This is a poetic description of the peak near Lake Mānasa and not of the trans-Himalayan Kailasa range. The climatic conditions of those days seem favourable for vegetation and human habitation.
Sūta said:
1. Kailasa is the abode of the devotees of the lord who are of meritorious souls. It has isolated, charming summits. It is full of vegetation. It has the lustre of the conch.
2-4. In the central ridge, as beautiful as Kunda flower there is the invincible city of the noble-souled Kubera,1 the presiding deity of wealth. It is a hundred Yojanas in length and fifty Yojanas in breadth. It is beautified with a series of bio mansions, set in diverse ways in gold and silver. It is very extensive, affluent and joyful.
1. This city is Alakā immortalised by Kalidasa in the Meghadūla. The city was either on or near the Kailăsa peak.
5. There is a charming assembly-hall in the centre, embellished with variegated pieces of gold. It is known as Vipulā because it abounds in archways and pillars.
6. The aerial chariot Pushpaka, decorated in jewels, is there. It is very charming and endowed with all desirable qualities.
7. As quick as the mind, it can reach any desired goal. It is decorated with clusters of gold pieces. It is the vehicle of Kubera, king of Yakşhas.
8. Lord Kubera the companion of Mahadeva lives there. He is the king of Yakşhas revered and honoured by all living beings.
9. Kubera, excellent among Devas, lives there along with Apsaras-s, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Siddhas and Chăranas,
10-11. Here the Lord of Wealth has eight treasures:2 Padma, Mahāpadma, Makara, Kacchapa, Kumuda, Shankha, Nala and Nandana. These being inexhaustible, divine great Treasures hoarding jewels are kept in the assembly-hall.
2. This list agrees with that in Mt. Purana (SKD.982 b). But normally. nine treasures of Kubera are enumerated (MW 548 C). Kharva from the list in MW is not mentioned here. The geographer M. Ali regards the Treasure-houses’ as the minor peaks of Kailasa (AGP 57).
12. Similarly this mount Kailasa is the abode of Indra, Agni, Yama, Devas and Apsaras-s where Kubera, the Lord of Yakshas, is the ruler.
13. The attendants of Devas first pay their respects to the king of Yakşhas and then proceed to their respective lords.
14-17. The great and charming water-reservoir ‘Mandakini’3 is there. It has abundance of water. Its embankment has steps plated with gold and studded with gems. There are golden lotuses with sweet smell, touch etc., great blue lotuses with leaves and petals as blue as lapis lazuli. The reservoir is beautified with lilies and lotuses of great fragrance. It appears splendid with the womenfolk of Yakşhas, Gandharvas and Apsaras-s. The waters of the reservoir are used by Devas, Dänavas, Gandharvas, Yakşhas, Rākşhasas and Pannagas (serpents).
3. Verses 14-18 show the author’s familarity with this topography.
18. Then, there are excellent rivers, the Nand, and the Alakananda. These rivers are endowed with excellent qualities and are used by celestial sages.
19-20. On the eastern peak of this lordly mountain,1 there are ten famous cities of Gandharvas endowed with prosperity. They are one thousand Yojanas in length and thirty Yojanas in breadth. They are decorated with a series of great mansions.
1. Verses 19-25; It appears that in those days people were fond of hills, The eastern region of Kailāsa still has a lot of sunshine, more fertile soil than its western region (AGP 57-58).
21. There are ten Gandharva kings as valorous as the blazing fires. They are named as Subāhu, Harikeśha, Chitrasena, Jara and others.
22-23. On the western peak of Kailasa, as lustrous as the Kunda flower, is the abode of each of the Yakşhas, eight Yojanas in length and forty in breadth. The place is resorted to by Siddhas and celestial sages. It abounds in various minerals and has long rows of lofty mansions.
24. There are thirty rich and flourishing abodes of Mahayakşhas that are joyous and prosperous all round.
25. Thirty prosperous kings of Yakshas (e.g.) Mahāmāli, Sunetra, Manivara and others rule over there.
26. Thus have I mentioned Yakşhas as lustrous as Väyu and Agni, whose ruler is the prosperous lord Kubera.
27-28. South of Himavat, stretching from the eastern to the western sea,2 hundreds of cities of. Kinnaras are established on the ridges abounding in hedges, bushes, fountains, caves and precipices.
