The Abode of Guardians of the World
Siita said : The city of Brahma is well known, which is lodged over the higher reaches of the Meru Mountain, covering an area of fourteen thousand Yojanas, where resides lord Brahma, the soul of the universe, the creator of the universe. He is worshipped by leading Yogins, prominent sages, Indra, Visnu, and Shiva. Sanatkumara, the great lord always adores lord Brahma, the chief of the Devas, the soul of the universe, there. With his soul absorbed in Yoga, he drinks the excellent nectar. He stays there while being worshipped by the Siddhas, Rishis, Gandharvas, besides the gods.
There is a splendid and brilliant abode of lord Shiva, of immeasurable splendour, the overload of Devas, in front of the abode of god Brahma.
It possesses the divine lustre, having four gates. It is extremely beautiful. It is surrounded by the great Rishis and is served by the ascetics well-versed in Brahman.
Lord Shiva, the ruler of the universe, having the moon, sun and fire as his eyes, enjoy sports there with the goddess Parvati accompanied by the Pramathas (goblins, ghosts and other attendants of Shiva).
The Rishis with peaceful mind, well-versed in the Vedas, Brahmacarls and the truthful sages adore lord Mahadeva there by means of their penance.
The worship performed by those sages of lord Mahadeva and Parvati, is accepted by the divine couple gracefully.
The excellent city of AmravatT, belonging to Indra, is located to the east of the excellent Meru mountain, which is endowed with all splendour and beauty.
The groups of Apsaras, Gandharvas, Siddhas, Caranas and the gods in thousands, adore Indra having a thousand eyes.
Those who are quite religious-minded and well-versed in the Vedas, besides being devoted to the performing of homas, the place is best suited for them; which is beyond the reach of the gods.
To the south of the Meru mountain, there is the city of Agni, known by the name of Tejovatl, which is full of surprises.
Lord Agni, who illumines with his own lustre, lives there. This place is the abode of the people performing the japas and homas, and is beyond the reach of the Danavas.
To the south of the excellent mountain, there is a great city of Yamraja, the god of death, known as SamyamanI, and which is divine and endowed with all types of splendour.
The gods and others adore lord Vaivasvata (i.e. Yama) there. The place is meant for the auspicious and truthful souls.
To the west of the said mountain, there is the city named Raksovatl, which belongs to the lord Nirrti and is surrounded by the Raksasas from all the sides.
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The demons adore the lord Nairrta there. Those who are devoted to piety but whose deeds are urged by Tamas, go to that place.
T0 the west of the mountain, there is the city of Varuna, known as Suddhavatl. It is quite auspicious, which fulfills all the desires and bestows welfare.
King Varuna is being adored there by celestial damsels, Siddhas and the lord of immortal beings. Only such of the people who donate water, reach that place.
То the north of Varunapurl, there is an auspicious place of the wind-god, known as Gandhavatl. The wind-god lives there.
The great wind-god is served by the apsaras and the Gandharvas. Only such of the Brahmanas who are devoted to Pranayamas1 can live there.
То the east of that city, there is a city named Kantimati which belongs to the moon-god. The moon-god lives there.
Such of the people who follow dharma, the place is meant for such people, who can enjoy all the pleasures there.
To the east of the moon's city, there is the city of Shiva, known by the name of Yasovatl, which is beyond the reach of all.
The palace of Is'ana, Shiva, the lord of Ganas, is located there. Rudra lives there. The vast palace of Ganesvara is also located there where he lives surrounded by the Lord of Ganas.
In earlier times, Paramesthin Shiva, the holder of trident, had conceived that place as the dwelling complex for his devotees.
The Ganga which emerged from the feet of lord Visnu, flowing through the lunar region, falls round the city of god Brahma.
О Brahmanas, falling there, she became divided into four branches in accordance with the four quarters, known as Slta, Alakananda, Sucaksu and Bhadra.
1. A Yogic process of the suppression of vital breath.
Slta (Ganga) flowing from one mountain to the other, flows to the east of Meru through the sub-continent across Bhadrasva, and then joins the ocean.
О Best of the sages, similarly Alakananda, entering Bharata-varsa from the south of the Meru, is divided into the seven parts, and it flows towards the ocean.
