O sage, listen as I describe the wondrous geography and divine qualities of the world surrounding Meru. On either side of Meru, just as on the east, stand the boundary mountains known as Niṣadha and Pāriśātra. To the north, the mountains Triśṛṅga and Jārudhi mark the boundaries, each situated to the east and west, forming an enclosure. Thus, beginning with Jaṭhara, these boundary mountains are established in all four directions around Meru, encircling it like a protective ring. Adorning the four sides of Meru are the mountains called Kesara, starting with Śītānta, which are renowned for their extraordinary beauty. In the valleys between these mountains, Siddhas and Cāraṇas wander freely, and ancient forests flourish, filling the air with delight. These regions are sacred, for here are found the abodes of Lakṣmī, Viṣṇu, Agni, Sūrya, and other gods, all enjoyed by the noble Kinnaras. In these charming mountain valleys, Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, Daityas, and Dānavas revel day and night, sporting joyfully. Such places are regarded as earthly heavens, O sage—abodes of the righteous. No one who has committed evil deeds can reach these realms, not even after hundreds of births. Within the regions of Bhadrāśva, Ketumāla, Bhārata, and Kuru, the blessed Viṣṇu himself abides in various forms. In Bhadrāśva, he is Hayagrīva; in Ketumāla, he is Varāha; in Bhārata, he appears as Kūrma; and in Kuru, as a great fish. Indeed, Hari, the universal Lord, pervades all and is present everywhere. O Maitreya, that Supreme Being who is the foundation of all supports the eight regions—such as Kimpurusha and others. In these lands, there is no sorrow, no toil, no hunger, nor any fear. The people are healthy, free from trouble and suffering, and live for ten or twelve thousand years with steady lives. There, the gods do not send rain, nor is there water as found elsewhere, and the concept of ages like Krita or Treta does not exist. Each region is adorned with seven great mountain ranges, from which hundreds of rivers arise, nourishing the land and its beings. Now hear of Bhārata, O sage, as declared by Śrī Parāśara. The land lying north of the ocean and south of the Himalayas is called Bhārata, the dwelling place of the descendants of Bharata. It stretches nine thousand yojanas in breadth and is known as the land of action, where people strive for heaven or liberation. Within Bhārata are seven principal mountain ranges: Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Śuktimān, Ṛkṣa, Vindhya, and Pāriyātra. From this land, one attains heaven by merit, or, turning from righteousness, may fall into animal birth or hell. Here alone, O sage, is the land of action, the only place where mortals can attain heaven, liberation, or any intermediate state. This land is divided into nine regions: Indradvīpa, Kaseru, Tāmraparṇī, Gabhastimān, Nāgadvīpa, Sāmyaka, Gandharva, Cāruṇa, and the ninth—this island encircled by the ocean. The island stretches a thousand yojanas from south to north; at its eastern end dwell the Kirātas, at the western end the Yavanas, and in the middle live Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras, each engaged in their respective duties of worship, warfare, trade, and service. From the foot of the Himalayas arise the rivers Śatadrū and Candrabhāgā, and from the Pāriyātra mountains flow Vedasmṛti and Mukhā. The Vindhya mountains give birth to the Narmadā and Murasā, while the Ṛkṣa range sends forth Tāpi, Payoṣṇī, Nirvindhyā, and Prasūkhā. From the Sahya mountains emerge the Godāvarī, Bhīmarathī, Kṛṣṇaveṇī, and other rivers that are said to remove sin. The Malaya mountains give rise to Kṛtamālā, Tāmraparṇī, and Prasūkhā, while Mahendra sends forth Trisāmā, Carṣikulyā, and others. Śuktimān’s foot is the source of Ṛṣikulyā, Kumārā, and many more; indeed, there are thousands of rivers and countless tributaries throughout the land. The people of Bhārata are many: the Kurus, Panchalas, those of Madhyadeśa, the Pundras, Kalingas, Magadhas, Aparantas, Saurashtras, Shuras, Abhiras, Arbudas, Karushas, Malavas, and those of the Paripatra mountains; the Sauvira, Saindhava, Huna, Salva, Kosala, Madrakas, Ramas, Ambasthas, Parasikas, and others—all dwell together in prosperity, each in their own regions, drinking the waters of these sacred rivers. In Bhārata, O sage, there are four yugas: Krita, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali; nowhere else do these ages exist. Here, ascetics perform austerities and sacrificers offer gifts with reverence for the next world. In Jambudvipa, the Purusha of sacrifice is worshipped through ritual; in other dvipas, Vishnu is worshipped differently. Yet, even here, Bharata is the foremost region in Jambudvipa, for it alone is the land of action, while the others are lands of enjoyment. O best of beings, it is only after countless births and the accumulation of great merit that a soul attains human birth in Bharata. The gods themselves sing: “Blessed are those born in the land of Bharata, the path to heaven and liberation; for there, by virtue, men are born again and again.” Those who renounce actions and their fruits to Vishnu, the Supreme Self, and, having attained the greatness of action, merge into Him—those pure souls truly reach the highest state. We do not know, O sage, where we shall go when the karma that leads to heaven is exhausted and the body falls away. Truly blessed are those humans in Bharata who, possessing their senses, walk the sacred path.