Beyond the lands already described, there stands a remarkable mountain known as Śālmalā, adorned with a garland of jewels. This mountain acts as a great divider, and beyond it rises the splendid silver mountain called Astu. This place is also known as Somaka, a site of ancient glory, where, long ago, the gods themselves assembled. With the help of the mighty Garuḍa, they gathered to partake of amṛta, the nectar of immortality, for the sake of their revered mother. Further on lies the mountain called Āmbikeya, also celebrated as Sumanā. This is the sacred ground where the fierce demon Hiraṇyākṣa met his end at the hands of the divine Boar incarnation of Viṣṇu. Beyond Āmbikeya rises Vibhrāja, a radiant and splendid mountain, shining with all manner of medicinal herbs. This is the great mountain of crystal, from which fire shines forth, giving it the name Vibhrāja. It is also called Keśava, for from its heights the wind blows across the land. Now, O best of the twice-born, listen as I describe the regions of these mountains and their names in proper order. Each region is named after its mountain, just as the mountains themselves bear these names. Thus, the region of Udaya is called Udaya, and that of Jaladhāra is well known by the same name. The first region is named Gatabhaya, while the second, belonging to Jaladhāra, is remembered as Sukumāra. Next comes the region called Śaiśira; and the region of Nārada is known as Kaumāra, also called Sukhodaya. The region of Śyāma mountain is called Anīcaka, which the sages have also declared to be the auspicious Ānandaka. The region of Somaka, celebrated for its abundance of flowers, is also known as Asita, and is referred to as Somaka itself. The region of Ambika is called Mainaka and Kṣemaka, for it was created by her. The mountain Kesara is remembered as Mahādruma, which is also called Dhava, and this region is named Vibhrāja. The measurements—circumference, length, and breadth—of this island are reckoned by the standards of Jambūdvīpa, and at its center stands a great and wondrous tree. This is the great Śāka tree, with which the people of this land are closely associated. Among them dwell gods, gandharvas, siddhas, and the cāraṇas, who roam freely and delight together in this blessed place. Here, communities flourish, endowed with all four social classes. Within these regions flow seven sacred rivers, each journeying toward the ocean. Each river is known by two names, and together they are remembered as the sevenfold Gaṅgā. The first of these is called Sukumārī, auspicious and bearing Śiva’s sacred waters, and she is also known as Munitaptā. The second is also named Sukumārī, accomplished in austerity, while the third, Nandā, is renowned as a purifier. Śibikā is the fourth, remembered in two ways; Ikṣu is the fifth, also called Kuhū. The sixth is known as both Veṇukā and Amṛtā, and the seventh is Sukṛtā, also called Gabhastī. These seven blessed rivers, filled with Śiva’s waters, nourish all the inhabitants of Śākadvīpa each year. Beyond these, many other rivers, streams, and lakes, abundant in water, grace the land, wherever Indra causes rain to fall. The names and measurements of these sacred rivers are too numerous to fully recount. The people of these regions, always joyful, drink from these pure waters. They live in peace and fearlessness, truly blessed in their existence. These lands, known as seven, are renowned for happiness, comfort, and security, and they are established with the practices of the four social classes and the four stages of life. All the people here are healthy and strong, untouched by death, free from both decline and increase. There is no division of time into ages as seen elsewhere; time flows as it did in the Tretā Yuga. In Śākadvīpa and the other five islands, time is regarded according to the nature of each region. Among these people, there has never been confusion of caste or stage of life, nor any deviation from righteousness. They enjoy unbroken happiness, untouched by illusion, greed, envy, malice, or fear. There is no reversal of their true nature; such is their innate condition. For them, there is neither the passage of time nor any need for punishment or a punisher. Knowing righteousness, they protect one another by fulfilling their proper duties. Beyond these lands lies the great circular continent called Kuśa, surrounded by rivers, waters, and mountains that resemble clouds. Kuśa is adorned with all kinds of minerals, decorated with jewels and coral, and filled with delightful regions of varied and beautiful shapes. Everywhere, trees bearing flowers and fruits abound, and the land is ever prosperous, covered with flowers and precious gems. Encircling Kuśa are all kinds of animals, both domestic and wild. Now, listen as I briefly describe the Kuśa continent. This third continent, Kuśa, is entirely surrounded by the ocean of milk and is twice as large as the Śāka continent. Here, too, are seven mountains, renowned as sources of jewels. These jewel-bearing mountains and rivers, like those in Śāka, are each known by two names. The first mountain, shining like the sun, is called Kumuda and also Vidrumoccaya. The second, famed as Unnata, has peaks of all metals and is covered with masses of rock. Thus, the sacred geography unfolds: mountains and rivers, trees and lands, all imbued with divine qualities and blessed inhabitants, each region a world of its own, radiant with prosperity, virtue, and joy.