Suta said:
1. O excellent Brahmanas, I shall describe the Plaksha dvipa1 precisely but succinctly. Listen to it as I narrate it exactly.
1. The dvipa derives its name from Plaksha tree (a fig tree) (v.26). indicates Mediterranean climate V.V. Iyer identifies Plaksha with Greece and adjoining lands in ‘The Seven Dvipas of the Puranas’, Quarterly Journ. of Mythic Society (London) XV. 62. 75. M. Ali identifies it ‘without hesitation’ as the basin of the Mediterranean (AGP 41). Placia, a town in Mysia is traceable to Plaksha.
2. Its extent is twice that of Jambudvipa. Its circumference (perimeter) is thrice its breadth. This briny sea is surrounded by that continent.
3. The people over there are righteous and have a great longevity. There is neither famine nor fear of old age and ailments.
4. There are seven mountains and seven rivers there also. They are splendid sources of precious stones. I shall mention their names.
5. In the seven continents, Plaksha and others, there are seven great and steep mountains established in all directions.
6. I shall first mention the seven great mountains in the Plaksha Dvipa. The first is Gomedaka resembling a cloud. The country too is named Gomedaka after the name of this mountain.
7. The second mountain named Chandra is full of medicinal herbs. For the preparation of Amruta (nectar) (gods) Ashvini Kumaras planted the medicinal herbs here.
8. The third is named Narada. It is an impassable mountain of great height. It was on this mountain that the sages Narada and Parvata were born.
9. The fourth mountain is called Dundubhi. On this mountain, formerly a drum was beaten by the Devas, the sound of which killed living beings. The Shalmala tree by its drum Rajjudara full of ropes slays the Asuras.
10. The fifth is named Somaka where the nectar was collected formerly by Devas. It was taken away by Garuda for his mother.
11. The sixth is named Sumanas and also Rushabha. The demon Hiranyaksha was killed by Varaha on this mountain.
12. The seventh mountain is Vaibhraja. It is great and glittering like crystal. Since it shines with rays, it is known as Vaibhraja.
13-14. I shall mention the names of the countries of these mountains in due order. The first country is Gomeda. It is a peaceful country (where fear is quelled.) The country of Chandra is Shikhara; that of Narada is Sukhodaya; that of Dundubhi is Ananda; that of Somaka is Shiva; that of Kshemaka is Rushabha; and that of Vaibhraja is Dhruva.
15. In these countries Devas, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and Charanas reside, and are seen playing about.
16. The rivers flowing into the sea, in this continent, are seven, one for each country. I shall mention the names of these rivers known as the seven Gangas.
17. These rivers along with thousands of their tributaries flow (towards the ocean). They are always in flood with abundant water, as the rain-god Indra showers (rains) profusely.
18-19. The people in these realms drink from these rivers and are delighted. The seven rivers are Shubha, shantavaha, Pramoda, Shiva, Ananda, Dhruva and Kshemaka. There the people are righteous. They observe the duties and rules of their castes and stages of life.
20. They are all free from ailments. They are strong and never suffer from illness. Among them there is no (influence of) Utsarpini (evolutionary) and Avasarpini1 (involutionary) eras.
1. This Purana uses the Jaina terms ‘Utsarpini’ and ‘Avasarpini’ for time cycles, the former indicating ‘ascending time cycle’ and the latter ‘descending one’ (MW, p. 105).
21. There is no division of time based on the peculiarities of the four Yugas. The condition of Treta Yuga is perpetually prevailing there.
22. In the five continents beginning with Plaksha, the activities of the seasons accord with those of the (particular) continent.
23. The people live for five thousand years. They are handsome, well-dressed, strong, and free from sickness.
24. In the continents beginning with Plaksha and ending with Shaka, happiness, longevity, strength, beauty, health and virtue are exquisite.
25. Plakshadvipa is large and glorious. It abounds in riches and foodgrains. It is endowed with divine medicinal herbs and fruits. It has many kinds of plants and herbs.
26. There are thousands of domestic and wild animals there. O excellent Brahmanas, the details of Plaksha Dvipa are covered by the details of Jambu Dvipa. (Just as Jambu Dvipa is named after Jambu tree) Plaksha Dvipa derives its name from the Plaksha tree thereof.