Similarly, the river Sucaksu, crossing all the mountains from the western region, enters Ketumala-varsa and then joins the ocean.
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О Great Rishis, Bhadra on the other hand, passing through northern mountain ranges, flows through the region of northern Kurus, joins the northern ocean.
The vast Malyavan and Gandhamadana mountains are spreading upto Nila and Nisadha mountain. Meru is lodged in the centre of both of them as the pericarp of a lotus.
The sub-continents like, Bharata, Ketumala, Bhadrasva and Kurus are the petals of the lotus of the universe outside the Border-mountains.
Towards the" south to the north, the boundary mountains of Jathara and Devakuta are spreading upto the Nila and Nisadha mountains.
Gandhamadana and Kailasa, are lodged to the east and west respectively. Both of them go deep within the ocean extending upto eighty Yojanas.
The mountains known by the name of Nisadha and Pariyatra are located with their limits touching to the west of the Meru.
Similarly, two mountains known by the name of Trias'niga and Jarudhi, are located in the north. Both of them run east and west, reaching the oceans ultimately.
О Brahmanas, thus, I have described the eight border-mountains. These mountains like Jathara and others are located around the Meru mountain.
Chapter 47
Division of the Earth
Stita said, Ketumala's people are of black colour like the crows, and they consume the jack fruit. The women of the land are extremely beautiful having the complexion of the lotus leaves. All of them live upto the age of ten thousand years.
The people of the Bhadras'va region, are of fair complexion and the women have the white complexion resembling the moon rays. All of them consume the cereals and live to the age of ten thousand years.
The men and women of the Ramyaka-varsa have the complexion of silver and they sport for eleven thousand five hundred years. Getting established in their own temperament, they consume the Nyagrodha fruits as their food and adhere to Sattvaguna.
In the Hiranmaya-varsa, the people have the complexion of gold who consume the fruit of coconut trees. All the men and women have the life of twelve thousand and five hundred years each. They live the divine life.
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The people of Kuruvarsa, live on milk alone. They have dark-complexion, and the longevity of their life is fourteen thousand and five hundred years, each.
In Candradvipa, the people are bom by sexual intercourse, enjoy all the pleasures. They daily adore lord Shiva, the great lord.
Then the Kimpurusa-varsa is inhabited by the people of the Brahmana race, having the reflection of gold. They live on the fruits of the holy fig tree and enjoy the age of ten thousand years.
They having been filled with devotion, concentrating their minds, always adore the four-armed and four-faced lord Brahma.
Similarly, the people living in the Harivarsha, have the complexion of gold, they consume the sugarcane juice, and live upto the age of ten thousand years.
The people of this place, devoting themselves to lord Visnu, always adore lord Narayana, the eternal source of the origin of the universe.
There is a palace of Vasudeva, in the grove of Parijata tree, which is white in colour resembling the illustrious moon or like the crystal gem.
It has four gates, an equal number of toranas (arched door-ways), and ten boundary walls. It is unique, inaccessible and invincible.
It has the mandapas (halls) of crystal stones, resembling the palace of Indra. It is decorated with thousand pillars of gold which are well decorated.
It has the stepes of gold, studded with various types of gems. It has divine lion thrones, and has several types of decorations.
It has a number of lakes and rivers with sweet water. This place abounds in Yogins devoted to Narayana, and is quite auspicious. The people of this place are engaged in the study of the Vedas. The Yogins here are devoted to Hari. They always recite the mantras in praise of Madhava.
The kings of that place alwhys . recite the glory of lord Visnu of unmeasured splendour, the overlord of Devas. The passionate young women there, decorating themselves variously, keep on singing and dancing.
The people of the Ilavrta-varsa, have the complexion of lotus flowers, consume the juice of Jambu fruits, and live upto the age of thirteen thousand years.
The men and the women of Bharata-varsa, are of various complexions. They adore different types of gods, and are engaged in various types of holy rites and professions.
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О Sages of holy vows, their age is said to be of a hundred years. The Bharata-varsa is spread in an area of nine thousand Yojanas.
