The Arrangement of the Earth

Verse 1 (skanda.1.72.1)

॥श्रीनारद उवाच॥ बर्बरीतीर्थमाहात्म्यमथो वक्ष्यामि तेऽर्जुन॥ यथा बर्बरिका जाता शतश्रृंगा नृपात्मजा

||śrīnārada uvāca|| barbarītīrthamāhātmyamatho vakṣyāmi te'rjuna|| yathā barbarikā jātā śataśrṛṁgā nṛpātmajā

Shri Narada said: Now I shall tell you, O Arjuna, the glory of the Barbari tirtha.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.72.2)

कुमारिकेति विख्याता तस्या नाम्ना प्रकथ्यते॥ इदं कौमारिकाखंडं चतुर्वर्गफलप्रदम्

kumāriketi vikhyātā tasyā nāmnā prakathyate|| idaṁ kaumārikākhaṁḍaṁ caturvargaphalapradam

How the king's daughter, hundred-peaked, came to be known as "Barbarika," and became renowned by the name "Kumarika" — by her name this is told —

Verse 3 (skanda.1.72.3)

यया कृता पृथिव्यां च नानाग्रामादिकल्पना॥ इदं भरतखंडं च यया सम्यक्प्रकल्पितम्

yayā kṛtā pṛthivyāṁ ca nānāgrāmādikalpanā|| idaṁ bharatakhaṁḍaṁ ca yayā samyakprakalpitam

— this Kaumarika-khanda, bestower of the fruit of the four aims of life, by whom the arrangement of the earth's various villages and so forth was made, and by whom this Bharata-khanda was properly ordered.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.72.4)

॥धनंजय उवाच॥ महदेतन्ममाश्चर्यं श्रोतव्यं परमं मुने॥ कुमारीचरितं सर्वं ब्रूहि मह्यं सविस्तरम्

||dhanaṁjaya uvāca|| mahadetanmamāścaryaṁ śrotavyaṁ paramaṁ mune|| kumārīcaritaṁ sarvaṁ brūhi mahyaṁ savistaram

Dhananjaya said: O sage, this is a matter of great wonder to me, most worthy to be heard. Tell me the entire deeds of Kumari in detail.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.72.5)

कथं विश्वमिदं जातं कर्मजातिप्रकल्पितम्॥ कथं वा भारतं खंडं शुश्रूषेय सदा मम

kathaṁ viśvamidaṁ jātaṁ karmajātiprakalpitam|| kathaṁ vā bhārataṁ khaṁḍaṁ śuśrūṣeya sadā mama

How did this universe, ordered by karma and by species, come into being? And how did this Bharata-khanda come to be? I always wish to hear this.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.72.6)

॥नारद उवाच॥ अव्यक्तोऽस्मिन्निरालोके प्रधानपुरुषावुभौ॥ अजौ समागतावेकौ केवलं श्रृणुमो वयम्

||nārada uvāca|| avyakto'sminnirāloke pradhānapuruṣāvubhau|| ajau samāgatāvekau kevalaṁ śrṛṇumo vayam

Narada said: In this unmanifest, lightless void, Prakriti and Purusha, both unborn, came together as one — this alone have we heard.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.72.7)

ततः स्वभावकालाभ्यां स्वरूपाभ्यां समीरितम्॥ ईक्षणेनैव प्रकृतेर्महत्तत्त्वमजायत

tataḥ svabhāvakālābhyāṁ svarūpābhyāṁ samīritam|| īkṣaṇenaiva prakṛtermahattattvamajāyata

Then, stirred by their own natures — Svabhava and Kala — through the mere glance of Prakriti, the Mahat-tattva, the great cosmic principle, arose.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.72.8)

महत्तत्त्वाद्विकुर्वाणादहंतत्त्वं व्यजायत॥ त्रिधा तन्मुनिभिः प्रोक्तं सत्त्वरासतामसम्

mahattattvādvikurvāṇādahaṁtattvaṁ vyajāyata|| tridhā tanmunibhiḥ proktaṁ sattvarāsatāmasam

From the Mahat-tattva, transforming, the Ahamtattva, the ego-principle, arose; the sages declared it to be threefold — sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.72.9)

तामसात्पंच जातानि तन्मात्राणि वुदुर्बुधाः॥ तन्मात्रेभ्यश्च भूतानि वेशेषाः पंच तद्भवाः

tāmasātpaṁca jātāni tanmātrāṇi vudurbudhāḥ|| tanmātrebhyaśca bhūtāni veśeṣāḥ paṁca tadbhavāḥ

From the tamasic ego, the wise say, the five subtle elements arose; and from these subtle elements came the five distinct gross elements.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.72.10)

सात्त्विकाच्चाप्यहंकाराद्विद्वि कर्मेद्रियाणि च॥ एकादशं मनश्चैव राजसं च द्वयोर्विदुः

sāttvikāccāpyahaṁkārādvidvi karmedriyāṇi ca|| ekādaśaṁ manaścaiva rājasaṁ ca dvayorviduḥ

And from the sattvic ego, know, arose the organs of action and of perception, and the mind as the eleventh; the rajasic ego is understood as the cause of both.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.72.11)

चतुर्विशतितत्त्वानि जातानीति पुरा विदुः॥ सदाशिवेन वै पुंसा तानि दृष्टानि भारत

caturviśatitattvāni jātānīti purā viduḥ|| sadāśivena vai puṁsā tāni dṛṣṭāni bhārata