27-28. The deity (Shiva) is worshipped in the centre of this continent. The continent is surrounded by the sea of sugarcane juice. Thus, the situation of Plaksha Dvipa with its extensiveness (etc.) has been explained. Now listen to the description of Shalmala Dvipa in brief and in due order.
29. The third among the Dvipas is the excellent Dvipa Shalmala1. The ocean of sugarcane juice is encircled by the Shalmala Dvipa. It is twice Plaksha Dvipa in extent.
1. From its description in vv. 29-45, M. Ali identifies it with tropical Africa bordering on the Indian Ocean, including Madagascar-AGP 45.
30. There also, in its countries, there are seven mountains and rivers. They should be known as sources of precious stones.
31. The first mountain is named Kumuda. It is as refulgent as the sun. Its peaks are rocky and abound in all minerals.
32. The second mountain there is famous by the name Unnata. It envelops the heaven by its peaks, full of yellow orpiment.
33. The third mountain thereof is known as Balahaka. With its peaks of collyrium, it stands enveloping the sky.
34. The fourth is named Drona2 where the strong medicinal herbs Vishalyakarani (remover of darts or splinters) and Mrutasanjivani (that which re-suscitates the dead) are found.
2. Mount Drona is noted for its medicinal plants. VR vi. 50.31 locates it in Kshirasagara. De (p.58) identifies it with mount Doonagiri in Kumaun while it is located here in the Shalmaladvipa (land of silk cotton trees).
35. The fifth mountain is Kanka of excessive height. It is covered with trees and creepers endowed with divine flowers and fruits.
35. The sixth mountain is Mahisha resembling clouds. A fire, born of water and known as Mahisha, exists there.
37. The seventh mountain is called Kakudman. Indra himself showers innumerable gems there. This is the procedure to be performed in Prajapatya rite in honour of Prajapati.
38. There are seven mountains in the Shalmala Dvipa. They are bedecked in jewels, I shall now describe the seven auspicious countries (Varshas) associated with them. The first (Varsha) is Shveta connected with mount Kumuda, and the second is Lohita connected with Mt. Unnata.
39-40. The Varsha associated with Balahaka and Jimuta and that with Drona is Harita, that of Kanka is Vaidyuta, that of Mahisha and that of Kakuda is Suprabha. These are the seven countries and their seven mountains. Now know the rivers there.
41. Pani, Toya, Vitrushna, Chandra, Shukra, Vimochani and the seventh (river) Nivrutti are the rivers of their respective countries.
42. There are hundreds and thousands of adjacent rivers which cannot be enumerated. They are to be believed (taken for granted) by one who wishes to know them.
43-44. Thus, the locus of Shalmala Dvipa has been described to you. Like the great Plaksha tree in Plaksha Dvipa, there is a Shalmali (silk-cotton) tree in the middle of the Dvipa which is named after it. It is surrounded by the ocean of wine equal to Shalmala (dvipa) in extent.
45. O knowers of Dharma, now listen to the description of the people in the northern continents. Understand as I relate to you in accordance with what I have heard.
46. I shall describe the fourth continent Kusha Dvipa1 succinctly. The ocean of wine is surrounded on all sides by this continent (Kusha).
1. After detailing the main features of Kushadvipa, M. Ali identifies it with tropical grasslands such as Iran, Iraq and the fringing lands of the hot desert (AGP 40-41).
47. It is twice the extent of Shalmala. There are seven mountains there. Listen as they are being described to you.
48-50. The first mountain in the Kusha Dvipa is known as Vidrumoccaya; the second is Hema; the third is Dyutiman, a mountain resembling clouds; the fourth is Pushpavan; the fifth is Kusheshaya; the sixth is Hari; and the seventh is Mandara. The word Manda means waters and Mandara means that which splits the waters.
51-52. The distance between these mountains is twice their magnitude. The first country is Udbhida; the second is Venumandala; the third is Svairathakara, the fourth is Lavana; the fifth is Dhrutimat; the sixth is Prabhakara; and the seventh is Kapila. These are the seven countries and mountains.
53. In these Varshas Devas, Gandharvas, Prabhas, Prajapatis are seen residing and sporting about.
54. In these countries there are neither robbers nor Mlecchas. The people are mostly fair in complexion. They die according to seniority in age.
55. Here also are the seven rivers which are auspicious and which dispel sins. The chief of them are Pavitra, Santati, Dyutigarbha and Mahi.
