06.007
Library: Description of the five elements and their manifestation. Then the Sudarshana island, visible in the moon's sphere.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
उक्तो द्वीपस्य सङ्क्षेपो विस्तरं ब्रूहि सञ्जय। यावद्भूम्यवकाशोऽयं दृश्यते शशलक्षणे ॥ तस्य प्रमाणं प्रब्रूहि ततो वक्ष्यसि पिप्पलम् ॥६-७-१॥
The summary of the island has been mentioned; now, Sanjaya, describe it in detail as far as the earth's expanse is visible, marked by the hare. Explain its dimensions, and then you will speak of Pippala.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
एवमुक्तः स राज्ञा तु सञ्जयो वाक्यमब्रवीत्। प्रागायता महाराज षडेते रत्नपर्वताः ॥ अवगाढा ह्युभयतः समुद्रौ पूर्वपश्चिमौ ॥६-७-२॥
Upon being addressed by the king, Sanjaya spoke: 'O great king, these six jewel mountains stretch out and are submerged between the eastern and western oceans.'
हिमवान्हेमकूटश्च निषधश्च नगोत्तमः। नीलश्च वैडूर्यमयः श्वेतश्च रजतप्रभः ॥ सर्वधातुविनद्धश्च शृङ्गवान्नाम पर्वतः ॥६-७-३॥
The mountains Himavan, Hemakuta, and Nishadha are considered the best. Nila is known for its beryl composition, while Shveta is renowned for its silver-like shine. Shringavan is a mountain rich in various minerals.
एते वै पर्वता राजन्सिद्धचारणसेविताः। तेषामन्तरविष्कम्भो योजनानि सहस्रशः ॥६-७-४॥
These are the mountains, O king, revered by siddhas and charanas. The distance between them spans thousands of yojanas.
तत्र पुण्या जनपदास्तानि वर्षाणि भारत। वसन्ति तेषु सत्त्वानि नानाजातीनि सर्वशः ॥६-७-५॥
In those holy regions, O Bhārata, various kinds of beings dwell everywhere for years.
इदं तु भारतं वर्षं ततो हैमवतं परम्। हेमकूटात्परं चैव हरिवर्षं प्रचक्षते ॥६-७-६॥
This region is known as Bharata, beyond which lies the Himavat. Beyond Hemakuta, it is indeed called Harivarsa.
दक्षिणेन तु नीलस्य निषधस्योत्तरेण च। प्रागायतो महाराज माल्यवान्नाम पर्वतः ॥६-७-७॥
O great king, the mountain named Mālyavān stretches to the east, lying to the south of Nīla and to the north of Niṣadha.
ततः परं माल्यवतः पर्वतो गन्धमादनः। परिमण्डलस्तयोर्मध्ये मेरुः कनकपर्वतः ॥६-७-८॥
Then, beyond the Mālyavat mountain lies Gandhamādana. Between these two stands Meru, the golden mountain.
आदित्यतरुणाभासो विधूम इव पावकः। योजनानां सहस्राणि षोडशाधः किल स्मृतः ॥६-७-९॥
The sun, appearing youthful and like a smokeless fire, is said to be situated sixteen thousand leagues below.
उच्चैश्च चतुराशीतिर्योजनानां महीपते। ऊर्ध्वमन्तश्च तिर्यक्च लोकानावृत्य तिष्ठति ॥६-७-१०॥
O King, it stands high, covering eighty-four yojanas upwards, within, and across the worlds.
तस्य पार्श्वे त्विमे द्वीपाश्चत्वारः संस्थिताः प्रभो। भद्राश्वः केतुमालश्च जम्बूद्वीपश्च भारत ॥ उत्तराश्चैव कुरवः कृतपुण्यप्रतिश्रयाः ॥६-७-११॥
Beside him, there are four islands: Bhadrashva, Ketumala, Jambudvipa, and Bharata. To the north are the Kurus, known as the abode of the virtuous.
विहगः सुमुखो यत्र सुपर्णस्यात्मजः किल। स वै विचिन्तयामास सौवर्णान्प्रेक्ष्य वायसान् ॥६-७-१२॥
The beautiful-faced bird, who was indeed the son of Suparna, contemplated upon seeing the golden crows.
मेरुरुत्तममध्यानामधमानां च पक्षिणाम्। अविशेषकरो यस्मात्तस्मादेनं त्यजाम्यहम् ॥६-७-१३॥
Meru, being indiscriminate among the best, middling, and lowest of birds, is abandoned by me for this reason.