О Brahmanas, this is the land of holy rites of those people who are eligible. There are seven important mountains known by the names of Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Shaktiman, Rksaparvata, Vindhya, and Pariyatra. Bharatavarsa is lodged at the seashore comprising of the eight other dvipas viz., Indradvipa, Kaserukman, Tamrapama, Gabhastiman, Nagadvipa, Saumya, Gandharva and Vanina.
The dvipa is spread in an area of a thousand Yojanas from south to the north. Kirat is lodged to its east, Yavana in the west, and the people who live herein are the Brahmanas, Ksatriyas, Vais'yas and Sudras. Ksatriyas and Vaisyas earn their livelihood, by performing Yajnas, waging wars and dealing in trade. The Stidras stay amongst them serving them.
On this part of the earth, there flow many holy rivers, starting from the mountains. Satadra, Chandrabhaga, Sarayii, Yamuna, Iravatl, Vitasta (Jehlam), Vipas'a, Devika (Dek), Kuhfl, Gomatl. Dhutapapa, Bahuda, Drsadvatl, Kaus'iki, and Lohini, are the rivers which start from Himalaya.
The rivers like Vedasmrti, Vedavatl, VrataghnI, Tridiva, Varnas'a, Candana, Carmanvatl, Sura, Vidisa and Vetravatl originate from the Pariyatra mountain.
The sacred rivers like Narmada, Surasa, Sona, Das'arna, MahanadI, MandakinI, Citrakuta, Tamasi, Pisacika, Citrotpala, Visala, Manjula, and ValuvahinI, issue from the middle of the Rksavan mountain and remove all the sins of the people.
The rivers like Tapi, Payosnl, Nirvindhya, Slghroda, MahanadI, Vinna, VaitaranI, Balaka, Kumudvatl, Mahagaurl, Durga and Antahs'ila, start from the Vindhyacala mountain, which remove all the sins of the people in an instant.
O Best of the Brahmanas, Godavari, Bhlmarathl, Krisna, Vena, Vas'yata, Tungabhadra, Suprayoga and Kaverl, are the rivers of the southern region (Deccan), which issue from the Sahya mountain.
The rivers like Rtumala, Tamrapami, Punyavatl and Utpalavatl are the rivers originating from the Malaya mountain. All these rivers flow with cool water. The rivers like Rsikulya and Trisama, pass through the Gandhamadana mountain.
Ksipra, Palas'inI, Rslka, and Vams'adharinI, are the rivers which start from the base of the Shaktiman mountain and remove all the sins of the people.
О Excellent Brahmanas, there are hundreds of tributaries to these rivers, which also remove all the sins and are good enough for taking bath and the performing of the charities over their banks, which are quite auspicious.
The people of the middle countries are Kurus and Pailcalas. The people living in eastern region are residents of Kamanipa. The people of Pundra, Kalihga, Magadha, the entire southern region, the people of Saurastra, Siidras, Hinas (indigent ones), Arbuda, Malaka, Malapa, and those people living in the Pariyatra mountain, besides the people Sauvlra, Saindhava, Huna, Malya, dwellers of Balya country, people of Madra country, Ramas, the Andhras, and the Paraslkas live over the banks of these rivers and drink their waters.
The people of learnings have spelt out that there are the four Yugas in the Bharata subcontinent, viz., Krta, Tret a, Dvapara and Kaliyuga. These Yugas are found no where else. О Great sages, in the eight Varsas such as the Kimpurusa-varsa, there are no griefs nor the labour, anxieties or the hunger,
All the people there are healthy, free from terror, totally free from sufferings, having everlasting youthfulness, and enjoy all types of pleasures.
Chapter 48
Description of Jambiidvipa
Suta said, “At the top of the Hemakuta mountain, there is the dwelling place of Shiva, Parmeshthin and the god of gods, which is made of crystal rock and is quite beautiful.
He (Shiva) is adored there daily by the sages, Siddhas, as well as the gods. He is ruler of all living beings and holder of Pinaka bow as well as the trident. Lord Shiva together with his consort Parvati and his goblins always looks graceful there.
There is the Kailasa mountain with beautiful peaks, where the intelligent Kubera, together with innumerable Yaksas live.
There is also a great abode of lord Shiva, the god of gods. There is the auspicious river Mandakini, which flows there, with its auspicious water filled with lotus flowers.
