06.013
Sanjaya said in the chapter of the Earth.
In the northern islands, O descendant of Kuru, a story is heard. O great king, listen to what I have heard and am speaking to you.
Here, there is an ocean of clarified butter, and another of curd-water. There is also an ocean of wine, and similarly, another ocean of hot water.
O King, all the islands are twice as large and are surrounded by mountains on all sides, O great king.
In the middle island, there is a great white mountain called Māna, which is a significant rock formation. To the west, there is a dark mountain resembling Nārāyaṇa, O king.
In that place, Keshava himself guards the divine jewels. By worshipping the lord of all beings, he ensured the happiness of the people.
In the island of Kusha, the Kusha pillar is revered in the center of the district. Similarly, in the island of Shalmali, the Shalmali tree is honored, O king.
In the Krauncha continent, the great Krauncha mountain, known as the abode of jewels, is always worshipped by the four castes, O great king.
O King, the Gomanda mountain is vast and full of all minerals. It is the eternal abode of the glorious, lotus-eyed Lord Narayana, who is always praised by the liberated souls.
In the island of Kuśa, O king, there is a mountain adorned with corals called Sudhāmā, which is invincible, and the second mountain is known as Hemaparvata.
The third mountain is named Dyutiman, a descendant of Kuru, followed by Kumuda. The fourth is called Puṣpavān, and the fifth is Kuśeśaya.
The sixth mountain is called Harigiri, and these six are considered the best among mountains. The distance between them is twice as much when divided.
The first year is designated for plants that grow from the ground, the second year for the bamboo circle, the third year is indeed for the chariot maker, and the fourth year is remembered for protection.
The steadfast fifth year, the sixth year dedicated to the sun, and the seventh year of Kapila, these are the seven clusters of years.
In this realm, gods, celestial musicians, and all beings, including the lord of the world, roam freely and find joy, and none among them faces death.
In that region, O king, there are neither thieves nor people of foreign descent. The entire population is predominantly fair-skinned and delicate, O prince.
O King, in the years that remain, I shall tell you, as it was heard, so listen attentively, O great monarch.
In the region of Krauncha, O great king, there is a great mountain called Krauncha. Beyond Krauncha lies Vamanaka, and beyond Vamana, it is enveloped in darkness.
O king, beyond the darkness lies Mainaka, the supreme mountain, and beyond Mainaka is Govinda, the supreme mountain.
O King, beyond Govinda, there is a dense mountain called Nibida. Beyond that, its breadth is twice that of Vamshavardhana.
"Listen to my words as I describe those countries there. The region of Krauncha is auspicious and pleasing to Vamana."
O scion of the Kuru dynasty, following the mind, the region is hot. Beyond the hot is the covering, and beyond the covering is darkness.
The region of sages is considered beyond the region of darkness; and it is said that the sound of the drum is beyond the region of sages.
O ruler of people, these lands, O great king, are predominantly white and are mingled with perfected beings and celestial singers, and are inhabited by gods and celestial musicians.
In the sacred place of Pushkara, there is a mountain called Pushkara, which is as precious as a jewel. It is said that the god Prajapati himself always resides there.
All the gods and great sages always worship him with words that are pleasing to the mind, O lord of the people.
Various gems indeed arise from Jambudvipa. In all those islands, O descendant of Kuru, they belong to the people.
For the learned ones, practicing celibacy, truthfulness, and self-restraint, along with maintaining health and longevity, results in a lifespan twice as long.
O King, among these islands, O Bhārata, there is one country mentioned where dharma is observed as one.
The Lord, as the supreme protector, always stands guard over these islands, O great king, with his staff raised.
He is the king and auspicious, O king, the father and grandfather. O best of men, he protects all subjects, whether dull or wise.
O descendant of Kuru, the people here always present and enjoy the food themselves, O great king, it is always prepared there.
Then beyond, there is a state of the world named Samā, which is seen as a four-cornered circle, consisting of thirty-three, O great king.
In that place, O descendant of Kuru, stand four world-renowned elephants of the directions, O best of Bharatas: Vāmana, Airāvata, and others, including Supratīka, O king, with their tusks broken.
I cannot measure its extent here. It is indeed immeasurable, always extending in all directions: horizontally, vertically, and downward.
O great king, the winds blow freely from all directions, and those elephants are not restrained by them.
With lotuses resembling lotuses and having great bodies and radiance, they slowly and constantly release the winds again and again.
O great king, the winds released by the elephants of the directions come here, and then the subjects stand firm.
Dhritarashtra spoke:
Sanjaya, you have indeed described the other expansion excessively. The arrangement of the islands has been shown. Please tell the answer, Sanjaya.
Sanjaya said:
O great king, I have spoken of the islands; now hear from me about the planets in truth. O best of the Kauravas, Svarbhanu is influential as long as this exists.
O great king, it is said that Swarbhanu, the planet, is circular and has a diameter of twelve thousand yojanas.
O sinless one, the wise Puranic sages say that by circumference and thirty-six-fold greatness, there are sixty hundreds of this.
O best of the Kurus, the moon is remembered to have a diameter of eleven thousand units and a breadth of fifty-nine units, O king, of the cool-rayed great soul.
O descendant of Kuru, the sun's diameter is eight thousand and two units, and then, O king, the circle measures thirty equally.
O King, it is said that the sun, described here as the most generous and great, is like a bird and fire, and this is the measure of its greatness, O sinless descendant of Bharata.
Rahu, with his immense power, eclipses the moon and the sun at the appropriate times. This is the summary, O great king.
Thus, O great king, everything has been explained to you as it truly is, through the eyes of the scriptures. Therefore, attain peace.
As I have seen and spoken, this world is set for its departure. Therefore, be assured, O Kaurava, regarding your son Duryodhana.
Upon hearing this, O esteemed Bharata, the noble prince becomes prosperous and is recognized as successful and approved by the virtuous. His lifespan, strength, valor, and brilliance grow.
O King, those who hear this on the occasion, having taken vows, find that their ancestors and grandfathers are pleased.
This is the land of India where we reside. In the past, all those virtues existed, as you have heard.