तमादित्योऽनुपर्येति सततं ज्योतिषां पतिः। चन्द्रमाश्च सनक्षत्रो वायुश्चैव प्रदक्षिणम् ॥६-७-१४॥
The Sun, as the lord of all luminaries, constantly follows its path. The Moon, along with the stars and the wind, indeed perform their circumambulation.
स पर्वतो महाराज दिव्यपुष्पफलान्वितः। भवनैरावृतः सर्वैर्जाम्बूनदमयैः शुभैः ॥६-७-१५॥
O great king, that mountain is adorned with divine flowers and fruits and is surrounded by all auspicious buildings made of gold.
तत्र देवगणा राजन्गन्धर्वासुरराक्षसाः। अप्सरोगणसंयुक्ताः शैले क्रीडन्ति नित्यशः ॥६-७-१६॥
In that place, O king, the divine beings, including gandharvas, demons, and rākṣasas, along with the apsaras, are always engaged in playful activities on the mountain.
तत्र ब्रह्मा च रुद्रश्च शक्रश्चापि सुरेश्वरः। समेत्य विविधैर्यज्ञैर्यजन्तेऽनेकदक्षिणैः ॥६-७-१७॥
In that place, Brahma, Rudra, and Indra, the lord of the gods, gather together to perform various sacrifices, offering numerous gifts.
तुम्बुरुर्नारदश्चैव विश्वावसुर्हहा हुहूः। अभिगम्यामरश्रेष्ठाः स्तवै स्तुन्वन्ति चाभिभो ॥६-७-१८॥
Tumburu, Nārada, Viśvāvasu, Hahā, and Huhūḥ, the best among the immortals, approach and praise you, O Lord, with their hymns.
सप्तर्षयो महात्मानः कश्यपश्च प्रजापतिः। तत्र गच्छन्ति भद्रं ते सदा पर्वणि पर्वणि ॥६-७-१९॥
The seven great sages, including Kaśyapa, the lord of creatures, always go there on every occasion. May you be blessed always.
तस्यैव मूर्धन्युशनाः काव्यो दैत्यैर्महीपते। तस्य हीमानि रत्नानि तस्येमे रत्नपर्वताः ॥६-७-२०॥
O king, Ushanas Kavi was placed on the head by the demons; these are indeed his gems, these are his mountains of gems.
तस्मात्कुबेरो भगवांश्चतुर्थं भागमश्नुते। ततः कलांशं वित्तस्य मनुष्येभ्यः प्रयच्छति ॥६-७-२१॥
Therefore, the divine Kubera enjoys a fourth of the wealth and then distributes a portion of it to humans.
पार्श्वे तस्योत्तरे दिव्यं सर्वर्तुकुसुमं शिवम्। कर्णिकारवनं रम्यं शिलाजालसमुद्गतम् ॥६-७-२२॥
On the northern side of him, there is a divine and auspicious karṇikāra forest, blooming with flowers in all seasons, beautifully emerging from a network of rocks.
तत्र साक्षात्पशुपतिर्दिव्यैर्भूतैः समावृतः। उमासहायो भगवान्रमते भूतभावनः ॥६-७-२३॥
There, Lord Shiva, the creator of all beings, enjoys in the company of Uma, surrounded by divine beings.
कर्णिकारमयीं मालां बिभ्रत्पादावलम्बिनीम्। त्रिभिर्नेत्रैः कृतोद्द्योतस्त्रिभिः सूर्यैरिवोदितैः ॥६-७-२४॥
He wore a garland made of karṇikāra flowers that hung down to his feet, and his three eyes shone like three rising suns.
तमुग्रतपसः सिद्धाः सुव्रताः सत्यवादिनः। पश्यन्ति न हि दुर्वृत्तैः शक्यो द्रष्टुं महेश्वरः ॥६-७-२५॥
The great Lord Shiva is visible to those who have perfected themselves through intense austerities, uphold good vows, and speak the truth; he cannot be seen by the wicked.
तस्य शैलस्य शिखरात्क्षीरधारा नरेश्वर। त्रिंशद्बाहुपरिग्राह्या भीमनिर्घातनिस्वना ॥६-७-२६॥
O King, from the peak of that mountain flows a stream of milk, spanning thirty arms, resonating with the sound of thunder.
पुण्या पुण्यतमैर्जुष्टा गङ्गा भागीरथी शुभा। पतत्यजस्रवेगेन ह्रदे चान्द्रमसे शुभे ॥ तया ह्युत्पादितः पुण्यः स ह्रदः सागरोपमः ॥६-७-२७॥
The sacred and auspicious Ganga, known as Bhagirathi, flows continuously into the moon-like lake. This lake, created by her, is as vast as an ocean.