2. Verse 27 gives a poetic yet accurate information about the Himalayan region, viz. location of the Himalaya to the south of the Kailasa range, its extension from sea to sea, having a large number of peaks, tracts and lower cultural level of inhabitants, though a great number of hermitages were there (AGP 58).
29. In the bosom of the lord of mountains with many peaks, men and women rejoice. The place is full of delighted and well-nourished people.
30. There are a hundred kings for these bright and powerful people. They are Druma, Sugrīvasainya, Bhagadatta and others.
31. It was here that the marriage of Rudra with the great goddess Umā took place. It was here that she, the great goddess, performed penance.
32. It was here that Rudra sported as a hunter. It was from here that the couple surveyed Jambūdvīpa.
33. The play-grounds of Rudra abounding in flowers of manifold colours and fruits of various shapes and sizes are here. These, with the different groups of living beings, are delightful.
34. It is the place where the beautiful Kinnara maidens, the slender-bellied, bright-eyed, joyous dwellers of the mountain caves sport about.
35. Similarly it is here that the long-eyed Yakşhas, groups of Apsaras-s and Gandharvas of charming physique move about with pleasure.
36. The famous garden of Uma is also there. It was here that Shiva assumed the form of half-man and half-woman.
37. Sharavana where the six-faced Karttikeya was born and whence enthusiastically he started to the Krauňcha forest, is also there,
38. Here itself is the chariot of Kärttikeya with lions yoked, which has a flagstaff and banners, and which sparkles with clusters of tinkling bells.
39. It was here on the ridge of the Krauñcha mountain where there are flower bushes of various colours, that Skanda, the destroyer of foes of Devas discharged his spear (shakti).
40. It was here that Guha, brilliant as the twelve suns, the enemy of Daityas, was crowned as the commander-in-chief of the army by the excellent Devas including Indra and Vişhnu.
41. O Brahmanas, these and other spots and abodes associated with Kumāra and abounding in living beings are also there.
42. Similarly, on the auspicious summit of Himavat abounding in living beings, there is a play-ground called Pandushila, of the destroyer of Krauncha.
43. On its beautiful eastern ridge is the residence of Siddhas. It is known as Kalápagrāma.
44-47. There are hundreds and thousands of hermitages of the sages Mrukanda, Vashishtha, Bharata, Nala, Viśhvāmitra, Uddalaka and others, of severe penance and purified souls, on the mountain Himavat. This excellent mountain, the abode of many Siddhas, is decorated by their temples and holy spots. Yakshas and Gandharvas move about here and there. Several groups of Mlecchas too live there. It abounds in mines of jewels. It is resorted to by different animals. It is the source of origin of thousands of rivers.
48. O Brähmanas, now listen to the special features of the western lofty mountain Nişhadha1, as it is being narrated wholly and precisely.
1. The southern ridge of the Hindukush which merged into Northern Karakorum and the Kunlun (AGP 58-59).
49. On the extensive central summit embellished with gold and minerals is the brightly illuminated abode of Vişhnu. It is resorted to by multitudes of Siddhas, sages, Gandharvas and crowds of Yakşhas, Apsaras-s.
50. There the great lord, the yellow-robed Vishņu, the bestower of boons, the eternal maker of the worlds, is served by Siddhas.
51-54. On its interior peak embellished with different minerals, on the ridge of the Nişhadha mountain where the rocky surface is smooth and charming, is the delightful city of Råkşhasas (called) Ulanghis. The city extends to thirty Yojanas. There are series of gardens there. The city cannot be thwarted by enemies. It is full of (Rakshasas) as cruel as poisonous snakes.
The palaces have golden turrets and pinnacles. The archways are made of molten gold. There are hundreds of lofty buildings with sloping roofs, in the main streets and thorough-fares.
The mansions and palaces (in it) are incomparable. They are embellished with pieces of molten gold. It is very extensive and always joyous.
55. South of the same mountain with many abodes of Daityas, there is an inaccessible city within the (belly of the mountain, with only a cave as the main entrance.
56. Similarly, on the western peak, on a lofty rock of Parijata, there are flourishing cities of Devas, Dānavas and Nāgas.
