Sūta said:
1. The natural characteristics of the Bhadrāśhvas have been narrated precisely. Now Listen to a detailed description of Ketumäla.2
2. Roughly Ketumāla corresponds to old Bactria, the basin of the Oxus. The latitudinal range Nişhadha (i.e. Hindukush-Kunlun) is to its south and the Nila (Zarafshan-Tien shan) range is to the north and to the west is the Western Sea (the Caspian). For the mountains, valleys, settlements on mountains and the rivers of Ketumala vide supra chs. 36,38,39,42.
2-3. It behoves you to hear in detail the description of the seven principal mountain ranges, countries and rivers in particular, situated in all the quarters to the west of the western lordly mountain Nişhadha.
4. The seven ranges of Kulaparvatas are Vishala, Kambala, Krishna, Jayanta, Hariparvata, Ashoka and Vardhamāna.
5. There are other hills by hundreds, thousands and crores of other massive and extensive mountains, the offshoots of the seven ranges of Kulaparvatas.
6. In and near them, there are lands and kingdoms where people of various castes and creeds dwell and which are govern. ed by many rulers.
7. They are famous on the earth, well-known by their names and valour. They are embellished (as it were) by the praises of their exploits (sung) by the people of the country they occupy.
8. Their kingdoms are established on even and uneven lands among mountains. They are known by their own respective and varied names.
9-15. The nationalities are:1 Gomanuşhya, Kopataka, Tatsukhas, Bhramara, Yutha, Mäheya, Achalakūtaka, Sumaula, Stāvaka, Krauncha, Kruşhnānga, Manipuñjaka, Kūțakambala, Maushiya, Samudråntaraka, Karambhava, Kucha, Shveta, Suvarnakataka, Shubha, Shvetănga, Krishnapada, Viha, Kapilakarnikā, Atyākarālā, Gojvālā, Hinana, Vanapataka, Mahisha, Kumudabha, Karavăța, Sahotkacha, Shukanāsas, Mahånāsa, Vanāsa, Gajabhūmika, Karañja, Mañjama, Väha, Kişhkindi, Pandubhūmika, Kubera, Dhūmaja, Janga, Vanga, Räjiva, Kokila, Vāchānga, Mahanga, Madhaureya, Surechaka, Pittala, Kāchala, Shravana, Mattakāśhika, Godāva, Bakula, Vanga, Vangaka, Modaka and Kala.
1. Some of the nationalities or sub-regions mentioned in vv. 9-15 are identified with their mediaeval names as follows:
Gomanuşhya (Gonaridh), Kapotaka (Murghab), Karambhava (Karmina), Kucha (Kuz-Panjdeb) -(AGP 98).
16. These blessed people drink the holy waters of the river Suvaprà resorted to by Nägas.
17-23. They also drink the waters of the rivers Kambalā, Tāmasi, Shyámā, Sumedhā, Bakula, Vikirņā, Shikhimālā, Darbhāvati, Bhadra, Shukanadi, Palasha, Bhima, Prabhañjana, Kāñchi, Kuśhāvatī, Dakshā, shākavati, Punyoda, Chandravati, Sumūla, Ruşhabha, Samudramála, Champāvati, Ekākṣhā, Puşhkala, Väha, Suvarna, Nandini, Kalindi, Bharati, Sītoda, Patika, Brahmi, Viśhālā, Pivari, Kumbhakārī, Rusha, Mahişhī, Mānuşhi and Daņdā. These are excellent rivers frequented by Devas, Siddhas and sages. Their waters are holy and auspicious and they dispel sins.
24. The land is flourishing with various countries. It is beautified by great rivers. It is full of many gems and jewels. It is perpetually rejoicing and splendid.
25. The whole continent is prosperous with wealth, food- grains, and other articles and abodes of human beings spread all around. This is the abode of pious persons. Thus the natural characteristics of Ketumala have been narrated to you.