Across the vast lands and rivers of Bhārata, many peoples dwell, each nourished by the sacred waters that course through their territories. The Cakṣus river, after flooding the lands of the Daradas, Urjagus, Gāndhāras, Aurasas, and Kuhus, reaches the ocean. Likewise, the Śivapauras, Indramarus, Vasatīs of equal energy, Saindhavas, Urvasas, Barbas, Kupathas, Bhīmas, and Romakas are all touched by these waters. The Śunāmukhas, Urdhamarus, and those sustained by the Sindhu river, along with Gandharvas, Kinnaras, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, Vidyādharas, and Nāgas, are also among those who benefit from these riverine blessings. Further, the Kalāpagāmakas, Kimpuruṣas, men, Kirātas, Pulindas, Kurus, and Bhāratas, as well as the Pāñcālas, Kauśikas, Matsyas, Māgadhas, Aṅgas, Brahmottaras, Vaṅgas, and Tāmraliṭṭas, are all noble peoples sustained by the auspicious Gaṅgā. When Gaṅgā, blocked by the Vindhya mountains, turned, she entered the southern ocean. Then, flowing eastward, she flooded the surrounding lands, including those of the Nishadas. She inundated the fishermen, Rishikas, Nalimukhas, Kekaras, Ekarna people, and Kiratas, sweeping over the Kalanjaras, Vikarnas, Kushikas, and those dwelling in both heavenly and earthly realms, encircling the ocean and reaching all shores. The river Nalinī, too, journeyed east, flooding impassable paths and even the lakes of Indradyumna. She inundated harsh regions, the paths of Vetra and Shanku, and, passing through Ujjāna and the Kamarus, reached lands covered with Kutha grass. Near the island of Indra, Nalinī entered the salt ocean, and then the river Pāvanī swiftly proceeded eastward. Pāvanī flooded the Tomaras and the paths of swans, traversed eastern lands, broke through mountains, and reached the Karna-prāvaraṇa and the Ashvamukhas. Having watered Mount Meru and reached the Vidyādharas, Pāvanī entered the great lake in the region of Shaimi. Hundreds and thousands of other rivers and streams join these mighty rivers, and from them, Indra causes the rain to fall. On the bank of the Vaṃśaukasā river lies a forest named Surabhi, where Hiraṇyaśṛṅga, son of Kubera, wise and self-controlled, resides. He, mighty and valorous, having renounced sacrifice, is surrounded by Agastya and other learned Brahmarakshasas. These four are Kubera’s attendants, dwelling with him; thus, the attainment of those who reside upon the mountain is understood. Among them, merit, desire, and wealth are doubled by their mutual association. On the summit of Hemakūṭa, that lake is known as the abode of serpents. From there flows the Sarasvatī, called Jyotiṣmatī, which lies between the eastern and western oceans. On the lofty mountain Niṣadha is the lake Viṣṇupada, from which the Gandharvas’ favorite river arises. From the side of Meru comes the great lake Candraprabha, and the sacred river Jambū, where the gold called Jāmbūnada is found. The lake Payoda is blue, pure, and filled with lotuses; from Puṇḍarīka and Payoda, two rivers are born. This lake is called Uttaramānasa, and from it arise the rivers Mṛgyā and Mṛgakāntā. The lakes in the land of the Kurus are renowned, teeming with lotuses and fish; they are called Jayā, twelve in number, and resemble oceans. From them arise two rivers, Śāntī and Madhvī. Among the eight regions beginning with Kimpuruṣa, the gods do not send rain; instead, springs and waters emerge, and noble rivers flow: Balāhaka, Ṛṣabha, Cakra, and Maināka. Great mountains are firmly set in every direction, immersed in the salty ocean: Candrakānta, Droṇa, and Sumahān. In the north, mountains rise up, plunging into the great ocean: Cakra, Badhiraka, and Nārada. Those stretched toward the west reach the ocean: Jīmūta, Drāvaṇa, Maināka, and Candraparvata. These mountains extend toward the southern sea, standing in the sky between Cakra and Maināka along the southern path. There, the fire called Saṃvartaka drinks up the water; the fire dwelling in the ocean is Aurva, known as Vadavāmukha. Thus, these four mountains are situated in the salty ocean, their immersion seen during the waxing and waning of the moon, as once occurred out of fear of Indra when the lunar phases were being cut. These are the divisions of Bhārata’s region, as described. Some features are seen here, others elsewhere, and in each, rainfall increases progressively with their qualities. In those regions, beings are endowed, in portions, with health, lifespan, righteousness, desire, and wealth. Various kinds of creatures dwell in all these regions, sustaining and establishing the whole world, this earth. Now, I shall explain the certainty regarding Śākadvīpa. Listen, O best of twice-born, as I describe Śākadvīpa. Its expanse is twice that of Jambūdvīpa, and its circumference is three times the expanse. The salty ocean is encircled by this island. There, the people are virtuous, and death comes to them only after a long time.