Sūta said:
1 shall explain in due order the adjuncts of the four leading mountains. They are very charming at all times and seasons.
2. The place abounds in Särikäs (the bird Turdus Salicha), pea cocks, inebriated Chakoras, parrots, kingly bees and leopards all round.
3-4. The spots are everywhere charming with the melodious sounds of the Jivamjivaka (Chakora) birds, the sounds of Hemakas (?), the cooing notes of inebriated cuckoos and the bleating sounds
of goats. There are the charming sounds of the golden swans, sparrows and other pleasing chirping sounds.
5. The forest regions appear to be singing with the sweet humming sounds of the excessively lazy and intoxicated bees. They are resorted to by Kinnaras in some places.
6. The trees, shaken by the gentle winds, rain flowers there. They shine with their charming tender sprouts.
7. They are equipped with bunches and clusters of flowers and copper-coloured tender sprouts swinging gently due to the mild wind.
8. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, hundreds of shining pebbles and diverse minerals get mixed with the barks of trees and rinds of fruits scattered splendidly.
9-10. There are four divine play-grounds. They are splendid and charming. They are resorted to by Devas, Dänavas, Gandharvas, Yakşhas, Räkşhasas, Nāgas, Siddhas and Apsaras-s. Listen to their names.
11. On the eastern side is the forest named Chaitraratha, on the southern (mountain), the forest Nandana, on the western (mountain), the forest Vaibhrāja and on the northern mountain, the forest of Savitri (the Sun-god).
12. In these great forests (parks) charming adjuncts are fitted in due order, Here birds chirp melodiously.
13. Extensive holy centres and great sanctifying gardens are the residences of great Nägas and those are resorted to by noble souls.
14. Sweet and pure waters are auspicious and very pleasing. They are drunk by Siddhas, Devas and Asuras.
15. There are four great lakes shining with lotuses and lilies, with huge leaves, charming, fragrant and full-blown. These are umbrella-like in appearance and size. I shall mention their names.
16. On the east is the lake Arunoda,1 in the south is the Manasa lake; on the west is the Sitoda and on the north, Mahābhadra.
1. The lake Arunoda is the Kara Kul which lies on the north-eastern corner (here called ‘The East’) of the Pamirs (Meru) near the source Kizil-Su or the Sità river (AGP. 101). The Månasa is well-known. Sitoda is Victoria (in Pamirs) and Mahābhadra is Son Kul (AGP. 201).
17. The mountains to the east of Arunoda are being narrated by me in detail. Please hear.
18-20. On the east of Mandara are the mountains Shītānta,1 Kumuñja, the excellent mountain Suvira, Vikanka, Maņisila, Vrushabha the best of mountains, Mahanila, Ruchaka, Sabindu Mandara, Veņumān, Sumedha, Nişhadha, Deva-Shaila and others. They are the abodes of Siddhas.
1. The Kashghar range, the last longitudinal range of the Pamir region. It is a climatic barrier separating the cold plateau on its west. Hence its name Shitänta. Kumuñja is an offshoot of the Tien Shan. Mt. Vikanka (Kungur), Maņishila (Mustagh range)-these mountains are associated in a way to the river Sitā (Kizil-Su).
21. Understand that these great mountains lie on the south side of the Mānasa lake. Listen to their names as narrated by me.
22-25. The excellent mountains Triśhikhara, Shishira, Kalinga, Patanga, Ruchaka, Sanumān, Tämrābha, Vishakha, Shvetodara, Samūla, Vişhadhara, mount Ratnadhāra, Ekashriga, Mahāmüla, Gajaśhaila, Piśhāchaka, Pañchaśhaila, Kailasa and the excellent mountain Himavat lie on the southern side of Meru of divine splendour. These are excellent mountains of godly nature.
26. O excellent Brahmanas, I shall mention in due order, those excellent great mountains which lie on the western side of lake Sitoda.
27-29. Suvakşhas,2 Shikhishaila, Kala, Vaidūrya, Kapila, Pingala, Rudra, Surasa, Mahachala, Kumuda, Madhuman, Añjanimukuta, Krishna, Pandara, Sahasraśhikhara, Păriyātra and Triśhrunga. These are the leading mountains in the western region.
2. In this list, Trishrunga is a cluster of three peaks, viz. Vashan Tagh, Khan Thag and Chimtarga, all within a radius a radius of three miles. Añjani corresponds to the spurs of the Hissar range. (AGP. 93).
30. I shall name in due order, as before, the mountains on the north of the glorious lake Mahabhadra.3
3. Out of the list of mauntains, north of the lake Mahābhadra (lake Son Kul) the following mountains are identifiable: Vrushabha, Shataśhrunga etc. (Chatkal Range), Nila (Tien-Shan). Nāga (Saila) is the Farghana (i.e. former Kugart) range. Most of the mountains mentioned are thus traceable (vide GAP. p. 79-80). Jārudhi (Mt. Ula Tau) is the last mountain in this series of ranges.
31-32. Shankukūta, Mahāśhaila, Vruşhabha, Hamsa, Näga. Kapila, Indraśhaila, Sānumān, Nila, Kanakaśhrunga, Sataśhrunga Pushpaka, Meghaśhaila, the excellent mountain Virāja and the leading mount Järudhi. These are the mountains on the north.
33. Understand the valleys and canyons and lakes in the inter-spaces of these chief mountains.