The wind, whose might is tenfold that of fire, upholds the radiant element, enveloping and sustaining all the elements in its ceaseless circular and transverse motion. Yet, space itself exceeds wind by ten times, supporting the elements as their unseen foundation. Beyond even space lies the primal element, which upholds space and is itself ten times greater. Above all, the great elements, surpassing the primal element, sustain the world, while the principle of greatness is itself supported by the infinite, the unmanifest source of all. Through the interplay of support and that which is supported, the modifications of earth and the other elements arise, each defined by the limits of the others. These elements are mutually superior, interpenetrating and sustaining one another, so that from their interdependence, stability is achieved. Where there is no distinction, unity remains; distinctions arise only from their mutual interpenetration. Earth and the other elements, up to wind, are each bounded in their own realms. Beyond these elements, everywhere, lies utter darkness, remembered as the region where the elements do not reach. In the same way, light in space is bounded, like smaller vessels contained within a larger one. Though lacking one another, these elements rest upon each other, so that light in space is found divided—some within, some without. Each of these principles has been created, one greater than the next; as long as these principles endure, so does creation itself. Within the elements, the formation of beings takes place; without them, no effects or manifestations can arise. Thus, the divisions that are remembered are effects, while the divisions of the great principle and others are causes. In this way, the arrangement of the earth—divided into the seven continents and oceans—has been described truthfully. By their expanse, circular form, and enumeration, the universal form of Pradhāna and the measure of its particular portion are revealed. Thus, the arrangement has been properly explained; only this much is to be heard regarding the order of the world. Now, let me describe the course of the sun and the moon, and the extent of their light. Their light shines over the seven island-continents and oceans, and over the continents themselves; beyond this, half the earth’s expanse is said to remain. The sun and the moon reveal the measure of their circuit, and the wise know that the circuit and extent of the heavens are equal to theirs. The sun, through its radiance, swiftly traverses the three worlds without pause; because of its light and its movement, it is called Ravi. Again and again, I declare the measures of the moon and sun, for their greatness gives rise to the very word ‘great’ in this context. The disk of the sun is as wide as the diameter of this land of Bharata; its width is nine thousand yojanas, and its circumference is three times that. The moon’s disk is twice as large as the sun’s in both diameter and size. Now, let me again declare the measure of the earth in yojanas. The expanse of the seven island-continents and oceans has been enumerated in the Purāṇa. I will now state that enumeration, as reckoned by those renowned for their knowledge—those of the past and those of the present, equal in wisdom. The gods and antigods of earlier times were known only by their forms and names; thus, I describe the surface of the earth according to the present gods, for the divine arrangement now follows the present order. The total expanse of the earth is said to be one hundred and fifty million. Half that measure is ascribed to Meru; each direction from the center of Meru is reckoned as one crore. Likewise, ninety-nine hundred thousand and fifty thousand is the expanse of half the earth. Hear now the measure of the earth’s expanse in yojanas: three crores are counted in each of the four directions. Likewise, seventy-nine hundred thousand is given as the expanse of the earth with its seven island-continents and oceans. The inner disk of the earth is three times as wide, reckoned as eleven crores of yojanas. Thus, they are one hundred thousand and thirty-seven in number; this is the reckoning of the inner circle of the earth. The extent of the arrangement of the constellations in the sky matches the arrangement of the earth when fully encompassed. The measure of the circuit of the earth is considered equal to that of the sky, at the summit of Mount Mānasa in the eastern direction of Meru. In that region, Mahendra’s city stands—uniform, auspicious, and adorned with gold—south of Meru and behind Mānasa. Vaivasvata Yama dwells in the city of restraint, while on the western side of Meru, at the summit of Mānasa, lies Suṣā, the delightful city of the wise Varuṇa. On the northern side, at the summit of Mānasa, is Vibhāvarī, the city of Soma, equal to Mahendra’s city. Around Mānasa, in the four directions, the guardians of the worlds are stationed for the establishment of righteousness and the protection of all realms. Above these guardians, everywhere in the southern course, their presence is remembered, upholding the order of the cosmos.