Let me tell you of the wondrous structure of the world as described by the ancient sages. There exists an island, perfectly round like the rim of a wheel, entirely encircled by the vast Suroda Ocean—a sea that is twice the size of the island it surrounds. Beyond this, let me describe to you the sixth island, Gomedaka, O seekers of truth. The Suroda Ocean itself is encircled by this Gomedaka, whose expanse is twice that of the Śālmala island. Within Gomedaka rise two remarkable mountains: the first is Sumanā, a natural formation of collyrium, and the second is Kumuda, a mountain filled with every kind of medicinal herb. This land is dazzling, for Kumuda is made of pure gold and greatly revered. Gomedaka, in turn, is surrounded by an ocean of sweet water, twice the size of Suroda. Upon Gomedaka dwell the vast mountains Dhātakī and Kumuda, the noble sons of Havya. The first region of this island is called Saumana, known as the Dhātakī section, remembered as belonging to the Dhātakī. The region called Gomeda is all-blissful, and after the second, Kumuda, comes the second region bearing the same name. Both Sumanā and Kumuda mountains are round, while the other mountains of the island rise loftily. Sumanā stands to the east, its base stretching from east to west, reaching all the way to the ocean’s edge. In the western half, Kumuda stands in a similar manner. These mountain bases divide the region into two parts: the southern half of the continent is called Dhātakīkhanda, while Kumuda forms the excellent northern region. Thus, these two populous areas make up the expanse of Gomeda. Now, let me speak of the seventh and most excellent continent. Its encircling ocean is filled with sugarcane juice and is twice the size of the ocean around Gomedaka. Surrounding this ocean stands the continent of Puṣkara, itself encircled by beautiful lotus flowers. Within Puṣkara rises the splendid mountain Citrasānu, a magnificent and colorful peak adorned with gems, its flanks formed from networks of stone. Citrasānu dominates the eastern half of Puṣkara, spreading over twenty-seven thousand circular leagues, and rising upward for twenty-four yojanas, a mountain of great strength. In the western half of Puṣkara stands the mountain Mānasa, enclosed near the shore and rising resplendently like the full moon. Mānasa soars to a height of fifty-one and a half thousand yojanas. Its son, Mahāvīta, serves as guardian of the western half. The eastern half of the mountain divides that region further, and Puṣkara is surrounded by yet another ocean of sweet water, twice the size of the one around Gomeda. In these regions, humans enjoy a lifespan of thirty thousand years, and their state is naturally free from decline. They possess perfect health, abundant happiness, and attain mental perfection. Throughout the three continents, happiness, longevity, and beauty prevail equally; there are no distinctions of superiority or inferiority, for all are equal in strength and appearance. There is no killing or being killed, no envy, jealousy, or fear; greed, deceit, hatred, and possessiveness are unknown. Truth and falsehood, righteousness and unrighteousness do not exist among them; nor do the divisions of caste, stages of life, nor the occupations of herding, trade, or agriculture. The threefold Veda, the science of punishment, service, and punishment itself are absent. There is neither rain, rivers, nor extremes of cold and heat. Instead, springs and waters arise from the mountains, and time there is always as it is in the land of Uttarakuru—ever pleasant and free from the distress of old age. Creation occurs in Dhātakīkhanda and likewise in Mahāvīta. Thus, the seven continents are each surrounded by seven oceans, and each ocean is always similar to the continent it embraces. In this way, the mutual increase of islands and oceans should be understood. The waters flow from one ocean to another, and thus the term 'samudra'—ocean—is used. In these regions, the seasons are as the sages have declared, and four kinds of beings reside there. The seasons are delightful, and the rains fall as described by the wise. When the moon rises in the east, the ocean is always filled to the brim; when the moon wanes or sets, the ocean’s waters decrease greatly. As the ocean fills, it replenishes itself; and when it diminishes, the loss of water is also from within itself. Just as the waters blossom at the rising of the moon, so too does the ocean swell under the moon’s rays. The waters never increase or decrease beyond their measure; they swell and shrink only with the waxing and waning of the moon, during the bright and dark fortnights. The increase and decrease of the ocean correspond exactly to the moon’s phases, amounting to one hundred and fifteen aṅgulas in measure. The waxing and waning of the ocean’s waters are observed at each lunar phase. Because each island is surrounded twice, it is called 'dvīpa' (island), and because it holds water, the ocean is called 'udadhi.' The mountains are called 'girayaḥ' because they are swallowed, and 'parvataḥ' (ranges) because they are bound together. Each continent is marked by its own special feature: in Śākadvīpa, the mountain Śāka gives its name; in Kuśadvīpa, a clump of kuśa grass stands at the center; in Krauñcadvīpa, the mountain Krauñca is so named; in Śālmaladvīpa, the great and revered Śālmalī tree is found; and on Gomeda, the mountain Gomeda stands as its namesake. On Puṣkaradvīpa, there is the sacred banyan tree known as Padmavat, honored by the great gods. It is regarded as a portion of Brahmā himself, born from the unmanifest. Thus is the grand arrangement of continents, oceans, mountains, and sacred trees, as revealed by the ancient wisdom.