Thus, of old, it was known that twenty-four principles came into being, O Bharata; these were seen by the Person, Sadashiva himself.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.72.12)

बुद्बुदाकारतां जग्मुरंडं जातं ततः शुभम्॥ शकतोटिप्रमाणं च ब्रह्मांडमिदमुच्यते

budbudākāratāṁ jagmuraṁḍaṁ jātaṁ tataḥ śubham|| śakatoṭipramāṇaṁ ca brahmāṁḍamidamucyate

They assumed the form of a bubble, and from it an auspicious egg was born; this Brahmanda, cosmic egg, is said to be of an immense measure.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.72.13)

आत्मास्य कथितो ब्रह्मा व्यभजत्स त्रिधा त्विदम्॥ ऊर्ध्वं तत्र स्थिता देवा मध्ये चैव च मानवाः

ātmāsya kathito brahmā vyabhajatsa tridhā tvidam|| ūrdhvaṁ tatra sthitā devā madhye caiva ca mānavāḥ

Brahma is declared to be its Self; he divided it into three: above, the gods dwell; in the middle, humans;

Verse 14 (skanda.1.72.14)

नागा दैत्याश्च पाताले त्रिधैतत्परिकल्पितम्॥ ऐकैकं सप्तधाभूय ततस्तेन प्रकल्पितम्

nāgā daityāśca pātāle tridhaitatparikalpitam|| aikaikaṁ saptadhābhūya tatastena prakalpitam

and the Nagas and Daityas in the netherworld — thus it was arranged in three regions. Then each of these he further made sevenfold.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.72.15)

पातालानि च द्वीपानि स्वर्लोकाः सप्तसप्त च॥ सप्त द्वीपानि वक्ष्यामि श्रृणु तेषां प्रकल्पनाम्

pātālāni ca dvīpāni svarlokāḥ saptasapta ca|| sapta dvīpāni vakṣyāmi śrṛṇu teṣāṁ prakalpanām

The netherworlds, the continents, and the heavenly worlds — seven each. I shall now tell of the seven continents; hear their arrangement.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.72.16)

लक्षयोजनविस्तारं जंबूद्वीपं प्रकीर्त्यते॥ सूर्यबिंबसमाकारं तावत्क्षारार्णवावृतम्

lakṣayojanavistāraṁ jaṁbūdvīpaṁ prakīrtyate|| sūryabiṁbasamākāraṁ tāvatkṣārārṇavāvṛtam

Jambudvipa is declared to be a hundred thousand yojanas in extent, circular like the disc of the sun, and surrounded by the salt ocean of the same extent.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.72.17)

शाकद्वीपं द्विगुणतो जंबूद्वीपात्ततः परम्॥ तावता क्षीरतोयेन समुद्रेण परीवृतम्

śākadvīpaṁ dviguṇato jaṁbūdvīpāttataḥ param|| tāvatā kṣīratoyena samudreṇa parīvṛtam

Beyond that, Shakadvipa is twice the size of Jambudvipa, and is surrounded by an ocean of milk of the same extent.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.72.18)

सुरातोयेन दैत्यानां मोहकार्यर्णवेन हि॥ पुष्करं तु ततो द्वीपं द्विगुणं तावता वृतम्

surātoyena daityānāṁ mohakāryarṇavena hi|| puṣkaraṁ tu tato dvīpaṁ dviguṇaṁ tāvatā vṛtam

Beyond it is a landmass surrounded by an ocean of liquor, cause of delusion for the Daityas; then the continent Pushkara, twice again, surrounded by that same measure —

Verse 19 (skanda.1.72.19)

कुशद्वीपं द्विगुणतस्ततस्तत्परतः स्मृतम्॥ दधितोयेन परितस्तावदर्णवसंवृतम्

kuśadvīpaṁ dviguṇatastatastatparataḥ smṛtam|| dadhitoyena paritastāvadarṇavasaṁvṛtam

Then, twice again beyond that, Kushadvipa is remembered; it is surrounded all around by an ocean of curd.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.72.20)

ततः परं क्रौञ्चसंज्ञं द्विगुणं हि घृताब्धिना॥ ततः शाल्मलिद्वीपं च द्विगुणं तावतैव च

tataḥ paraṁ krauñcasaṁjñaṁ dviguṇaṁ hi ghṛtābdhinā|| tataḥ śālmalidvīpaṁ ca dviguṇaṁ tāvataiva ca

Beyond that is the one named Kraunchadvipa, twice again, surrounded by an ocean of ghee; beyond that, Shalmalidvipa, likewise twice again,

Verse 21 (skanda.1.72.21)

इक्षुसारस्वरूपेण समुद्रेण परिवृतम्॥ गोमेदं तस्य परितो द्विगुणं तावता वृतम्

ikṣusārasvarūpeṇa samudreṇa parivṛtam|| gomedaṁ tasya parito dviguṇaṁ tāvatā vṛtam

surrounded by an ocean in the form of sugarcane juice. Beyond it, Gomeda, twice again, surrounded all around by that same measure,

Verse 22 (skanda.1.72.22)

स्वादुतोयेन रम्येण समुद्रेण समंततः॥ एवं कोटिद्वयं पार्थ लक्षपंचाशतत्रयम्

svādutoyena ramyeṇa samudreṇa samaṁtataḥ|| evaṁ koṭidvayaṁ pārtha lakṣapaṁcāśatatrayam

by a delightful ocean of sweet water, all around. Thus, O Partha, all seven continents together with their oceans total twenty million, three hundred fifty thousand,

