O Maitreya, listen as I recount to you the grandeur of the world’s islands and continents, as revealed by the sage Parashara. I have already described Jambudvipa, the vast island with its nine regions, stretching a hundred thousand yojanas across. Encircling this immense land, like a ring, lies the ocean of salt water, its breadth matching that of Jambudvipa. Just as Jambudvipa is surrounded by the salt ocean, so too is that ocean itself encircled by another great island—Plakshadvipa. Plakshadvipa, O Brahman, is twice the size of Jambudvipa, extending two hundred thousand yojanas. Its ruler is Medhatithi, whose seven sons govern the regions of this island: the eldest is Shantahaya, followed by Shishira, Sukhodaya, Ananda, Shiva, Kshemaka, and Dhruva. The boundaries of their realms are marked by seven splendid mountains: Gomada, Chandra, Narada, Dundubhi, Somaka, Mumana, and Vaibhraja. In these delightful mountain regions, sinless people dwell together with gods and gandharvas. Their communities are holy, and the people live long lives, free from sorrow and disease, enjoying happiness at all times. Seven rivers flow through these lands, their names sanctifying those who hear them: Anutapta, Shikhi, Vipasha, Tridivaklama, Amrita, Sukrita, and a seventh whose name is likewise revered. These are the principal rivers and mountains, though countless lesser ones also abound, and the people drink joyfully from their waters. In Plakshadvipa, there is neither the Apasarpini nor the Utsarpini cycle, nor any division of ages; time always flows as in the Treta Yuga. Here, people live for five thousand years without illness, and dharma is observed according to the four classes and stages of life. The classes are called Aryaka, Kurara, Vidishya, and Bhavina—corresponding to Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. At the heart of Plakshadvipa stands the great Plaksha tree, immense in size, from which the island takes its name. The people, beginning with the Aryakas, worship the Blessed Lord, Hari, as the creator of the world in the form of Sima, the universal Lord. Surrounding Plakshadvipa is a region of sugarcane juice, forming a ring equal in measure to the island itself. Thus, Plaksha Island is described to you in brief, O Maitreya. Now hear of Shalmali. The lord of Shalmali is the radiant Vira. His seven sons—Shveta, Harita, Jimuta, Rohita, Vaidyuta, Manasa, and Suprabha—give their names to the seven regions of Shalmali. The ocean encircling this continent is called Suroda, its waters sweet as sugarcane, and it is twice as wide as Shalmali itself. Within Shalmali are seven jewel-laden mountains and seven great rivers. The mountains are Kumuda, Nata, Balahaka, Drona (where medicinal herbs grow), Kanka, Mahisha, and Kakudmat, the best of mountains. The rivers—Yoni, Toya, Vitrishna, Chandra, Mukta, Vimochani, and Nivritti—are said to remove sin. Each of the seven regions is inhabited by the four social orders, and the people are of four colors: tawny, red, yellow, and black, each distinct. The Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras worship the Blessed Lord, the imperishable Self of all, in the form of wind, offering excellent sacrifices and upholding the order of sacrifice. There stands the Shalmali tree, exceedingly large and delightful, known as the bringer of contentment and beloved among the gods. This continent is surrounded by the Suroda ocean, equal in extent to Shalmali on all sides. Encircled by Suroda lies the Kuśa continent, which is twice the width of Shalmali. Its ruler is Jyotishmat, whose seven sons—Udbhida, Venuman, Veratha, Lambana, Dhrti, Prabhakara, and Kapila—give their names to the regions. On Kuśa-dvipa dwell humans together with Daityas and Danavas, as well as gods, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Kimpurushas, and others. There too are four social orders, intent on their own duties: Daminas, Shushminas, Snehās, and Mandehas. Thus, O Maitreya, the wondrous islands, their rulers, regions, mountains, rivers, peoples, and ways of worship have been revealed, each encircled by oceans of unique nature, each blessed with harmony and devotion to the Lord.