yoga, but some drops, falling in anger, reached the earth. Those drops formed many lakes, and thus the region is called Bindusara. When Bhava’s wrath suddenly checked her descent, knowing her intent and harsh purpose, Bhagiratha broke through and entered the netherworld, carrying Śaṅkara with the current. Perceiving her arrogance, Śaṃkara became angry and resolved to make the river disappear from his own limbs. At that moment, seeing King Bhagiratha before him—emaciated, his senses disturbed by hunger—Śaṃkara recalled that he had already been satisfied by Bhagiratha’s earlier penance for the sake of the river. Knowing this, he restrained his anger and granted Bhagiratha the boon. Remembering Brahmā’s words, he held the river, then released her, who had been restrained by his own power. For Bhagiratha’s sake, satisfied by his intense austerity, Śaṃkara released Gaṅgā in seven streams. Three flowed eastward, and three westward; thus, the river of three paths divided into seven channels. Nalinī, Hlādinī, and Pāvanī flowed eastward; Sītā, Cakṣu, and Sindhu flowed westward. The seventh, called Anugā, followed Bhagiratha to the south, and thus Bhāgīrathī entered the southern ocean. These seven rivers flood the land called Himāhvaya; the seven auspicious rivers, born from Lake Bindusaras, arose here. They inundated lands inhabited mostly by mlecchas, along with their mountains—Kukuras, Raudhras, Barbaras, Yavanas, and Khasas, as well as the Pulikas, Kulatthas, Aṅgalokyas, and other peoples. Having divided, the river entered the southern ocean through the Himalaya, passing through regions of Vīramarus, Kālikas, Śūlikas, Tukaras, Barbaras, Pahlavas, Pāradas, and Śakas. Thus, the sacred geography of Kailāsa and its surroundings is blessed by divine mountains, holy rivers, and the presence of gods, Yakṣas, and perfected beings, all bearing witness to the descent of Gaṅgā and the fulfillment of Bhagiratha’s quest.