Verse 23 (skanda.1.72.23)

पंचाशच्च सहस्राणि सप्तद्वीपाः ससागराः॥ दशोत्तराणि पंचैव अंगुलानां शतानि च

paṁcāśacca sahasrāṇi saptadvīpāḥ sasāgarāḥ|| daśottarāṇi paṁcaiva aṁgulānāṁ śatāni ca

and five hundred ten yojanas in total extent.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.72.24)

अपां वृद्धिक्षयो दृष्टः पक्षयोः शुक्लकृष्णयोः॥ ततो हेममयी भूमिर्दशकोट्यः कुरूद्वह

apāṁ vṛddhikṣayo dṛṣṭaḥ pakṣayoḥ śuklakṛṣṇayoḥ|| tato hemamayī bhūmirdaśakoṭyaḥ kurūdvaha

The rise and fall of the waters is observed during the bright and dark fortnights. Beyond that, O descendant of Kuru, is a golden land of ten million yojanas,

Verse 25 (skanda.1.72.25)

देवानां क्रीडनस्थानं लोकालोकस्ततः परम्॥ पर्वतो वलयाकारो योजनायुतविस्तृतः

devānāṁ krīḍanasthānaṁ lokālokastataḥ param|| parvato valayākāro yojanāyutavistṛtaḥ

the playground of the gods; beyond that is the mountain named Lokaloka, ring-shaped, ten thousand yojanas in extent.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.72.26)

अस्य बाह्ये तमो घोरं दुष्प्रेक्ष्यं जीववर्जितम्॥ पंचत्रिंशत्स्मृताः कोट्यो लक्षाण्येकोनविंशतिः

asya bāhye tamo ghoraṁ duṣprekṣyaṁ jīvavarjitam|| paṁcatriṁśatsmṛtāḥ koṭyo lakṣāṇyekonaviṁśatiḥ

Outside this is terrible darkness, impossible to behold, devoid of any living being — thirty-five million, nineteen hundred thousand,

Verse 27 (skanda.1.72.27)

चत्वारिंशत्सहस्राणि योजनानां च फाल्गुन॥ सप्तसागरमानस्तु गर्भोदस्तदनंतरम्

catvāriṁśatsahasrāṇi yojanānāṁ ca phālguna|| saptasāgaramānastu garbhodastadanaṁtaram

and forty thousand yojanas, O Phalguna — such is the measure across the seven oceans; and next to that is the Garbhoda ocean.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.72.28)

कोटियोजनविस्तारः कटाहऋ संव्यवस्थितः॥ ब्रह्मणोंऽडं कटाहेन संयुक्तं मेरुमध्यतः

koṭiyojanavistāraḥ kaṭāhaṛ saṁvyavasthitaḥ|| brahmaṇoṁ'ḍaṁ kaṭāhena saṁyuktaṁ merumadhyataḥ

Ten million yojanas in extent, the outer shell of the cosmic egg is situated there; Brahma's egg is joined with that shell, with Meru at its center.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.72.29)

पंचाशत्कोटयो ज्ञेया दशदिक्षु समंततः॥ जंबुद्वीपस्य मध्ये तु मेरुनामास्ति पर्वतः

paṁcāśatkoṭayo jñeyā daśadikṣu samaṁtataḥ|| jaṁbudvīpasya madhye tu merunāmāsti parvataḥ

In all ten directions it should be known as five hundred million yojanas. In the middle of Jambudvipa is a mountain named Meru.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.72.30)

स लक्षयोजनो ज्ञेयो ह्यधश्चोर्ध्वं प्रमाणतः॥ षोडशैव सहस्राणि योजनानामधः स्थितः

sa lakṣayojano jñeyo hyadhaścordhvaṁ pramāṇataḥ|| ṣoḍaśaiva sahasrāṇi yojanānāmadhaḥ sthitaḥ

It should be known as a hundred thousand yojanas both below and above in measure; it extends sixteen thousand yojanas below the earth's surface.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.72.31)

उच्छ्रयश्चतुराशीतिर्द्वात्रिंशन्मूर्ध्नि विस्तृतः॥ त्रिभिः शृंगैः समायुक्तः शरावाकृतिमस्तकः

ucchrayaścaturāśītirdvātriṁśanmūrdhni vistṛtaḥ|| tribhiḥ śṛṁgaiḥ samāyuktaḥ śarāvākṛtimastakaḥ

Its height is eighty-four thousand yojanas, and its summit is thirty-two thousand yojanas in breadth; it is furnished with three peaks, its crown shaped like an inverted bowl.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.72.32)

मध्यशृंगे ब्रह्मवास ऐशान्यां त्र्यंबकस्य च॥ नैर्ऋत्ये वासुदेवस्य हेमशृंगं च ब्रह्मणः

madhyaśṛṁge brahmavāsa aiśānyāṁ tryaṁbakasya ca|| nairṛtye vāsudevasya hemaśṛṁgaṁ ca brahmaṇaḥ

On the middle peak is the abode of Brahma; in the northeast, that of Tryambaka; in the southwest, that of Vasudeva. Brahma's peak is golden;

Verse 33 (skanda.1.72.33)

रत्नजं शंकरस्यापि राजतं केशवस्य च॥ मेरुदिक्षु चतसृषु विष्कंभा गिरयः स्मृताः

ratnajaṁ śaṁkarasyāpi rājataṁ keśavasya ca|| merudikṣu catasṛṣu viṣkaṁbhā girayaḥ smṛtāḥ