56. Hundreds and thousand of others are known as their branches. They Now on as indra showers in plenty.
57. The Kusha Dvipa is surrounded by the ocean of ghee. In extent it is equal to Kusha Dvipa.
58. Thus the position of Kusadvipa has been described to you. Now I shall explain the extent of Krauncha Dvipa.1
1. M. Ali examines the description of this Dvipa from different sources and identifies it with the basin of the Black Sea (AGP, 45-46).
59. It is remembered to have twice the area of Kusha Dvipa. The ocean of ghee is encircled by this continent.
60. In this continent the chief mountain is Krauncha. The next after Krauncha is Vamana and the next after Vamana is Andhakara.
61. After Andhakara comes Divavrut. After Divavrut comes Divinda.
62. After Divinda is the great mountain Pundarika. After Pundarika is the mountain Dundubhisvana.
63. These are seven bejewelled mountains of Krauncha Dvipa. They abound in fruit trees and a number of creepers.
64. The Varsha mountains are twice in height as compared with the previous ones. Now I shall mention the names of the Varshas. Listen and understand them.
65-66. The main land-tract of the Krauncha mountain is Kushalin; that of Vamana is Manonuga. Beyond Manonuga is the third land tract Ushna. Beyond Ushna is Pravaraka and beyond Pravaraka is Andhakara. Beyond Andhakara is Muni Desha.
67. Beyond Muni Desha is Dundubhisvana full of Siddhas and Charanas. There the people are mostly fair in complexion.
68. There also the rivers are seven in number one for each country. They are Gauri, Kumudvati, Sandhya, Ratri, Manojava, Khyati and Pundarika. These seven appear as Ganga divided into seven rivers.
69. Other rivers flow into these or nearby and meet the ocean. They are large and flow with great volume of water.
70. The glorious Krauncha Dvipa is surrounded by the ocean of whey which is equal to Kraunchadvipa in extent.
71-72. Thus, Plaksha and other continents have been briefly described to you. It is impossible to describe the growth, decay (creation and annihilation) and other details of these continents even in hundreds of years.
73. I shall henceforth explain the features of the entire Shaka Dvipa1 exactly as they are. Listen as I recount them precisely.
1. M. Ali identifies this with the monsoon lands of Asia where teak abounds, viz. Malaya, Siam, Indi-China (AGP 39), while De (pp. 172-173) identifies it with Tartary including Turkestan in central Asia.
74. Its extent is twice that of Krauncha Dvipa. It encircles the ocean of whey.
75. All the countries there are very sacred. People die only after a long life. There is neither famine nor fear of old age and sickness.
76. There also are seven bejewelled mountains which as well as the rivers are the sources of gems and precious stones. Listen to their names.
77. The first mountain, called Udaya, extends to the east. It is golden and is the abode of divine sages and Gandharvas. Hence it is like Meru.
78-79. Clouds rise and pass pouring down showers. There is a great mountain Jaladhara where Indra showers plenty of water. There in the rainy season people get ample showers.
80. There is mountain Raivataka raised by god Brahma. It is here that the Star Revati is always established in the heavens.
81. Beyond that there is a very great mountain called Shyama. It was due to it that people got dark complexion from the outset.
82. Next is the massive mountain Astagiri, full of silver. The next mountain is Ambikeya, an impassable snowclad mountain.
83. Next to Ambikeya is Ramya where all medicinal herbs grow. It is called Kesari and the winds blow on it.
84-86. Listen to the names of the countries of these mountains in due order. The country (Varsha) of the mountain Udaya is Udaya well known as Jalada. The second Varsha, that of Jaladhara is Sukumara; that of Raivata is Kaumara; that of Shyama is Manicaka; the splendid Varsha of Asta is Kusumottara; of Ambikeya is Modaka; and that of Kesaras is Mahadruma.
87. The extent, magnitude, length and breadth of this continent are as those of Shaka dvipa (?) A great tree called Shaka (teak) grows in its centre and is worshipped by the people.
88. Devas, Gandharvas, Siddhas and Charanas are visible and play about here in the midst of people.
89. The people (in the countries thereof) are virtuous and observe (the distinctive rules of) their respective four castes (Varnas). There are seven rivers flowing to the sea, one in each Varsha and these seven rivers are remembered as the seven streams of Ganga.
9o-91. The first river is known by the names Sukumari, Garga, Shivajala, and Anutapta, the second is known as Kumari, Siddha and Sati; the third is designated as Nanda and Parvati.