57. On the great ridge of the mountain, there is the rock called Somašhila where the moon descends on Parvan days.
58. The sages, Kinnaras and Gandharvas worship the glorious lord of stars, dispeller of darkness, the praiseworthy (uncensured) lord, the moon.
59. North of the same mountain, there is the spot known as Brahmapårśhva. It is the abode of Brahma, lord of Devas, It is well-known in heaven,
60. Siddhas, Yakşhas, Gandharvas and Dänavas worship the self-born lord with sacrifices, worships and prostrations.
61. Similarly, the abode of the Fire-god is famous in all the worlds. There the embodied god Fire is worshipped by Siddhas and Chāraņas.
62. Similarly, on the excellent mountain Trishrunga, to the north, is the city Hemacharita, well-known in the three worlds. This mountain is frequented by sages and Siddhas. It is the abode of different living beings.
63. There are three abodes of the three chief deities. O Brāhmaṇas, the abode of Nārāyaṇa is on the eastern peak, that of Brahma is in the middle and that of Siva is on the west.
64. These mighty lords of Devas, worthy of worship, are revered by Daityas, Dānavas, Gandharvas, Yakşhas, Rakşhasas and Nāgas.
65. Here and there, on the excellent mountain Trishrunga and adjoining places, are the beautiful cities of Yakşhas, Gandharvas and Nägas.
66-67. Similarly, to the north, on the divine mountain Jārudhi, which abounds in peaks and which is resorted to by Siddhasand sages, are the cities of Yakşhas, Kinnaras, Gandharvas, Nāgas, Rākşhasas and Daityas in hundreds and thousands.
68-72. On the central summit of that mountain resorted to by Siddhas, Devas and sages, embellished by jewels and minerals, there is a circular zone of thirty Yojanas. It looks splendid with expanses of full-blown lotuses, lilies, Saugandhika grass (or white water-lilies), night lotuses (opening at moon-rise). It is resounded with the chirping of and is beautified by birds. It is the haunt of various animals, beasts and birds. It is crowded with swans and ducks and is resorted to by inebriated bees. The place abounds in sweet, pure water used by Siddhas. There is a sacred lake called Anandajala.
73. The fierce lord of Nagas, invincible Chanda, with a hundred heads, the blessed one marked by Vishnu’s discus, resides here. There eight wonderful mountains are known as Devaparvatas.
74-77. Thus, the earth is full of cities, abodes, excellent and sacred lakes of holy waters, silver and jewel mountains having the lustre of gems, mountains of yellow orpiment, vermilion and gold, vast expanses of pure red arsenic shining in their red hue, and mountains of precious stones with minerals of variegated colours. There are very extensive mountains with the rivers, caves, ridges and precipices of variegated colours and many shapes.
78-79. These mountains are the abodes of Daityas, Räkshasas, saints, Kinnaras, serpents, Gandharvas of wonderful features, Siddhas, Charanas. These are resorted to by Gandharvas and divine damsels. They are extensive and are inhabited by meritorious persons. They appear like filaments of lotuses.
80. The circle of mountains of the Meru (region) is known as the Siddhaloka. It has various resorts for shelter. Meritorious persons frequent the place.
81. The images of Siddhas of no fierce activities, stand in the middle. That place (also) is known as heaven. Its order is thus stated.
82-83. This earth is declared as having four Dvipas. It is inhabited by people of all castes, statures, complexions and powers. They partake of different kinds of food and beverages. They wear different sorts of dress and ornaments. They have different emotional reactions.
84-85. The four big continents inhabited by many c are known as Bhadra, Bhārata, Western Ketumāla (i.e. Ketumala to the western side) and the Northern Kuru. They are the abodes of meritorious people. O Brāhmaṇa, this earth, in the shape of a lotus, and divided into four continents and many sub-continents has thus been described by me.
86. This wide earth along with the interspersed continents. mountains, forests, and groves is called Padmă (lotus-shaped). It is very extensive.
87-89. The worlds of Brahma, Devas, Asuras and human beings are three. That which is heated by the moon and the sun is known as the world (the earth). It has the qualities of smell, colour, taste, sound and touch. This lotus-shaped universe is known as Lotus in the Vedas. This is the accepted order in the Puranas as well.