Shankara's is jeweled; and Keshava's is silver. In the four directions of Meru are declared the supporting mountains —

Verse 34 (skanda.1.72.34)

पूर्वेण मंदरो नामदक्षिणे गंधमादनः॥ विपुलः पश्चिमो ज्ञेयः सुपार्श्वस्तु तथोत्तरे

pūrveṇa maṁdaro nāmadakṣiṇe gaṁdhamādanaḥ|| vipulaḥ paścimo jñeyaḥ supārśvastu tathottare

to the east, the one named Mandara; to the south, Gandhamadana; to the west, Vipula; and to the north, Suparshva.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.72.35)

कदंबो मंदरे ज्ञेयोजंबुर्वै गंधमादने॥ अश्वत्थो विपुले चैव सुपार्श्वेच वटोमतः

kadaṁbo maṁdare jñeyojaṁburvai gaṁdhamādane|| aśvattho vipule caiva supārśveca vaṭomataḥ

On Mandara is known the Kadamba tree; on Gandhamadana, the Jambu; on Vipula, the Ashvattha; and on Suparshva, the Vata, it is held.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.72.36)

एकादशशतायामाश्चत्वारो गिरिकेतवः॥ एतेषां संति चत्वारि वनानि जयमूर्धसु

ekādaśaśatāyāmāścatvāro giriketavaḥ|| eteṣāṁ saṁti catvāri vanāni jayamūrdhasu

These four mountain-standards extend eleven hundred yojanas each. On their summits there are four groves.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.72.37)

पूर्वं चैत्ररथं नामदक्षिणे गंधमादनम्॥ वैभ्राजंपश्चिमे ज्ञेयमुदक्चित्ररथं वनम्

pūrvaṁ caitrarathaṁ nāmadakṣiṇe gaṁdhamādanam|| vaibhrājaṁpaścime jñeyamudakcitrarathaṁ vanam

To the east, the one named Chaitraratha; to the south, Gandhamadana; to the west, Vaibhraja; and to the north, Chitraratha grove.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.72.38)

सरांसि चापि चत्वारि चतुर्दिक्षु निबोध मे॥ प्राच्येऽरुणोदसंज्ञं तु मानसं दक्षिणे सरः

sarāṁsi cāpi catvāri caturdikṣu nibodha me|| prācye'ruṇodasaṁjñaṁ tu mānasaṁ dakṣiṇe saraḥ

And there are also four lakes in the four directions; learn them from me — in the east, the one named Arunoda; in the south, the lake Manasa;

Verse 39 (skanda.1.72.39)

प्रत्यक्छीतो दकंनाम उत्तरे च महाह्रदः॥ विष्कंभगिरयो ह्येत उच्छ्रिताः पंचविंशतिः

pratyakchīto dakaṁnāma uttare ca mahāhradaḥ|| viṣkaṁbhagirayo hyeta ucchritāḥ paṁcaviṁśatiḥ

in the west, the one named Shitoda; and in the north, the Great Lake. These supporting mountains rise to twenty-five thousand yojanas,

Verse 40 (skanda.1.72.40)

योजनानां सहस्राणि सहस्रं पिंडतः स्मृतम्॥ अन्ये च संति बहुशस्तत्र वै केसराचलाः

yojanānāṁ sahasrāṇi sahasraṁ piṁḍataḥ smṛtam|| anye ca saṁti bahuśastatra vai kesarācalāḥ

and are a thousand yojanas thick, it is said. And there are many other mountains there, called the Kesara mountains.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.72.41)

मेरोर्दक्षिणतश्चैव त्रयो मर्यादपर्वताः॥ निषधो हेमकूटश्च हिमवानिति ते त्रयः

merordakṣiṇataścaiva trayo maryādaparvatāḥ|| niṣadho hemakūṭaśca himavāniti te trayaḥ

To the south of Meru are three boundary mountains: Nishadha, Hemakuta, and Himavan — these three.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.72.42)

लक्षयोजनदीर्घाश्च विस्तीर्णा द्विसहस्रकम्॥ त्रयश्चोत्तरतो मेरोर्नीलः श्वेतोऽथ श्रृंगवान्

lakṣayojanadīrghāśca vistīrṇā dvisahasrakam|| trayaścottarato merornīlaḥ śveto'tha śrṛṁgavān

They are a hundred thousand yojanas long and two thousand wide. And three to the north of Meru: Nila, Shveta, and Shringavan.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.72.43)

माल्यवान्पूर्वतो मेरोर्गंधाख्यः पश्चिमे तथा॥ इत्येते गिरयः प्रोक्ता जंबुद्वीपे समंततः

mālyavānpūrvato merorgaṁdhākhyaḥ paścime tathā|| ityete girayaḥ proktā jaṁbudvīpe samaṁtataḥ

Malyavan is to the east of Meru, and the one called Gandhamadana to the west. Thus have these mountains been declared, situated all around in Jambudvipa.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.72.44)

गंधमादनसंस्थाया महागजप्रमाणतः॥ फलानि जंबवास्तन्नाम्ना जंबूद्वीपमिति स्मृतम्

gaṁdhamādanasaṁsthāyā mahāgajapramāṇataḥ|| phalāni jaṁbavāstannāmnā jaṁbūdvīpamiti smṛtam

On Gandhamadana grows the Jambu tree, whose fruits are of the size of a great elephant; by its name, this is remembered as Jambudvipa.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.72.45)