92. The fourth is Shivetik, which is also remembered as Tridiva; the fifth is known as Ikshu as well as Kratu.
93. These seven great Gangas of auspicious waters sanctify all the people residing in Shaka dvipa every year.
94. There are thousands of others rivers joining them. They have abundant of waters since Indra showers rain profusely.
95. It is impossible to enumerate their names and magnitudes. These excellents river are very holy. The joyous people drink from them.
96-97. O Shamshapayana, this continent is very extensive. It is like a wheel, covered by rivers and cloud-like mountains wonderful and variegated with minerals and decorated with jewels and corals. The cities are of various shapes. They abound in flourishing and prosperous people.
98. The continent is full of trees laden with flowers and fruits. It is flourishing with wealth and foodgrains. It is surrounded by the ocean of milk equal in size to it.
99-100. The land-tracts amongst those mountains are seven in number. They are holy and splendid. The people there of abide by the rules of castes and stages of life and admit no mixture of castes or stages of life. Since they do not swerve from the path of virtue, they are invariably happy.
101. They are neither greedy nor deceptive and neither jealous nor malicious. There is no loss of fortitude nor adverse results. Everything is natural with them.
102. No tax is raised. No punishment is meted out. There is none to punish. They know of virtue by natural righteousness. They protect one another.
103. This much and no more can be mentioned about the residents of this continent.
I shall now describe the seventh continent Pushkara. Please listen.
104. The ocean of milk is surrounded by Pushkara Dvipa,1 which is twice the Shaka Dvipa in extent.
1. M. Ali identifies Pushkara Dvipa with Japan, Manchuria and south eastern Siberia (AGP 42), while De (p. 163) regards it as the portion Central Asia north of the Oxus (including western Tartary). He regar Pushkara as the Sanskritisation of Bhushkara or Bokhara.
105. There is only one glorious mountain called Mahashila having lofty peaks full of variegated jewels.
106. This great mountain with wonderful and variegated ridges and precipices stands in the eastern half of the Dvipa. Its circumference is twentyfive thousand Yojanas.
107-109. Its height is thirty-four thousand Yojanas. The excellent Manasa mountain encircles half this Dvipa. It stands on the seashore looking like the newly risen moon. Its height is fifty thousand Yojanas. Its girth too is so much. This mountain Manasa is on the western half of the Dvipa.
110. In fact the two mountains constitute but a single mountain with peaks and ridges divided into two. It is surrounded by the ocean of fresh water.
111-112. The whole mountain-range spreads over the full extent of Pushkara Dvipa. There are two holy and splendid provinces in that Dvipa on either side of the mountain Manasa. The Mahavita Varsha is exterior to the mountain while Dhataki is the interior.
113. The people there live upto ten thousand years with splendid health and happiness. They have attained mental Siddhis.
114. In the two countries (Varshas) the forms and features and the span of life are similar. There is no distinction of high and low among them. In appearance and conduct of life all of them are equal.
115. None defrauds (anyone); none is jealous. There are neither thieves nor fear nor imprisonment nor punishment, nor greed nor illegal acceptance of gifts.
116. There is neither truth nor falsehood nor virtue nor evil nor the rules of caste nor the stages of life. There is no trade, no cattle breeding, no business enterprise.
117. The lore of the three Vedas, the system of civil and military administration, acts of service to others in return for payment, wounding others with harsh words or sharp implements-these are absent in the two Varshas of Pushkara.
118. There are no rivers, no rainfall, neither bitter cold nor oppressive heat, no vegetation, no water, no mountains, no rivulets.
119-120. The season is perpetually the same as in Northern Kurus. The people are happy, devoid of old age and exhaustion. This is the condition in Dhataki and Mahavita countries. Thus, the entire situation in Pushkara Dvipa has been nararted.
121. Pushkara is surrounded by the ocean of sweet water equal in extent to that continent.
122. The seven continents are encircled by the seven oceans. The ocean immediately adjacent to a continent encircles it.
123. The relative increase in the size of the continents and oceans should be known thus. Since they have abundant increase of waters, the oceans are called Samudras.
124. Since in the land-tracts the four groups of people and sages live, they are called Varshas. They afford happiness to the people.