The Devas, Danavas, Gandharyas, Yaksas, Raksasas and Kinnaras, drink and take bath in the auspicious water of the river Mandakini. There are hundreds of other rivers with golden lotus flowers blossoming in them. They are holy and very beautiful.
On the banks of those rivers, there is the abode of Paramesthin Shiva as well as of Narayana, who are daily served there by the gods and the Rishis.
At the peak of Hemakuta mountain, there is the forest of the Parijata trees. There is also a gem-studded gigantic palace of Indra there, which is built in crystal stones. It has several pillars, and the domes of gold. There is also a beautiful palace made of gems for the living of Visnu, the soul of the universe, the god of gods. This is quite charming and auspicious; Visnu, the lord of the universe the excellent one, adorable one, and the eternal lord, lives there with Lakshmi.
Similarly at the Vasudhara mountain, there is an auspicious abode of the Vasus, which is most excellent and beyond the reach of the demons. Over the auspicious mountain known as Ratnadhara, there are the dwelling places of the noble-souled seven sages. The Siddhas also live there. There is an auspicious place of Brahma which is built in gold having four entrance gates studded with diamonds, sapphire and other precious gems.
О Brahmanas, the excellent god of gods, Brahma, the grandsire, is being daily adored there by DevaRishis, BrahmaRishis, Siddhas, and other people. Having been adored by all the people, Brahma, with a peaceful mind, lives there with the goddess Savitrl for the welfare of the people.
Over one of the high peaks of HemakQta, there is a great lake of nectar-like water which is quite auspicious and very fragrant. An auspicious hermit of Maharsi Jaiglsavya is located there. The sage who is spotless, with peaceful mind, well-versed in Brahman, surrounded by his disciples lives there always.
His prominent disciples are Sankha, Manohara, Kausika, Krshna, Sumanas, and Vedavada. All of them are devoted to Yogic activities, are peaceful, and smear their bodies with ashes, besides the great Acaryas and those devoted to the Brahman, always adore the Maharsi Jaiglsavya. In order to shower his grace over the Yogins with peaceful minds, lord Shiva, with the goddess Parvati, also lives there.
Over the peak of the excellent mountain, there are several other hermitages of the sages. There are several other lakes and the rivers there, which serve as dwelling places for the Yogins engaged in Yogic practices. The blissful Brahmanas, devoted to Brahman, the performers of Japa, of fully controlled sense-organs, and devoted to spiritual learnings, live there.
They, while establishing their soul on the supreme (cosmic) souf, meditate on the lord Isana, who stationed on the peak of the mountain, still pervades in the entire universe.
The mountain Sumegha which issues lustre like thousands of Adityas, is the dwelling place for Indra. Indra, the lord of the gods, lives there with Sacl.
The abode of Durga is lodged over Gajasaila. It has the tornas of gems. The goddess Bhagavatl lives there, who is also known as Durga and Bhavanl.
Consuming the Yogic nectar pertaining to lord Shiva, receiving the divine nectar directly from him, she is adored by various types of Shaktis (divine powers).
О Brahmanas, the peak of Sunlla mountain, is resplendent with different types of metals. There are several dwelling places of the Rakshasas there. О Brahmanas, similarly over the peak of Mahacala, there are a hundred towns of Yaksas of boundless prowess which are built in crystal pillars.
Over the top of the Svetodara mountain, there is the abode of noble-souled Garuda, with the portals studded with the precious gems and has ramparts and arched gateways. The graceful Garuda resembling Visnu lives there, engaged in the meditation upon the Supreme, immutable refulgence, within his own Atman.
O Best of Brahmanas, there is an auspicious abode of goddess Sri, at Srlsniga mountain, which is made in gold, studded with gems. It has beautiful toranas studded with gems.
Lakshmi, the supreme Shakti of Visnu, with the enormous and endless fortunes lives them, anxious to fascinate the whole world.
Lakshmi, who is adored by the gods, Ganaharvas, Siddhas and Caranas, being self resplendent, devoting her mind towards lord Visnu, the cause of the universe, particularly resides there. There is the great abode of Visnu there, surrounded by four auspicious lakes, with astonishing types of lotuses blossoming there.