आसीत्स्वायंभुवोनाम मनुराद्यः प्रजापतिः॥ आसीत्स्त्री शतरूपा तामुदुवोढ प्रजापतिः॥ प्रियव्रतोत्तानपादौ तस्याऽऽस्तां तनयावुभौ

āsītsvāyaṁbhuvonāma manurādyaḥ prajāpatiḥ|| āsītstrī śatarūpā tāmuduvoḍha prajāpatiḥ|| priyavratottānapādau tasyā''stāṁ tanayāvubhau

There was a Prajapati, the first Manu, named Svayambhuva. There was a woman named Shatarupa; that Prajapati married her.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.72.46)

ध्रुवश्चोत्तानपादस्य पुत्रः परमधार्मिकः॥ भक्त्या स विष्णुमाराध्य स्थानं चैवाक्षयं गतः

dhruvaścottānapādasya putraḥ paramadhārmikaḥ|| bhaktyā sa viṣṇumārādhya sthānaṁ caivākṣayaṁ gataḥ

Priyavrata and Uttanapada were his two sons. And Dhruva was the son of Uttanapada, supremely righteous.

Verse 47 (skanda.1.72.47)

प्रियव्रतस्य राजर्षेरुत्पन्ना दश सूनवः॥ त्रयः प्रव्रजितास्तत्र परंब्रह्म समाश्रिताः

priyavratasya rājarṣerutpannā daśa sūnavaḥ|| trayaḥ pravrajitāstatra paraṁbrahma samāśritāḥ

He, having worshipped Vishnu with devotion, attained an imperishable abode. To the royal sage Priyavrata were born ten sons.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.72.48)

सप्त सप्तसु द्वीपेषु तेन पुत्राः प्रतिष्ठिताः॥ जंबूद्वीपाधिपो ज्येष्ठ आग्नीध्र इति विश्रुतः

sapta saptasu dvīpeṣu tena putrāḥ pratiṣṭhitāḥ|| jaṁbūdvīpādhipo jyeṣṭha āgnīdhra iti viśrutaḥ

Three of them became renunciants, taking refuge in the Supreme Brahman; the remaining seven sons were established by him over the seven continents.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.72.49)

तस्यासन्नव सुताः पार्थ नववर्षेश्वराः स्मृताः॥ तेषां नाम्ना च ते वर्षास्तिष्ठंत्यद्यापि चांकिताः

tasyāsannava sutāḥ pārtha navavarṣeśvarāḥ smṛtāḥ|| teṣāṁ nāmnā ca te varṣāstiṣṭhaṁtyadyāpi cāṁkitāḥ

The eldest, renowned by the name Agnidhra, became the lord of Jambudvipa. He had nine sons, O Partha, who are remembered as the lords of the nine varshas.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.72.50)

योजनानां सहस्राणि नव प्रत्येकशः स्मृताः॥ मेरोश्चतुर्दशं खंडं गंधमाल्यवतोर्द्वयोः

yojanānāṁ sahasrāṇi nava pratyekaśaḥ smṛtāḥ|| meroścaturdaśaṁ khaṁḍaṁ gaṁdhamālyavatordvayoḥ

By their names those varshas remain marked even today. Each is remembered as measuring nine thousand yojanas.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.72.51)

अंतरे हेमभूमिष्ठमिलावृतमिहोच्यते॥ माल्यवत्सागरांतस्य भद्राश्वमिति प्रोच्यते

aṁtare hemabhūmiṣṭhamilāvṛtamihocyate|| mālyavatsāgarāṁtasya bhadrāśvamiti procyate

The central region of Meru — between the two mountains Gandha and Malyavan — standing on golden earth, is called here Ilavrita.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.72.52)

गंधवत्सागरांतस्य केतुमालमिति स्मृतम्

gaṁdhavatsāgarāṁtasya ketumālamiti smṛtam

The region between Malyavan and the ocean is called Bhadrashva. The region between Gandhamadana and the ocean is remembered as Ketumala.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.72.53)

श्रृंगवज्जलधेरंतः कुरुखंडमिति स्मृतम्॥ श्रृंगवच्छ्वेतमध्ये च खण्डं प्रोक्तं हिरण्मयम्

śrṛṁgavajjaladheraṁtaḥ kurukhaṁḍamiti smṛtam|| śrṛṁgavacchvetamadhye ca khaṇḍaṁ proktaṁ hiraṇmayam

Between Shringavan and the ocean is remembered the Kuru-khanda. And between Shringavan and Shveta is the region declared Hiranmaya.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.72.54)

सुनीलश्वेतयोर्मध्ये खंडमाहुश्च रम्यकम्॥ निषधो हेमकूटश्च हरिखंडं तदंतरा

sunīlaśvetayormadhye khaṁḍamāhuśca ramyakam|| niṣadho hemakūṭaśca harikhaṁḍaṁ tadaṁtarā

Between Sunila and Shveta they call the region Ramyaka. Between Nishadha and Hemakuta is the Hari-khanda.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.72.55)

हिमवद्धिमकूटांतः खण्डं किंपुरुषं स्मृतम्॥ हिमाद्रिजलधेरन्तर्नाभि खण्डमिति स्मृतम्

himavaddhimakūṭāṁtaḥ khaṇḍaṁ kiṁpuruṣaṁ smṛtam|| himādrijaladherantarnābhi khaṇḍamiti smṛtam

Between Himavan and Himakuta is remembered the region Kimpurusha. Between the Himalaya and the ocean is remembered the region Nabhi.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.72.56)