तां धारयामास पुरा दुर्धरां पर्वतैरपि। शतं वर्षसहस्राणां शिरसा वै महेश्वरः ॥६-७-२८॥
Long ago, Lord Shiva held her on his head for a hundred thousand years, even though she was difficult to hold even by the mountains.
मेरोस्तु पश्चिमे पार्श्वे केतुमालो महीपते। जम्बूषण्डश्च तत्रैव सुमहान्नन्दनोपमः ॥६-७-२९॥
O king, on the western side is Ketumala, and there is the very great Jambuṣaṇḍa, comparable to Nandana.
आयुर्दश सहस्राणि वर्षाणां तत्र भारत। सुवर्णवर्णाश्च नराः स्त्रियश्चाप्सरसोपमाः ॥६-७-३०॥
O Bhārata, in that place, people live for ten thousand years. The men are golden-colored, and the women are like celestial nymphs (Apsaras).
अनामया वीतशोका नित्यं मुदितमानसाः। जायन्ते मानवास्तत्र निष्टप्तकनकप्रभाः ॥६-७-३१॥
In that place, humans are born free from disease and sorrow, always with joyful minds, and they shine like refined gold.
गन्धमादनशृङ्गेषु कुबेरः सह राक्षसैः। संवृतोऽप्सरसां सङ्घैर्मोदते गुह्यकाधिपः ॥६-७-३२॥
Kubera, the lord of the Guhyakas, enjoys his time on the peaks of Gandhamādana, surrounded by groups of celestial nymphs and demons.
गन्धमादनपादेषु परेष्वपरगण्डिकाः। एकादश सहस्राणि वर्षाणां परमायुषः ॥६-७-३३॥
In the regions of Gandhamādana and other places, the other Gaṇḍikas have a supreme lifespan of eleven thousand years.
तत्र कृष्णा नरा राजंस्तेजोयुक्ता महाबलाः। स्त्रियश्चोत्पलपत्राभाः सर्वाः सुप्रियदर्शनाः ॥६-७-३४॥
There, O king, the men were dark, endowed with brilliance and very strong, while the women were all very pleasing to look at, resembling lotus petals.
नीलात्परतरं श्वेतं श्वेताद्धैरण्यकं परम्। वर्षमैरावतं नाम ततः शृङ्गवतः परम् ॥६-७-३५॥
Beyond the blue region lies the white, and beyond the white is the golden region. This region is known as Airavata, and beyond it is Shringavata.
धनुःसंस्थे महाराज द्वे वर्षे दक्षिणोत्तरे। इलावृतं मध्यमं तु पञ्च वर्षाणि चैव ह ॥६-७-३६॥
O great king, when the sun is in the position of Sagittarius, it takes two years to traverse the southern and northern paths. However, the middle region, Ilavrita, takes five years.
उत्तरोत्तरमेतेभ्यो वर्षमुद्रिच्यते गुणैः। आयुष्प्रमाणमारोग्यं धर्मतः कामतोऽर्थतः ॥६-७-३७॥
The year is progressively enhanced by qualities compared to these: life span, health, through righteousness, desire, and wealth.
समन्वितानि भूतानि तेषु वर्षेषु भारत। एवमेषा महाराज पर्वतैः पृथिवी चिता ॥६-७-३८॥
O Bharata, in those years, the beings were endowed. Thus, O great king, this earth is adorned with mountains.
हेमकूटस्तु सुमहान्कैलासो नाम पर्वतः। यत्र वैश्रवणो राजा गुह्यकैः सह मोदते ॥६-७-३९॥
There is a very great mountain named Kailasa, known as Hemakuta, where King Vaishravana enjoys with the Guhyakas.
अस्त्युत्तरेण कैलासं मैनाकं पर्वतं प्रति। हिरण्यशृङ्गः सुमहान्दिव्यो मणिमयो गिरिः ॥६-७-४०॥
To the north of Kailasa and Mainaka mountains, there is a magnificent and divine mountain with golden peaks, made of jewels.
तस्य पार्श्वे महद्दिव्यं शुभं काञ्चनवालुकम्। रम्यं बिन्दुसरो नाम यत्र राजा भगीरथः ॥ दृष्ट्वा भागीरथीं गङ्गामुवास बहुलाः समाः ॥६-७-४१॥
Beside him was a great divine and auspicious golden sand. There was a beautiful lake called Bindu where King Bhagīratha, after seeing the Bhāgīrathī Ganges, lived for many years.