125. The word Rusi is derived from the root √Rush. The root √Vrush means the continuance of energy. Since the land-tracts afford continuance of energy they have the designation Varsha.1
1. A Popular etymology of Varsha – ‘a continent’.
126. In the bright half, when the moon waxes, there is high tide in the ocean. When the moon wanes in the dark half and sets there is low tide.
127. In the bright fortnight, the ocean gets filled with water by itself. In the dark fortnight, the ocean recedes by itself.
128. Just as water in a cooking pot boils up by its contact with fire, similarly water in the vast ocean swells in quantity and magnitude.
129. The increase and decrease of water is of fixed quantity, neither more nor less in the bright and dark fortnights at the rise and setting of the moon. The increase and decrease in the ocean again is the result of the waxing and the waning of the moon.
130. It is observed that the increase and decrease of the level of water in the ocean is upto five hundred and ten angulas. This (increase and decrease) is seen (occurring) on the parvan days.
131. The term dvipa (island) is so called on account of waters being on either side.1 They are surrounded on all sides. As it is a store-house of waters, the ocean is called Udadhi.
1. Verses 131-105 give explanatory etymologies of dvipa ‘an island’, udadhi ‘Sea’, giri, parvata ‘a mountain’ and explain the names on Dvipas.
132. Mountains without knots and peaks are Giris. Those with knots are Parvatas. Hence in the Plaksha Dvipa, Gomeda, having knots is called a Parvata.
133. The great Shalmali (silk-cotton) tree is worshipped in the Shalmala Dvipa. In the Kusha Dvipa, a stump of Kusha grass is worshipped. Hence the continent is called by its name (viz. Kusha).
134. In the Krauncha Dvipa, the mountain Krauncha stands in its centre. The tree in Shaka Dvipa is Shaka (teak). (Hence) the dvipa (continent) is named after it.
135. In the Pushkara Dvipa, the Nyagrodha tree is worshipped by the people. The great lord in Pushkara is Brahma, the lord of the three worlds.
136. Brahma, the Prajapati, lives there along with Sadhyas. The Devas numbering thirtythree, along with sages worship him. The most excellent of the Devas is worshipped there.
137-138. Various gems and precious stones are obtained in Jambu Dvipa. In all these continents people observe truth, celibacy and self-control. Thereby, their health and span of life is increased twofold.
139. In the above-mentioned two sub-continents of Pushkara Dvipa, god Brahma himself protects the subjects who are (as if) adorned with good people.
140. The supreme ruler Brahma, the lord of three worlds, holds the rod (Danda) of chastisement (to govern them). He is their lord, Vishnu, Shiva, father and grandfather.
141. (Their) food comes to them automatically without any effort on their part. The people always take that nutritious food of six tastes.
142. The great ocean of sweet water encircles the Pushkara Dvipa on all sides.
143. There is a great world beyond it. The ground is golden and flat as if it is a single slab. It is twice (?) in extent.
144. Beyond that there is a mountain. At the end of the boundary, there is a circular horizon. It is both lighted (on the hither-part) and dark (on the rest). It is called Lokaloka.
145. Its height is ten thousand Yojanas. Its hitherward side is bright and its side beyond is dim (dark).
146. Its breadth is as much (as its height). It can rise above the earth (to any height) according to its will.
The word ‘loka’ in ‘aloka’ is understood in the sense of illumination (the bright interior side) and indicates the world. And ‘Niraloka’ is the dark, external side.
147. The illuminated part extends to (the world or the area where people live). Beyond that, it is surrounded by water. The Niraloka (the dark part and portion beyond) covers he Cosmic Egg.
148-149. Within the Cosmic Egg there are the worlds, viz. Bhur i.e. the earth consisting of seven continents, Bhuvar, Svar, Mahar, Jana, Tapas and Satya. This much constitutes the world which can be known. Beyond that, there is the end of the world.
150-151. The cosmos is shaped like the new moon on the western horizon (at the beginning of the bright half) when the sun is in the Aquarius Zodiac.
There are thousands of crores Cosmic Eggs like this. above, below and on all sides. They are caused and pervaded by the seven effects of Prakruti (viz. the elements, Maha! and Bhutadi).
152. They support one another. The later is ten times bigger than the former. They are caused and pervaded by one another.1
1. Verses 152ff give the Puranic concept of the seven protective ‘sheaths’ round the universe (Brahmanda)? The influence of Sankhya categories is obvious.