Similarly over the mountain Sahasras'ikhara (having a thousand peaks), there are eight towns of the Vidyadharas, which are studded with jewelled staircases and are embellished with lakes. The rivers with clean water flow there having several types of blue lotus flowers. There is also a divine forest of Karnikara flowers where Lord Shiva himself remains present.
There is a beautiful abode of Mahalakshmi, on the Parijata mountain, having charming palaces, decorated with the bells and flywhisks, where the apsaras dance to the tune of the musical instruments like flute, lute, tabors and Panavas, and others the sound of which echoes in the sky.
The place is inhabited by Gandharvas and Kinnaras, besides Siddhas, and is filled with shining palatial buildings. It is served by the great Ganes'varas, and is quite an attractive place for the virtuous people. The goddess Mahalakshmi, lives there engaged in Yogic practices. The great Goddess holds a trident, has three eyes, is the combination of all the Shaktis. The sages who speak on Brahman and have accomplished various Siddhis, can only have an audience with her there.
To the north of the Suparsva mountain, there is the excellent city of Sarasvatl. О Excellent ascetics, there are several lakes there which are used by the Siddhas and being enjoyed by the gods. Over the peak of the mountain Pandura, there are a hundred cities of the Gandharvas, which are surrounded by the trees and the divine damsels The intoxicated men and women enjoy there the worldly pleasures and delightfully engage themselves in love sports forever.
Over the peak of the Anjanagiri, there is the dwelling place for the apsuras. Rambha and other damsels stay there eager for their sexual exercises. Citrasena and other suppliants arrive there as beggars. The city has enough of gems and water springs.
О Excellent sages, over the Kaumuda mountain, there are the peaceful cities of Rudras, whose Rajoguna (or passion) is subsided. The Rudras are devoted to Is'vara. The great Rudras of Yogic power, moving in the inner circle of Is'vara, the illustrious one, live there.
Over the peak of the mountain Pinjara, there are three cities of Ganas (Shiva’s attendants). The city of Kapila, belonging to Nandlsvara, the chief of ganas, is located there, in which the wise ones are lodged. Similarly over the Jarudhi mountain, there is the auspicious abode of Bhaskara (sun-god), the god of gods who is the illustrious one. Above that place is the excellent abode of the moon-god which is located to the north. The moon-god with excellent rays and beautiful soul lives there.
О Great sages, over the Hamsa hill, there is another divine palace, which covers the area of a thousand Yojanas. It has portals which are built in gold and gems. Lord Brahma, the universal soul, with his consort Savitri, lives there and is being served by the groups of Siddhas in the company of Vasudeva. To the south of that place, there is an excellent city of the Siddhas, which is also the dwelling place of leading sages headed by Sanandana.
Over the peak of the Pancas'aila mountain, there are three cities of the Danavas. Close to it, there is the beautiful hermitage of the preceptor of Daityas. The holy hermitage of sage Kardama, the intelligent one, is over the peak of the Sugandha mountain, the beauty of which is heightened by rivers. The great Rishis lives there.
To the east of that place somewhat towards the south, there lives the sage Sanatkumara, the best among those well-versed in Brahman. О MunIshvaras, in all these places as well as the other mountains, several lakes and reservoirs besides the rivers with cool and clean water are there, where the sages have established the auspicious Siddhalingas. These places are beyond counting by me. I have thus spoken about the expansion of Jambudvipa in brief. But full description of the same cannot be made by me even in hundreds of years.
Chapter 49
Description of Plakshadvipa
Surrounded by the ocean of milk on all the sides, the Plakshadvipa is spread in double the area as compared to Jambudvipa.
О Best among the Brahmanas, there are seven prominent mountains in the Plakshadvipa. They have thousands of the Siddhas inhabiting them and are well-divided.
In the Plakshadvipa, first is the Gomeda mountain, the second one is known as Candra, third is Narada, while Dundubhi is the fourth one; then Maniman is the fifth, Meghanisvana is the sixth, Vaibhr&ja is the seventh mountain, which is the favourite place of Brahma.
The Gods, Rishis, Gandharvas, and Siddhas worship the unborn god Brahma, the universal soul and the cosmic witness of all. There are the auspicious Janapadas over these mountains. There are no disturbances or the sufferings over that place.
