Emerging from the divine feet of Lord Viṣṇu, the sacred river Gaṅgā first floods the lunar orb and then descends from the heavens, cascading all around the celestial city of Brahmā. Upon reaching there, she divides herself into four mighty streams, each flowing in a different direction: Sītā, Alakanandā, and Cakṣurbhadā, in their respective order. From the eastern mountain, Sītā courses through the sky to another mountain, and by the eastern route, she eventually reaches the ocean in the land of Bhadrāśva. Similarly, the Alakanandā flows southward into Bhārata, and after dividing into seven branches, she empties herself into the sea. Cakṣu, after traversing the entire western mountain range, proceeds to the western region known as Ketumālā and enters the ocean there. Bhadrā, on the other hand, crosses the northern mountains and the land of the northern Kurus, finally reaching the northern ocean. In the midst of this sacred geography, two mountains named Ānīla and Niṣadha stand tall, along with Mālyavat and Gandhamādana. At the very center rises Mount Meru, shaped like the pericarp of a lotus. The lands of the Bhāratas, Ketumālās, Bhadrāśvas, and Kurus form the petals of this world-lotus, each demarcated by their own mountain boundaries. To the south and north, between Ānīla and Niṣadha, lie the boundary mountains Jaṭhara and Devakūṭa. Gandhamādana and Kailāsa stand to the east and west, each stretching eighty yojanas in length. On the sides of Meru, the mountains Niṣadha and Pāriśātra are placed, mirroring the eastern configuration. In the north, Triśṛṅga and Jārudhi stand as the boundary mountains to the east and west, respectively. Thus, all these boundary mountains, beginning with Jaṭhara, encircle Mount Meru on every side. On all four sides of Meru are the splendid Kesara mountains, beginning with Śītānta, each radiating beauty. Nestled in the valleys between these mountains are ancient, delightful forests, frequented by Siddhas and Cāraṇas. In these enchanting regions are the sacred abodes of Lakṣmī, Viṣṇu, Agni, Sūrya, and other gods, which are enjoyed by the noble Kinnaras. The valleys also become playgrounds for Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, as well as Daityas and Dānavas, who sport there day and night. These mountain valleys are considered earthly heavens—abodes of the righteous. Those who perform evil deeds, no matter how many births they may take, can never reach these realms. In the land of Bhadrāśva, the blessed Viṣṇu abides as Hayagrīva; in Ketumāla, he dwells as Varāha; and in Bhārata, he takes the form of Kūrma. In the land of the Kurus, Govinda is present as a fish, and Hari, in his universal form, pervades all places, supporting every region such as Kimpurusha and others. In these lands, there is no sorrow, no toil, nor any disturbance from hunger or fear. The people who dwell there are healthy, free from trouble, and untouched by suffering. Their lives are steady, lasting ten or twelve thousand years. In these regions, the gods do not send rain, nor is there water on the earth as elsewhere, and there is no conception of the ages like Kṛta or Tretā. Each of these regions is graced with seven great mountain ranges, and from them, hundreds of rivers arise. Now, O sage, listen to the description of Bhārata. The land that lies north of the ocean and south of the Himalayas is called Bhārata, the realm where the descendants of Bharata reside. Its breadth is nine thousand yojanas. This is the land of action, where men and women strive and, by their deeds, attain either heaven or liberation. Within Bhārata are seven principal mountain ranges: Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Śuktimān, Ṛkṣa, Vindhya, and Pāriyātra. From this land, people may ascend to heaven by merit, or, if they turn from righteousness, they may be reborn as animals or descend to hell. Indeed, it is only in Bhārata that mortals can attain heaven, liberation, or any other state; nowhere else is the land of action established. In this land of Bhārata are nine regions: Indradvīpa, Kaseru, Tāmraparṇī, Gabhastimān, Nāgadvīpa, Sāmyaka, Gandharva, Cāruṇa, and the ninth, the great island encircled by the ocean. This island stretches a thousand yojanas from south to north. At its eastern end dwell the Kirātas, and at its western end, the Yavanas. In the central regions, the Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras live in their respective domains, engaged in worship, warfare, trade, and other occupations. The rivers Śatadrū and Candrabhāgā, among others, arise from the foot of the Himalayas, while Vedasmṛti and Mukhā spring from the Pāriyātra mountains. The Narmadā and Murasā rivers flow from the Vindhya mountains; Tāpi, Payoṣṇī, Nirvindhyā, and Prasūkhā arise from the Ṛkṣa range. The Godāvarī, Bhīmarathī, Kṛṣṇaveṇī, and other rivers originate from the Sahya mountains, renowned for removing the fear of sin. From the Malaya mountains flow the Kṛtamālā, Tāmraparṇī, and Prasūkhā, while Trisāmā, Carṣikulyā, and others arise from Mahendra. The Ṛṣikulyā, Kumārā, and other rivers begin at the foot of Śuktimān. All these rivers have many tributaries, and there are thousands more. Dwelling in these lands are the peoples of the Kurus, the Panchalas, the Madhyadeśa, and others, as well as those from the eastern regions who live wherever they wish in various forms. The Pundras, Kalingas, Magadhas, and all from the southern regions, together with the Aparantas, Saurashtras, Shuras, Abhiras, and Arbudas, also make their homes here. Thus is the wondrous land of Bhārata and the world surrounding Mount Meru, with its sacred rivers, majestic mountains, and noble peoples, all pervaded and sustained by the eternal presence of the Lord.