नाभिखण्डं च कुरवो द्वे वर्षे धनुपाकृती॥ हिमवांश्च गिरिश्रृंगी ज्यास्थाने परिकीर्तितौ

nābhikhaṇḍaṁ ca kuravo dve varṣe dhanupākṛtī|| himavāṁśca giriśrṛṁgī jyāsthāne parikīrtitau

The Nabhi-khanda and the two Kuru-regions are shaped like a bow; Himavan and Shringi mountain are declared to stand in the place of the bowstring.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.72.57)

नाभेः पुत्रश्च ऋषभ ऋषभाद्बरतोऽभवत्॥ तस्य नाम्ना त्विदं वर्षं भारतं चेति कीर्त्यते

nābheḥ putraśca ṛṣabha ṛṣabhādbarato'bhavat|| tasya nāmnā tvidaṁ varṣaṁ bhārataṁ ceti kīrtyate

Nabhi's son was Rishabha, and from Rishabha was born Bharata. By his name, this land is celebrated as "Bharata."

Verse 58 (skanda.1.72.58)

अत्र धर्मार्थकामानां मोक्षस्य च उपार्जनम्॥ अन्यत्र भोगभूमिश्च सर्वत्र कुरुनंदन

atra dharmārthakāmānāṁ mokṣasya ca upārjanam|| anyatra bhogabhūmiśca sarvatra kurunaṁdana

Here is the true attainment of dharma, artha, kama, and moksha; elsewhere, O descendant of Kuru, it is entirely a land of enjoyment only.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.72.59)

शाकद्वीपे च शाकोऽस्ति योजनानां सहस्रकः॥ तस्य नाम्ना च तद्वर्षं शाकद्वीपमिति स्मृतम्

śākadvīpe ca śāko'sti yojanānāṁ sahasrakaḥ|| tasya nāmnā ca tadvarṣaṁ śākadvīpamiti smṛtam

In Shakadvipa there is a Shaka tree a thousand yojanas in extent; by its name that land is remembered as Shakadvipa.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.72.60)

तस्य च प्रियव्रत एवाधिपतिर्नाम्ना मेधातिथिरिति

tasya ca priyavrata evādhipatirnāmnā medhātithiriti

Its ruler, a son of Priyavrata himself, was named Medhatithi.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.72.61)

तस्य पुरोजवमनोजववेपमानधूम्रानीकचित्ररेफबहुरूपविश्वचारसंज्ञानि पुत्रनामानि सप्त वर्षाणि

tasya purojavamanojavavepamānadhūmrānīkacitrarephabahurūpaviśvacārasaṁjñāni putranāmāni sapta varṣāṇi

His sons — Purojava, Manojava, Vepamana, Dhumranika, Chitraratha, Bahurupa, and Vishvachara — gave their names to the seven varshas.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.72.62)

शाकद्वीपे च वर्ष ऋतव्रतसत्यव्रतानुव्रतनामानो वाय्यवात्कमं भगवंतं जपंति

śākadvīpe ca varṣa ṛtavratasatyavratānuvratanāmāno vāyyavātkamaṁ bhagavaṁtaṁ japaṁti

In that varsha of Shakadvipa, those named Ritavrata, Satyavrata, and Anuvrata recite this mantra to the Blessed One whose nature is the Wind —

Verse 63 (skanda.1.72.63)

अंतः प्रविश्य भूतानि यो विभज्यात्मकेतुभिः॥ अंतर्यामीश्वरः साक्षात्पातु नो यद्वशे जगत्

aṁtaḥ praviśya bhūtāni yo vibhajyātmaketubhiḥ|| aṁtaryāmīśvaraḥ sākṣātpātu no yadvaśe jagat

"He who, having entered within beings, differentiates them by his own signs — may that indwelling Lord, in whose control the universe rests, directly protect us."

Verse 64 (skanda.1.72.64)

॥इति जपः॥ कुशद्वीपे कुशस्तंबो योजनानां सहस्रकः॥ तच्चिह्नचिह्नितं तस्मात्कुशद्वीपं ततः स्मृतम्

||iti japaḥ|| kuśadvīpe kuśastaṁbo yojanānāṁ sahasrakaḥ|| taccihnacihnitaṁ tasmātkuśadvīpaṁ tataḥ smṛtam

Thus the japa. In Kushadvipa there is a clump of Kusha grass, a thousand yojanas in extent; marked by that sign, it is remembered as Kushadvipa.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.72.65)

तद्द्वीपपतिश्च प्रैयव्रतो हिरण्यरोमा तत्पुत्रवसुवसुदानदृढकविनाभिगुप्तसत्यव्रतवामदेवनामांकितानि सप्त वर्षाणि॥ वर्णाश्च कुलिशकोविदाभियुक्तकुलकसंज्ञा जातवेदसं भगवंतं स्तुवंति

taddvīpapatiśca praiyavrato hiraṇyaromā tatputravasuvasudānadṛḍhakavinābhiguptasatyavratavāmadevanāmāṁkitāni sapta varṣāṇi|| varṇāśca kuliśakovidābhiyuktakulakasaṁjñā jātavedasaṁ bhagavaṁtaṁ stuvaṁti

The lord of that continent was Hiranyaroma, son of Priyavrata; his sons Vasu, Vasudana, Dridhaka, Vinabhi, Satyavrata, and Vamadeva gave their names to the seven varshas. And the classes there, named Kulisha, Kovida, Abhiyukta, and Kulaka, praise the Blessed Jatavedas.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.72.66)

परस्य ब्रह्णः साक्षाज्जातवेदासि हव्यवाट्॥ देवानां पुरुषांगानां यज्ञेन पुरुषं यजः

parasya brahṇaḥ sākṣājjātavedāsi havyavāṭ|| devānāṁ puruṣāṁgānāṁ yajñena puruṣaṁ yajaḥ

"You, O Jatavedas, are directly the carrier of oblations of the Supreme Brahman; through sacrifice, they worship the Purusha, who is the very limbs of gods and men."