153. All round this Cosmic Egg, there is a ‘solid’ sea. With its waters it holds the Cosmic Egg.
154. Outside the solid water, on all its sides and above, the ‘solid’ fire holds and supports it.
155. The fire stands like an iron ball circular and globular in shape. It is supported and held all round by solid wind. The solid wind supports the ether as well.
156. Bhutadi (Cosmic Ego) holds and supports the Ether. Mahat (Cosmic Intellect) supports the Cosmic Ego and is itself pervaded and supported by the infinite Unmanifest (Prakruti).
157. The infinite Unmanifest (Prakruti) is subtle and divided into ten. It is infinite, immobile (with no Soul). It has neither beginning nor end.
158. It is beyond everything. It is terrible. It has no support. It is free from ailments. It is many thousand Yojanas in distance. It is covered with darkness (Tamas).
159. It is darkness itself. It is devoid of light. It is unlimited. It does not occupy space. Even Devas cannot comprehend it. It is devoid of activity.
160. There is a great, famous, refulgent shrine of Shiva at the end of darkness and the Ether and hence at the very border. It is well-known for its splendour.
161. They say that spot is inaccessible even to Devas. It lies in the premises of the great lord of Devas.
162. In the universe, the worlds getting the light and heat of the sun and the moon, are called Lokas. There is no doubt about this.
163. There are seven worlds beneath and seven above the Earth. O Brahmanas, there are seven pathways of the wind and god Brahma’s abode.
164. From Patala to heaven there is a fivefold course. This is the extent of the Universe. This is the ocean of the worldly existence.
165. The activity of the Universe with neither beginning nor end goes on like this arising from different types and groups of people. This unsteady activity of the Universe is really wonderful.
166. The physical creation of this is very extensive. It cannot be comprehended even by the blessed Siddhas who know things even beyond the scope of sense-organs.
167-168. O excellent Brahmanas! There is no limit, decline or end to the magnitude of (the elements, viz.) Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Mahat, Tamas, the infinite, omnipresent Lord Ishvara. While enumerating the names of the Lord (Shiva), I have mentioned this before.
169. The Lord who is called by the name Shiva has been glorified to you, He pervades everything and is worshipped in all places.
170. He is worshipped on the earth, in rasatala, ether, wind, fire, seas and heaven. There is no doubt in this.
171. He is to be realized through penance as the Lord of great splendor. This great God, the great Yogin has divided himself in various forms. He, the Lord of the worlds, is worshipped in various ways in all the worlds.
172. Thus the worlds orginating from one another support one another by the relationship of the supporter and the supported or as the effects of their cause.
173. The elements earth etc. are the evolutes covered up by one another. They enter into one another, the lesser into the greater.
174. Since they penetrate one another, they have attained stability. Formerly they were without special features. But by intermingling they became possessed of speciality. The earth, fire and the wind, these three are separately and accurately ascertained.
175. Their accurate ascertainment is specially noticed by the decline in attributes and essence. The accurate determination of the rest is not observable due to their subtleness.
176. Aloka is beyond all the Bhutas (elements). They are discernible separately only in the illuminated Ether (Akasha).
177. Just as in a big vessel smaller vessels are placed and are mutually supported by it though separate from each other. similarly, the separateness of the elements is internal within the illuminated Ether (Akasha).
178. All these four elements are consecutively bigger, the later bigger than the former. The creation can function as long as the elements exist.
179. The perfection (creation) of creatures is regarded as being within (i.e. based on) Bhutas (elements). The creation of effects cannot take place without Bhutas.
180. The Bhutas being of the nature of effects are restricted. The entities e.g. the Mahat (Cosmic Intellegence etc.) are of the nature of causes.
181. Thus, O Brahmanas, the arrangement of this earth with seven continents and oceans has been explained to you along with their divisions precisely as they are.
182-183. The cosmic form of Pradhana (the Unmanifest Nature) which has been described (lit. enumerated) to you by its extents and zones, is only a partial modification. Its cosmic form is the abode of the Lord to whom belongs the whole Universe. In this way, the elements have interpenetrated each other.
184. Only this much of established arrangement (of the Universe) can be explained by me. O King, only this much need be heard in regard to the constitution and arrangement of the world.
185. The seven Prakrutis support one another. There are many Prakrutis above and below and on all sides. I shall explain them to a little extent.
186. O excellent Brahmanas, now I shall describe the position of the luminaries, the boundaries, the horizon and sub-horizon of the earth.