In this sacred land, among the seven chief mountain ranges, the Vindhya and the Pāriyātra are counted as foremost. These mountains are broad and lofty, immense and beautiful, their slopes considered most auspicious. Alongside them stand other mighty ranges: Vātandhama, Vaidyuta, Maināka, and Saras; Ujjāyana, Puṣpagiri, Arbuda, and Raivata; as well as Śrīparvata, Koṅgaṇa, and hundreds more, each a marvel of nature’s grandeur. From the feet of these mountains, the most eminent rivers of the world are born. Listen carefully to their names, for each carries its own sacred story. There is the Śatadru, the Candrikā, the Nīlā, the Vitastā, the Irāvatī, and the Kuhū. Then flow the Gomatī, Dhūtapāpā, Bāhudā, and Sadṛṣadvatī. From the foot of the Himalaya arise the Saru and the mighty Lauhitya. Other rivers, such as Parṇāśā, Nandinī, Pāvanī, and Mahī, bless the land with their waters. The Siprā and Avantī are known to spring from the Pāriyātra range, while Mandākinī, Daśārṇā, and the river descending from Citrakūṭa also flow forth. There are yet others: Pippalaśroṇī, Vipāśā, and Vañjulāvatī, and rivers born from the foot of Ṛkṣa, including Balavāhinī. The Veṇa, Vaitaraṇī, Sinīvāhu, and Kumudvatī, too, find their source in these sacred heights. Especially revered are the rivers arising from the foot of the Vindhya—they are holy, pure, and auspicious. Among them are the Tuṅgabhadrā, Suprayogā, Vāhyā, and the celebrated Kāverī, all great rivers emerging from the foot of the Sahya mountains. Sinī and Sudāmā, and those rivers born from the radiant oyster shell, are also counted among these sacred waters. All these rivers are the mothers of the world, feminine spirits who ultimately unite with the oceans. The auspicious regions of the north and the central lands drink freely from their bounty, nourishing all who dwell there. Within these blessed lands thrive many peoples and creatures: fishes, kusaṭṭa, kuṇikuṇḍala, pāñjālaka, and the women of Kosala. There are the Śaka and Samaśaka, and the people of the central region, as well as the Aparānta, the Śūdras, and the Pahlavas with the Kheṭakas. The Śātadrava, Lalittha, and those like the Pārāvata and Samūṣaka make their home here, as do the Śratriya, Prativaiśya, and the families of Vaiśya and Śūdra. From distant lands come the Chinese and the Tuṣāra, and many outsiders known for their hollow bellies. The Lampaka, Tāvakārāma, Śūlika, and the Taṅgaṇa are also present, together with the Tāmasa, Kramamāsa, Supārśva, and Puṇḍraka. The Māṇḍavya, Mālavīya, and those who dwell along the northern path are counted among these peoples, as are the Pravaṅga, Vāṅgeya, meat-eaters, and Baladantika. Further, there are the Pragjyotiṣa, Śūdra, Videha, and those from Tāmraliṭṭa, as well as the Puṇḍra, Kerala, Cauḍa, Kulya, and even the Rākṣasa. The Mahārāṣṭra, Māhiṣika, and all the Kāliṅga tribes dwell here, along with the Valindhya, Vindhyamauleyā, Vaidarbha, and Daṇḍaka. Among the southern peoples are the Śālakaṭaṅkaṭa, the Puliyas, those marked with blue, ascetics, and those of tamasic nature. The Bharakacchas and Samaheyas, together with the Sarasvatas, are also found in this vast land. The Uttamarṇas, Daśārṇas, Bhojas, and Kiṅkavaras, as well as the Turusas, Tumbaras, Vahanas, and Naiṣadhas, all dwell under the nurturing gaze of these mountains and rivers. Thus, the mountains stand as guardians, and the rivers as mothers, sustaining countless peoples, creatures, and lands—each with their own place in the great tapestry of creation.