Verse 67 (skanda.1.72.67)

॥इति स्तुतिः॥ क्रौंचद्वीपे क्रौंचनामा पर्वतो योजनायतः॥ योऽसौ गुहेन निर्भिन्नस्तच्चिह्नं क्रौंचद्वीपकम्

||iti stutiḥ|| krauṁcadvīpe krauṁcanāmā parvato yojanāyataḥ|| yo'sau guhena nirbhinnastaccihnaṁ krauṁcadvīpakam

Thus the hymn. In Krauncha-dvipa there is a mountain named Kraunchka, extensive in yojanas.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.72.68)

तत्र च प्रैयव्रतो घृतपृष्टिनामा तत्पुत्राममधुरुहमेघपृष्ठस्वदामऋताश्वलोहितार्णववनस्पतिइतिसप्तपुत्रनामांकितानि सप्त वर्षाणि

tatra ca praiyavrato ghṛtapṛṣṭināmā tatputrāmamadhuruhameghapṛṣṭhasvadāmaṛtāśvalohitārṇavavanaspatiitisaptaputranāmāṁkitāni sapta varṣāṇi

That mountain, pierced by Guha, is the mark of Krauncha-dvipa.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.72.69)

वर्णाश्च गुरुऋषभद्रविणदेवकसंज्ञाः

varṇāśca guruṛṣabhadraviṇadevakasaṁjñāḥ

There the ruler was Ghritaprishtha, son of Priyavrata; his seven sons — Amadhuruha, Meghaprishtha, Sudama, Ritashva, Lohitarnava, and Vanaspati — gave their names to the seven varshas.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.72.70)

आपोमयं भगवंतं स्तुवंति

āpomayaṁ bhagavaṁtaṁ stuvaṁti

And the classes there are named Guru, Rishabha, Dravina, and Devaka.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.72.71)

आपः पुरुषवीर्याश्च पुनंतीर्भूर्भूवःस्वश्च॥ तैः पुनरमीवघ्नाःसंस्पृशेतात्मना भुवः

āpaḥ puruṣavīryāśca punaṁtīrbhūrbhūvaḥsvaśca|| taiḥ punaramīvaghnāḥsaṁspṛśetātmanā bhuvaḥ

They praise the Blessed One who is of the nature of the Waters.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.72.72)

॥इति जपः॥ शाल्मलेर्नाम वृक्षस्य तत्रवासः सहस्रं योजनानां तच्चिह्नं शाल्मलिद्विपमुच्यते

||iti japaḥ|| śālmalernāma vṛkṣasya tatravāsaḥ sahasraṁ yojanānāṁ taccihnaṁ śālmalidvipamucyate

"May the Waters, possessed of the vigor of the Purusha, purifying Bhu, Bhuvah, and Svah, destroyers of disease — may they, through their touch, again purify the earth."

Verse 73 (skanda.1.72.73)

तस्याधिपतिः प्रैयव्रतो यज्ञबाहुस्तत्पुत्रसुरोचनसौमनस्यरमणकदेवबर्हिपारिभद्राप्यायनाभिज्ञाननामानि सप्तवर्षाणि

tasyādhipatiḥ praiyavrato yajñabāhustatputrasurocanasaumanasyaramaṇakadevabarhipāribhadrāpyāyanābhijñānanāmāni saptavarṣāṇi

Thus the japa. There stands a tree named Shalmali, extending a thousand yojanas; by that mark it is called Shalmali-dvipa.

Verse 74 (skanda.1.72.74)

वर्णाश्च श्रुतधरवीर्यवसुंधरइषंधरसंज्ञा भगवंतं सोमं यजंति

varṇāśca śrutadharavīryavasuṁdharaiṣaṁdharasaṁjñā bhagavaṁtaṁ somaṁ yajaṁti

Its ruler was Yajnabahu, son of Priyavrata; his sons named Surochana, Saumanasya, Ramanaka, Devabarhi, Paribhadra, Apyayana, and Abhijnana gave their names to the seven varshas.

Verse 75 (skanda.1.72.75)

स्वयोनिः पितृदेवेभ्यो विभजञ्छुक्लकृष्णयोः॥ अधः प्रजानां सर्वासां राजा नः सोमोस्तु

svayoniḥ pitṛdevebhyo vibhajañchuklakṛṣṇayoḥ|| adhaḥ prajānāṁ sarvāsāṁ rājā naḥ somostu

And the classes there, named Shrutadhara, Viryasa, Vasundhara, and Ishandhara, worship the Blessed Soma.

Verse 76 (skanda.1.72.76)

इति जपः गोमेदनामा प्लक्षोस्ति सुरम्यो यस्य च्छायया॥ मोदोवृद्धिं गतं लौल्याद्गोमेदं द्वीपमुच्यते

iti japaḥ gomedanāmā plakṣosti suramyo yasya cchāyayā|| modovṛddhiṁ gataṁ laulyādgomedaṁ dvīpamucyate

"He who, self-born, apportions his light to the ancestors and gods in the bright and dark fortnights, and rules below over all creatures — may Soma be our king."