यूपा मणिमयास्तत्र चित्याश्चापि हिरण्मयाः। तत्रेष्ट्वा तु गतः सिद्धिं सहस्राक्षो महायशाः ॥६-७-४२॥
In that place, the sacrificial posts were made of jewels and the altars were made of gold. After worshipping there, the thousand-eyed Indra, renowned for his great fame, achieved success.
सृष्ट्वा भूतपतिर्यत्र सर्वलोकान्सनातनः। उपास्यते तिग्मतेजा वृतो भूतैः समागतैः ॥ नरनारायणौ ब्रह्मा मनुः स्थाणुश्च पञ्चमः ॥६-७-४३॥
After creating all beings, the eternal lord is worshipped in all worlds. He is of fierce energy, surrounded by assembled beings, including Nara and Narayana, Brahma, Manu, and Sthanu as the fifth.
तत्र त्रिपथगा देवी प्रथमं तु प्रतिष्ठिता। ब्रह्मलोकादपक्रान्ता सप्तधा प्रतिपद्यते ॥६-७-४४॥
There, the goddess Ganga, known as the three-path-flowing, is first established. Having departed from Brahmaloka, she proceeds in seven streams.
वस्वोकसारा नलिनी पावना च सरस्वती। जम्बूनदी च सीता च गङ्गा सिन्धुश्च सप्तमी ॥६-७-४५॥
The essence of wealth, the lotus, the purifying Sarasvati; the Jambu river, Sita, Ganga, and Sindhu are the seven sacred rivers.
अचिन्त्या दिव्यसङ्कल्पा प्रभोरेषैव संविधिः। उपासते यत्र सत्रं सहस्रयुगपर्यये ॥६-७-४६॥
The divine intentions of the Lord are beyond comprehension; this is indeed the arrangement where the assembly is worshipped at the end of a thousand ages.
दृश्यादृश्या च भवति तत्र तत्र सरस्वती। एता दिव्याः सप्त गङ्गास्त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुताः ॥६-७-४७॥
Sarasvati, both visible and invisible, is present everywhere. These seven divine rivers, known as the Ganges, are renowned across the three worlds.
रक्षांसि वै हिमवति हेमकूटे तु गुह्यकाः। सर्पा नागाश्च निषधे गोकर्णे च तपोधनाः ॥६-७-४८॥
In the Himalayas reside demons, while in Hemakuta there are secretive beings. Serpents and nagas are found in Nishadha, and ascetics in Gokarna.
देवासुराणां च गृहं श्वेतः पर्वत उच्यते। गन्धर्वा निषधे शैले नीले ब्रह्मर्षयो नृप ॥ शृङ्गवांस्तु महाराज पितॄणां प्रतिसञ्चरः ॥६-७-४९॥
The white mountain is known as the abode of both gods and demons. The Gandharvas reside in the blue mountain of Nishadha, while the Brahmarshis are in the blue mountain, O king. Shringavan is the place where the ancestors return, O great king.
इत्येतानि महाराज सप्त वर्षाणि भागशः। भूतान्युपनिविष्टानि गतिमन्ति ध्रुवाणि च ॥६-७-५०॥
Thus, O great king, these seven years are divided into parts, and the beings are settled, both moving and fixed.
तेषामृद्धिर्बहुविधा दृश्यते दैवमानुषी। अशक्या परिसङ्ख्यातुं श्रद्धेया तु बुभूषता ॥६-७-५१॥
Their prosperity appears in various forms, both divine and human. It is impossible to count, but should be believed by those who desire it.
यां तु पृच्छसि मा राजन्दिव्यामेतां शशाकृतिम्। पार्श्वे शशस्य द्वे वर्षे उभये दक्षिणोत्तरे ॥६-७-५२॥
O king, you ask me about this divine form resembling a hare. There are two years beside the hare, one to the south and one to the north.
कर्णौ तु नागद्वीपं च कश्यपद्वीपमेव च ॥६-७-५२॥
The ears, however, are indeed in Nagadwipa and Kashyapadwipa.
ताम्रवर्णः शिरो राजञ्श्रीमान्मलयपर्वतः। एतद्द्वितीयं द्वीपस्य दृश्यते शशसंस्थितम् ॥६-७-५३॥
The Malaya mountain, with its copper-colored peak, is a magnificent sight, O king. It appears as the second island, resembling the moon.