No sinners are found there. There are seven rivers which issue from those mountains. The BrahmaRishis always adore Brahma, the grandsire, there. The rivers are known by the names of Anutapta, Sikha, Vipapa, Tridiva, Krta, Amrta and Sukrta. Besides these, there are several small rivers as well as the lakes there, which are well known.
There is no cycle of Yugas like Satya, Treta, Dvapara and Kaliyuga found there. All the men have long life. The people there are known as Aryakas, Kururas, Videhas and BhSvins, and are said to be of four castes viz. Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vais'yas and Sudras. The people of the place are devoted to lord Isa, who is worshipped by all of them.
О Excellent sages, they achieve the Empire of Soma and similarity of form of Soma. All the people are devoted to dharma having a delightful mind, free from ailments, and live for five thousand years.
Salmalidvipa has four times the area as compared to Plakshadvipa. It is surrounded by the ocean of sugarcane juice on all the sides. There are seven varsas (sub-continents) and seven dividing ranges of mountains there.
О Suvratas (observers of good vows), these mountains are spreading straight, have beautiful knots, and have seven rivers flowing over the land. The names of the seven mountains are Kumuda, Annada, Balahaka, Drona, Kariisa, Mahisa and Kukudman. The names of the rivers are YonI, Toya, Vitrsna, Candra, Sukla, VimocanI and Nivrtti. With the mere recalling of the names of these rivers, all the sins are washed out. О Best of the Brahmanas, the people of these countries are free from anger.
There is no arrangement for the four Yugas. The people live there without any ailments. The people of all the castes, there always adore the eternal wind-god.
Because of that they achieve the Sayujya, Sariipya, and Salokata deliverance of the wind- god. The Brahmanas there are of fair complexion and the Ksatriyas are of pink complexion. The Vaisyas are of yellow complexion, while Sudras are of black or darkcomplexion.
Kus'advipa is of double the size of Salamalidvipa which is surrounded on all the sides with the ocean of wine. There are seven Kulaparvatas, known by the names of Vidruma, Нота, Dyutiman, Puspavan, Kusesaya, Hari and Mandara.
There are seven rivers known by the names of Dhutapapa, Shiva, Pavitra, Sammita, Vidyut, Prabha, and Rama. О Brahmanas, besides the. above, there are hundreds of other rivers having water which is spotless clean like the gems.
О Brahmanas, the gods living there adore Brahma as their lord. In the said dvipa, the Brahmanas are known as Dravinas, Ksatriyas as Susmins, Vaisyas as Stobhas, and the Sudras as Mandehas.
All the people of that place possess all the knowledge and have the qualities of friendship etc. All of them perform the activities prescribed in the Sastras. They remain engaged for the welfare of the other people. They please Parmesthin Brahma, with the performing of the yajnas.
They achieve the Sayujya (absorption in the deity), Sarupya (similarity with the form of deity) and the Salokya (residence in the region of the deity) types of Muktis with god Brahma. The Kraunca-dvipa is of double the size of Kus'a-dvipa and is surrounded by the ocean of clarified butter.
There are also seven main mountains known by the names of Kraunca, Vamanaka, Adhikarika, Devabda, Viveda, Pundarika, and Dundubhisvana. The seven rivers of the country are known by the names of Gauri, Kumudvatl, Sandhya, Ratri, Manojava, Kobhi, and Pundarikaksa.
О Excellent Brahmanas, the Brahmanas, Ksatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras are known there as Puskala, Puskara, Dhanya and Tisya respectively.
All of them adore lord Mahadeva, giving away charities, sacrifices, remaining peaceful and performing vows, fasting, homas of various types. By the grace of lord Mahadeva, they achieve the Rudra-Sdyujya, Santypa, Salokatd and Samlpya.
О Brahmanas, Saka-dvipa has double the area as compared to Kraunca-dvipa, and is surrounded by the ocean of curds from all the sides.
The names of its prominent mountains are Udaya, Raivata, Syama, Kasthagiri, Ambikeya, Ramya, and Kesarin. The names of the seven rivers are Sukumari, Kumar!, NalinI, Venuka, Iksuka, Dhenuka, and Gabhasti.
