Rudra spoke of the heart of the world, where stands the mighty Meru, the golden king of mountains. At its root—the very center, as if it were the navel of the cosmic Meru—lies a vast region, stretching thousands of yojanas in every direction. The base of this sovereign mountain itself measures forty-eight thousand yojanas in circumference, a foundation so immense that it is beyond ordinary reckoning. Around Meru, countless other mountains rise, many of great height, and at each of the eight cardinal directions, auspicious boundary mountains stand as guardians of the world. In the east, the wise know of Jaṭhara and Devakūṭa, extending from east to west, marking the sacred boundaries of the directions. Rudra then revealed the marvels of Meru, the golden mountain. Four great bases uphold Meru, one in each direction, and by their steadfastness, the earth with its seven continents remains firm, unshaken. Each base stretches ten thousand yojanas wide, constructed both horizontally and vertically, and is adorned with streaks of brilliant orpiment. They glitter with realgar and gold, inlaid with precious gems, and shine with the abodes of perfected beings and delightful pleasure gardens. To the east of Meru stands Mandara; to the south, Gandhamādana; to the west, Vipula; and to the north, Supārśva. Upon the peaks of these four mountains, four wondrous trees grow, each attended by gods, demons, and celestial nymphs, and endowed with every virtue. On Mandara’s summit blooms the sacred Kadamba tree, with long, hanging branches. Its flowers are as large as great water jars, with fully opened filaments and a fragrance that delights the heart, blossoming through every season. The scent of this Kadamba spreads in all directions, filling the air for a thousand leagues, surrounded by worlds and living beings. This tree, born from the mountain of rain and called Bhadrāśva, is renowned as the greatest of trees, where Hṛṣīkeśa—Viṣṇu himself—is worshipped by hosts of perfected beings. It was to this auspicious Kadamba that Viṣṇu, in his horse-headed form, came and obtained the finest chowrie, ascending again and again to its summit. The region thus beheld by the Lord of all bipeds became known as Bhadrāśva, for it was named after him—of this, there is no doubt. On the summit of the southern Gandhamādana, revered by the gods, stands the wondrous Jambū tree, whose flowers and fruits appear instantly, adorned with great branches. Its fruits are large, sweet, and tender as nectar, falling upon the mountain’s peak. From this mountain flows the divine river Jāmbūnadī, carrying the juice of the fruits. From its waters arises the gold called Jāmbūnada, blazing like fire—a matchless ornament for the gods and a destroyer of sins. Gods, demons, gandharvas, yakshas, rakshasas, and guhyakas drank the nectar-like juice that flowed from the Jambū tree’s fruit. This Jambū tree stands as the banner in the southern region, renowned among all worlds, and by its name, humans call the land Jambudvīpa. To the south of the great mountain Vipula grows a vast and noble fig tree, known as Shringa. Its trunk is massive, and it is home to many beings. The tree bears beautiful, auspicious fruits—delightful in every season and as large as water jars. This tree is the banner of the Ketumalas, attended by gods and gandharvas, and is called Ketumala. Its name has a sacred origin: when the churning of the milk ocean was completed, garlands were placed on its trunk, and Indra adorned the caitya’s banner with a garland. Thus, the region became known as Ketumala, marked by this sign. On the northern peak of Supārśva stands a great banyan tree, called Vaṭa. Its broad trunk spreads over a circle of three yojanas, adorned with garlands, wreaths, and clusters, its branches hanging down beautifully. It is frequented by perfected beings and always bears golden fruits, shining like hanging water jars. This is the banner tree of the Uttarakurus. There dwell the seven illustrious Kurus, sons of Brahmā, born from his mind and younger brothers of Sanatkumāra. In that place, the world is said to be eternal, lasting until the end of time, inhabited by great souls who are steadfast in knowledge and free from passion. This region, named after those seven great souls, is always renowned as Uttarakuru, both in heaven and on earth. Rudra continued, describing the four chief mountains, each delightful and filled with the songs of birds. These mountains, with many peaks, are adorned with various birds and serve as playgrounds for the gods and their celestial women. The songs of kinnaras echo through their slopes, while cool, gentle, fragrant breezes make these places even more beautiful. In the east shines Chaitraratha, and in the south, Gandhamādana—both possessing clear waters and divided into nine regions by their power. In these regions, groves are filled with goddesses who play joyfully in various places. The lands are delightful, filled with birdsong, adorned with sacred fords strewn with jewels, and blessed with waters of great merit. Ingenious water devices create melodious sounds, while branches hang low, resonating with flocks of birds and bees. Among these four mountains, lakes adorned with lotuses, blue lilies, and kahlaras abound, each possessing unique qualities, completing the heavenly beauty of this sacred realm.