In the ancient times, the mighty mountain kings stood majestically, attended by the Siddhas and Charanas. The distance between these noble peaks was spoken of as nine thousand units. At the heart of this grand expanse lay Ilavrita, the central region born from the greatness of Meru. Ilavrita itself stretched nine thousand in every direction, forming the core of the land. Within Ilavrita, at its very center, rose the magnificent Meru, shining like a smokeless fire. Meru’s form was such that half lay to the south and the other half to the north. Surrounding Meru, six regions formed the Varsha mountains, each with its summit prescribed as one yojana. These regions rose two thousand yojanas high, marking the length of Jambudvipa. The mountains themselves extended two hundred thousand yojanas in length. Among these, Nila and Nishadha were smaller than the others, while Shveta, Hemakuta, Himavat, and the mountains with their lofty peaks were included in this vast range. Nishadha was said to equal Jambudvipa in size, Hemakuta was less by one-twelfth, and Himavat was smaller than Hemakuta by one-twentieth. Hemakuta, the great mountain, measured eighty-eight thousand yojanas, and Himavat spanned eighty thousand yojanas from east to west. Because the continent was circular, the increase and decrease in the size of regions and mountains was described accordingly, and this pattern held true for the northern mountains as well. Within these lands, the inhabited regions were surrounded by steep and uneven mountains. Rivers divided these regions, making them inaccessible to one another, and within them lived beings of all kinds and various species. This was the Himavat region, where the lineage of Bharata found its home. Beyond Hemakuta lay the land called Kimpurusha. Further, beyond Hemakuta, was Nishadha, known as Harivarsha. Beyond Harivarsha was Ilavrita, situated beside Meru. Beyond Ilavrita stretched the renowned region called Nila, followed by the famous Ramyaka. Beyond Ramyaka was Shveta, known as Hiranyamaya, and beyond Hiranyamaya was Shrngavan, remembered as Kuru. Upon this bow-shaped land, two regions existed, known as the southern and northern. There were also four islands, with Ilavrita at the center, each four-sided. South of Nishadha was considered the southern half of the altar; beyond Shrngavan was regarded as the northern half. On the southern half of the altar, three regions were found, and three also on the northern. Between these two, Ilavrita was to be known, where Meru stood tall. To the south of Nila and north of Nishadha rose the great mountain called Malyavat, extending northward. Its breadth and height were each two thousand yojanas, and its length was thirty-four thousand yojanas. To its west stood Gandhamadana, a mountain equal to Malyavat in length, height, and breadth. Between these two, Meru, the golden mountain, stood in its glory—circular, four-colored, golden, four-sided, and soaring high. From the unmanifest elements—water and others—arose the lotus of the earth, with Meru as its pericarp. A four-petaled, manifest, great lotus with five qualities emerged, and from it, the streams of creation spread forth. Through countless cycles, many beings, living virtuous lives, self-controlled and great-souled, attained the Supreme Person. The great yogi, the supreme god Janardana, who is to be meditated upon by the world, pervades all realms. Infinite, all-pervading, embodied, and imperishable, his form is not material, not born of flesh, fat, or bone. Through his yoga and lordship, the mighty one assumes a form of pure existence. For his purpose, the eternal lotus arose in the world, marking the beginning of the remainder of the kalpa and the course of time. Upon that lotus was born the god of gods, the four-faced one, the lord of progenitors, Ishana, the master of the world. The origin of the seed of that lotus was described in detail, along with the creation of all beings. The water became the body of Vishnu, adorned with jewels, and from it arose the earth, shaped like a lotus and covered with forests. Now, listen, O twice-born, as the extent of this world-lotus is described in order and detail, as spoken by the perfected ones. There are four great regions established there, and in their midst stands the mighty mountain called Meru. Its sides shine with various colors: to the east it is white, to the south yellow, to the west the color of a bee, and its northern side is red. Meru, radiant and white, is established among royal lineages. It shines like the rising sun, like a smokeless fire, and rises to a height of eighty-four thousand yojanas. It extends sixteen yojanas below the surface and is sixteen yojanas wide; at its summit, shaped like a dish, it spreads to thirty-two yojanas. Its breadth is three times its circumference on all sides, which is considered its measurement by the circle. Its total circumference is ninety thousand yojanas, and, measured in a square, it is ninety-six thousand yojanas all around. This great and divine mountain is endowed with celestial herbs and is surrounded by beautiful golden plateaus. There, all the hosts of gods, Gandharvas, Nagas, and Rakshasas, as well as the groups of Apsarases, delight in the presence of the king of mountains, Meru.