The people of that country live while consuming the river waters. Those people are healthy, free of sorrows, and the attachments or malice or hatred. The Brahmana, Ksatriyas, Vais'yas and the Siidras, there are known as Mrga, Magadha, Manasa and Mandagas respectively.
All of them adore the sun-god, the witness of all, performing several of vratas, fasting and other kinds of worship. О Best of the Brahmanas, by the grace of the sun, they achieve the Sayujya (identity) with the sun, Samlpya (nearness) and Sdriipatd (similarity in appearance) and Sdlokata (residence in the solar region).
The ocean of milk surrounds the Saka-dvipa. Svetadvipa is lodged in the centre of it. The people there are devoted to Narayana. There are several Janapadas (territories) full of many surprises. The people of the place are of white complexion and are devoted to lord Narayana.
There are no obstructions or sufferings nor are there any mental or physical ailments. There is no danger of the old age or death. The people of that place are free from greed and anger, illusion or hatred.
They always remain healthy, ever blissful, and enjoy the worldly pleasures. Some of them are engaged in meditation, some in the yogic practices, controlling their sense organs. Some of them are engaged in lapas, others in the performing of the Japas. Some of them are enlightened with perfect spiritual knowledge.
Some of them with the application of Nirblja- yoga (seedless Yoga) and purified by meditating upon Brahman, meditate on eternal Vasudeva, the supreme Brahman.
Someone who likes loveliness, discarding all support, devote themselves to the lord. They are beyond Tamoguna and visualise, Visnu as the Supreme Brahman alone.
All of them have their chests marked with the sign of golden hair called Srlvatsa, and have four arms holding Sankha, Cakra and Gada, clad in yellow lower garment.
Some others who are devoted to Shiva, paste their foreheads with tripundra (three lines of ashes on the forehead), possessing all the fortunes through practice of excellent Yoga, healthy bodies, and are like the lord using Garuda as the vehicle. All of them have enormous prowess, always blissful, spotless, dwelling in the heart of lord Visnu roam about there.
There is the city of Visnu, known as Narayanapura, which is beyond encroachment or assailed by anyone, and has enough of beautiful palaces.
The boundary wall of the same is made of gold while the mandapas are of the crystal stone. Its lustre is diffused in a thousand ways and is quite attractive and beautiful.
It has high palaces, vast canopies, studded with various types of gems, beautiful floor decorations and hundreds of blissful toranas of different designs, besides the gopuras. Its beauty is enhanced by delightful parks of various shapes and flowing rivers, besides lakes all round. Many banners of variegated colours beautify it. The sound of the playing on vlna and flute spreads everywhere.
The streets and the steps of gems could be seen everywhere. It had hundreds and thousands of rivers. The divine songs and music were heard everywhere.
The city had enough of swans, ducks, besides the ruddy geese. All the four gates of the city were unique and were beyond the reach of the enemies.
The Apsaras danced here and there in the city. They were well-versed in several types of singing tunes, which were unknown even to the gods. They were well aware of several sports, passionate, having extremely tender bodies, with faces resembling the moon. They created tinkling sound with their anklets. They wore the serene smile over their faces, had well built and beautiful lips like Bimba (red cherry) fruits. They had the eyes like the fawns. They possessed all the fortunes and had a thin waist.
The said Apsaras walked gracefully like the royal swans, were clad in beautiful garments and had sweet temperament. They were well- versed in speech and were adorned wkh beautiful ornaments. They were bent with the weight of their breasts, had various types of limbs and were good in making love sports.
The city had several orchards with the blossoming flowers, hundreds of living beings, and possessed many excellent qualities. It was also beautified by several gods having numerous attributes.
The city of illustrious Visnu, is quite auspicious and graceful. In the middle of it, is a highly-splendid spot of lofty ramparts and arched ornamental gateways. This is the place of Visnu which bestows success to the Yogins. In the centre of the same, lord Visnu, having the lustre of lotus petals, lies down over the bed of the serpent Sesa. He is adored by Sanandana and other Yogins.
He wore pitambara, has broad eyes, possesses Mahamaya, large arms, and consumes in the nectar of the bliss of his own Atman. He is the deity beyond darkness. Lakshmi, the daughter of the ocean of milk, always serves at his feet. The goddess who is adored by the universe, is lodged at the feet of the lord being beloved of lord Visnu.
