O wise one, hear now the story as it unfolds. In days long past, a noble soul devoted himself to the practice of yoga at Shalagrama. With unwavering dedication, he relinquished his mortal life, and was reborn as a brahmin in the most distinguished family among yogis. Let me recount his deeds for you, as they are worthy of remembrance. From the illustrious Sumati was born Indradyumna. Indradyumna’s son was Parameshthi, and from him descended Pratihara. Pratihara’s son was known as Pratiharta. From Bhuva came Udgitha, whose son was Prastara. From Prithu was born Nakta, and Nakta’s son was Gaya. Gaya’s son was Nara, and Nara’s son was Virat, a man of great strength and intelligence. Virat’s son was Mahanta, and Mahanta’s son was Umanasyu. Tvashtri was born of Tvashtri, and Viraja was the son of Raja. King Śatajid was blessed with a hundred sons, among whom Viśagu and Jyotiḥ stood foremost. Through them, the peoples of the land flourished. They divided the land of Bhārata into nine regions, and in ancient times, the descendants of their line enjoyed the bounty of Bhāratī. With the creation of the Kṛta, Tretā, and other yugas, the cycles of time known as yugas were established. This is the creation brought forth by Svāyambhuva, who filled the world. In the Varāha kalpa, he was the lord of the previous manvantara. Maitreya then spoke, eager to learn: “O Brāhman, you have described to me the creation brought forth by Svāyambhuva. Now, I wish to hear about the entire expanse of the earth. How many oceans, islands, regions, mountains, forests, rivers, and cities are there, as well as the abodes of gods and other beings? What is the measure of all this, what is its foundation, and what is its nature? Please describe its arrangement properly, O sage.” Parāśara replied, “Listen, Maitreya, as I briefly speak of this vast subject, for even in a hundred years its full detail cannot be told. There are seven great islands: Jambū and Plakṣa, Śālmalī, Kuśa, Krauñca, Śāka, and Puṣkara. Seven oceans surround these islands, each with waters of a different kind: salt, sugarcane juice, wine, clarified butter, curds, milk, and pure water. Jambūdvīpa lies at the center of all these islands, and at its heart stands the golden mountain. This mountain extends sixteen thousand leagues below and rises thirty-two thousand leagues above. At its base, it measures sixteen thousand leagues in all directions, shaped like the pericarp of a lotus. To the south of this mountain are Himavat, Hemakūṭa, and Niṣadha; to the north are Nīla, Śveta, and Śṛṅgī. Of these, two in the middle measure a hundred thousand in length, while the others are each ten thousand less. Their height is three thousand leagues, and their breadth matches their height. Within Jambūdvīpa are its regions: Bhārata is the first, followed by Kimpuruṣa, and then Harivarṣa, which lies south of Meru. In the north is Ramyaka, next to Hiraṇmaya, and the Uttarakurus, just as Bhārata is. Each region, O best of twice-born, extends nine thousand leagues. At their center is Ilāvṛta, with the golden Meru rising high. To the east of Meru lies Ilāvṛta, stretching nine thousand yojanas, and there are four mountains, the buttresses of Meru, rising to a height of ten thousand yojanas. Mandara is to the east, Gandhamādana to the south, Vipula to the west, and Supārśva to the north. Upon these mountains grow majestic trees: kadamba, jambū, pippala, and banyan, each towering eleven hundred yojanas tall, like mountain peaks. The jambū tree gives its name to Jambūdvīpa, and its fruits are the size of great elephants. When these fruits fall and break open on the slopes, their juice flows everywhere, forming the river called Jambūnadī. This river is drunk by the inhabitants, and from it, they are free from sweat, foul odor, old age, and the decline of the senses. Those who drink its waters are born with pure minds. When the river’s foam dries in the gentle winds and settles on the banks, it becomes gold—Jāmbūnada—fit for the ornaments of the perfected. To the east of Meru is Bhadrāśva, and to the west is Ketumāla; Ilāvṛta lies between these two regions. In the east is the forest Caitraratha, to the south Gandhamādana, to the west Vaibhrāja, and to the north Nandana, renowned among the gods. There are four lakes: Aruṇoda, Mahābhadra, Asitoda, and Śamāna, always enjoyed by the gods. To the east of Meru are the Kesarācala mountains: Śītānta, Śvakramuñja, Kurarī, Mālyavān, Vaikaṅka, Trikūṭa, Śiśira, Pataṅga, and Rucaka. To the south, beginning with Niṣadha, are Śikhivāsa, Savaidūrya, Kapila, Gandhamādana, and others. To the west, beginning with Jārudhi, are more Kesarācala mountains. Adjacent to Meru, in regions such as Jaṭhara, are Śaṅkhakūṭa, Ṛṣabha, Haṃsa, Nāga, and others; to the north, beginning with Kālañjara, are more Kesarācala mountains. Atop Meru stands the great city of Brahmā, renowned in the heavens, measuring fourteen thousand yojanas. In all eight directions and the intermediate points, are the famous foremost cities of Indra and the other guardians of the worlds. Thus, O wise Maitreya, is the wondrous arrangement of the earth, its regions, mountains, rivers, forests, and divine abodes, as spoken by the sages and preserved in the ancient tradition.