Verse 77 (skanda.1.72.77)

तत्र प्रैयव्रत इध्मजिह्वः पतिस्तत्पुत्रसिवसुरम्यसुभद्र शांत्यशप्तमृताभयनामांकितानि सप्त वर्षाणि

tatra praiyavrata idhmajihvaḥ patistatputrasivasuramyasubhadra śāṁtyaśaptamṛtābhayanāmāṁkitāni sapta varṣāṇi

Thus the japa. There is a most beautiful Plaksha tree named Gomeda, in whose shade delight increases — hence this continent is called Gomeda.

Verse 78 (skanda.1.72.78)

वर्णाश्च हंसपतंगोर्ध्वांचनसत्यांगसंज्ञाश्चत्वारो भगवंतं सूर्यं यजंते

varṇāśca haṁsapataṁgordhvāṁcanasatyāṁgasaṁjñāścatvāro bhagavaṁtaṁ sūryaṁ yajaṁte

There the ruler was Idhmajihva, son of Priyavrata; his sons named Shiva, Suramya, Subhadra, Shanta, Ashapta, Amrita, and Abhaya gave their names to the seven varshas.

Verse 79 (skanda.1.72.79)

प्रश्रस्य विष्णुरूपंयत्तत्रोत्थस्य ब्रह्मणोऽमृतस्य च॥ मृत्योश्च सूर्यमात्मानं धीमहि

praśrasya viṣṇurūpaṁyattatrotthasya brahmaṇo'mṛtasya ca|| mṛtyośca sūryamātmānaṁ dhīmahi

And the four classes there, named Hamsa, Patanga, Urdhvanchana, and Satyanga, worship the Blessed Sun.

Verse 80 (skanda.1.72.80)

॥इति जपः॥ स्वर्णपत्राणि नियुतं योजनानां सहस्रकम्॥ पुष्करं ज्वलदा भाति तच्चिह्नं द्वीपपुष्करम्

||iti japaḥ|| svarṇapatrāṇi niyutaṁ yojanānāṁ sahasrakam|| puṣkaraṁ jvaladā bhāti taccihnaṁ dvīpapuṣkaram

"Having praised that form of Vishnu which arises there, of imperishable Brahman, and of Death — may we meditate upon the Sun as our own self."

Verse 81 (skanda.1.72.81)

तस्याधिपतिः प्रैयव्रतो वीतहोत्रनामा तत्पुत्रौ रमणकघातकौ

tasyādhipatiḥ praiyavrato vītahotranāmā tatputrau ramaṇakaghātakau

Thus the japa. A lotus with golden petals, a hundred and ten thousand yojanas in extent, shines blazing; by that mark this continent is called Pushkara.

Verse 82 (skanda.1.72.82)

तन्नामचिह्नतं खंडद्वयम्

tannāmacihnataṁ khaṁḍadvayam

Its ruler was Vitahotra, son of Priyavrata; his two sons were Ramanaka and Dhataka.

Verse 83 (skanda.1.72.83)

तयोरंतरालेमानसाचलो नाम वलयाकारः पर्वतो यस्मिन्भ्रमति भगवान्भास्कर इति

tayoraṁtarālemānasācalo nāma valayākāraḥ parvato yasminbhramati bhagavānbhāskara iti

The two regions are marked by their names.

Verse 84 (skanda.1.72.84)

तत्र वर्णाश्च न संति केवलं समानास्ते ब्रह्म ध्यायंति

tatra varṇāśca na saṁti kevalaṁ samānāste brahma dhyāyaṁti

Between the two of them is a ring-shaped mountain named Manasachala, around which the Blessed Sun revolves.

Verse 85 (skanda.1.72.85)

यद्यत्कर्ममयं लिंगं ब्रह्मलिंगं जनोर्चयन्॥ भेदेनैकांतमद्वैतं तस्मै भगवते नमः

yadyatkarmamayaṁ liṁgaṁ brahmaliṁgaṁ janorcayan|| bhedenaikāṁtamadvaitaṁ tasmai bhagavate namaḥ

There, there are no distinct classes; the people are all equal, and they meditate solely on Brahman.

Verse 86 (skanda.1.72.86)

॥इति जपः॥ नैषु क्रोधो न मात्सर्यं पुण्यपापार्जनेन च॥ अयुतं द्विगुणं चापि क्रमादायुः प्रकीर्तितम्

||iti japaḥ|| naiṣu krodho na mātsaryaṁ puṇyapāpārjanena ca|| ayutaṁ dviguṇaṁ cāpi kramādāyuḥ prakīrtitam

"Whatever mark, made of action, is worshipped by people as the sign of Brahman — to that Blessed One, apart from all distinction, solely non-dual — salutation."

Verse 87 (skanda.1.72.87)

जपंतः कामिनीयुक्ता विहरंत्यमरा इव॥ अथ ते संप्रवक्ष्यामि ऊर्ध्वलोकस्य संस्थितिम्

japaṁtaḥ kāminīyuktā viharaṁtyamarā iva|| atha te saṁpravakṣyāmi ūrdhvalokasya saṁsthitim

Thus the japa. Among them there is neither anger nor envy, nor the accumulation of merit or sin; their lifespan, in succession, is declared as twenty thousand years. Reciting their mantras, together with their women, they roam about like the immortals. Now I shall further declare to you the arrangement of the upper worlds.