The goddess consuming the nectar of the lord Narayana, stays there, getting devoted to him with her mind. The evil people of impious activities do not go there; nor those who dwell in the abodes of other Devas. It is the abode named Vaikuntha and is adored even by the gods. It is beyond my wisdom to describe the entire region.
This much could only be spoken, that this is the place of Narayana, who is the supreme Brahman, eternal and Vasudeva. Lord Narayana, deluding the universe with his Maya, is sleeping there.
The entire universe emerges from Narayana, and is also established in him. At the end of the Kalpa period, the world is absorbed in him. He is the ultimate goal.
Chapter 50
Description of Puskaradvipa
Suta said, PuskaradvTpa is of double the size of the Sakadvipa which is surrounded by the ocean of milk.
О Best of Brahmanas, “There is a huge mountain known by the name of Manasottara. It has the height of fifty thousand Yojanas. Its expansion on all sides is the same. It is globular all round. The mountain Manasottara is stationed exactly in the middle of the continent.
О Great sage, one and the same establishment has been divided into two parts. It is said that there are two auspicious and purified Janapadas in that island.
Both of them are in the semicircle of the Manasa mountain. There are two varsas there known as Mahavita and DhatakI khanda. This dvipa Puskara is surrounded by an ocean of sweet water. There is a huge banyan tree, which is adored even by the immortal.
There Brahma, the universal soul, resides. О Excellent sage, the abode of Shiva and Narayana is also located there.
Both lord Shiva and Vishnu are lodged in one half of this continent. In one half Нага resides and in the other half Hari resides. Brahma and other gods, besides Sanatkumara, adore them.
Ishvara who is Krisna (black) and Pingala (brown) is adored by Gandharvas, Kinnaras, and Yaksas. The people of that place are quite healthy and normal. The Brahmanas, there, possess hundred times more lustre.
They are free from ailments, grief, attraction or malice. There is no difference between truth and falsehood, high or low, or the middle ones.
There is no Varnasrama-dharma (rules and rites of the different castes and stages of life), nor the rivers or the mountains. О Best of the Brahmanas, Puskaradvipa is surrounded by the vast ocean of the sweet water from all the sides. Its situation in the world is beyond everything and every world.
The earth, comparable to a single golden rock, is of double in size which is spread in all the sides. Beyond that is the boundary mountain known as Bhanumandala.
The region is known as Lokaloka,1 because a part of it has light and the other part of the same is covered with darkness. Its height is ten thousand Yojanas.
The area of the Lokaloka moimtain is the same. The darkness is surrounding it on all the sides in an oval shape. In this way the seven lokas as well as the seven Patalas (nether worlds) have been described.
1. Name of a mythical belt or circle of mountains surrounding the outer most of the seven seas and dividing the visible world, from the region of darkness (as the sun is within the wall of montains they are light on one side and dark on the other). MW p.907.
Thus, the entire cosmic egg has been described by me in brief. Because of the supreme lord being all pervading, these globes are imagined to be crores in number. This should be known. Fourteen worlds are enshrined in all these cosmic eggs.
The four-faced Brahma, Rudra, Narayana and others live in their respective places. There are several sheaths, which have covered each cosmic egg from all the sides. In these sheaths, one is ten times bigger than the other. О Brahmanas, the learned people visit these places.
The one who is beyond measure, invisible, eternal, beyond birth and death, Mahat, is undecaying, form of Prakrti, dwells there crossing all the barriers. Because of his being Ananta, he is beyond measure.
The stable, supreme Brahman, should be treated as invisible. It is infinite and endless as it is beyond calculation.
I have already explained the best of his glory. He is all pervading, adored by all. He indeed is present on earth, in nether worlds sky, in wind, fire, heaven and the oceans. There is no doubt about the same.
Similarly, the resplendent supreme Brahman, is present in the light as well as the darkness. The same Purusottama, sports in many ways, dividing himself in many forms.
Lord Mahesvara is beyond that unmanifest from which this cosmic egg has been produced. Infact, lord Brahma has been bom out of the golden egg. The universe was created through him.
Chapter 51
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