O wise one, listen as I describe the wondrous realms beyond our own, where gods and gandharvas delight amidst splendid mountain ranges. In those celestial lands, the mountains stand in majesty, each with its own name and glory: Krauñca, Vāmana, Andhakāraka, Ratnashaila, Svāhinī, and Hayasannibha. Each mountain surpasses the last in size, just as the continents themselves grow in measure. Divāvṛt is the fifth, followed by Puṇḍarīkavān, and then the great Dundubhi, each twice as vast as the one before. Within these beautiful regions and upon these excellent peaks, people dwell without fear, living in harmony with hosts of gods. The four classes of humanity are found here, each with their own name: the Brahmins are called Puṣkarāḥ, the Kshatriyas are Puṣkalā, the Vaishyas are Dhanyā, and the Shudras are Tiṣyā. Seven principal rivers, along with hundreds of smaller streams, nourish these lands. Their names are Gaurī, Kumudvatī, Sandhyā, Rātri, Manojavā, Kṣānti, and Puṇḍarīkā. From these rivers, the people drink, their lives sustained by these sacred waters. Here, Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Puṣkārādya and Janārdana, taking the form of Rudra during sacrifices. This entire continent, known as Krauñcadvīpa, is encircled by an ocean of curds, equal in expanse to the land it surrounds. Beyond this ocean lies Śākadvīpa, twice as vast as Krauñcadvīpa, forming a perfect ring. Śākadvīpa is ruled by the noble Bhavya, a great soul, who had seven sons. To each son, he entrusted a region, and these regions bear their names: Jalada, Kumāra, Mukumāra, Marīcaka, Kusumoda, Maudāki, and Mahādruma. Seven mountains divide these lands, their names resounding with grandeur: Udaya in the east, Jalādhāra, Raivataka, Śyāma, Astagiri, Āmbikeya, and the delightful Kesari, the foremost among them. At the heart of this island stands the great Śāka tree, revered by Siddhas and Gandharvas. The mere touch of its wind brings supreme delight to all. The people here are virtuous, endowed with the four classes, and live in a land graced by sacred rivers that wash away all fear of sin. The seven main rivers—Sukumārī, Kumārī, Nalinī, Dhenukā, Ikṣu, Veṇukā, and Gabhastī—flow through the regions, joined by hundreds of lesser streams and countless mountains. Those who dwell in regions such as Jalada drink joyfully from these rivers. These people, descended from heaven, have come to earth, and among them, righteousness is never lost. There is no conflict, nor do they trespass upon each other’s lands. The peoples of Śākadvīpa are known as Vaṅgas, Māgadhas, Mānasas, and Mandagas. Among them, the Vaṅgas are mostly Brahmins, the Māgadhas are Kshatriyas, the Mānasas are Vaishyas, and the Mandagas are Shudras. In this land, Lord Vishnu is worshipped in the form of the Sun, with minds controlled and rites properly observed. Śākadvīpa, in turn, is surrounded by the ocean of milk, forming a perfect circle equal in measure to the island itself. Encircling the ocean of milk lies the great island of Puṣkara, twice as vast as Śākadvīpa in every direction. Here, Savanā’s mighty son Mahāvīra rules, and the island is divided into two regions: Mahāvīra and Dhātukī, also known as Dhātukīkhanda. A single renowned mountain, Mānasa, rises in the middle, perfectly circular and standing fifty thousand yojanas high and wide, dividing Puṣkaradvīpa into two regions. Each is encircled by a ring-shaped mountain. In these lands, people live for ten thousand years, free from disease and sorrow, untouched by attachment or aversion. Among them, there are neither the lowest nor the highest; there are no killers or victims, nor any envy, spite, fear, hatred, fault, or greed. Beyond lies the great region called Dhātakīkhaṇḍa, the outermost land, honored by gods, demons, and others, situated to the north of Lake Mānasa. In Puṣkara, truth and falsehood dwell together. There are no rivers or mountains in this dual region, and the humans and gods here are all of equal appearance. The people do not follow the practices of caste or stage of life, nor do they observe religious duties, the three Vedas, legal punishment, or service. These two regions, Dhātakīkhaṇḍa and Mahāvīra, are the highest earthly heavens—always pleasant in every season, free from old age, disease, and the like. In the midst of Puṣkara stands the great Nyagrodha tree, the supreme abode of Brahmā, where Brahmā himself resides, worshipped by gods and demons alike. This island is surrounded by an ocean of sweet water, equal in expanse and perfectly circular. Thus, the islands and oceans are arranged in sevens, each island and ocean equal in size to its companion, and each successive pair is double the previous. The waters of all these oceans remain ever equal, never lacking or exceeding their measure, preserving the perfect balance of creation.