Adhyaya 75: Description of Jambūdvīpa: its regions, mountains, measurements, and cosmic structure

Verse 1

रुद्र उवाच । अत ऊर्ध्वं प्रवक्ष्यामि जम्बूद्वीपं यथातथम् । संख्यां चापि समुद्राणां द्वीपानां चैव विस्तरम् ॥ ७५.१ ॥

Rudra said: “From here onward I shall explain Jambūdvīpa as it truly is, and also the number of the oceans, as well as the extent of the dvīpas.”

Verse 2

यावन्ति चैव वर्षाणि तेषु नद्यश्च याः स्मृताः । महाभूतप्रमाणं च गतिं चन्द्रार्कयोः पृथक् ॥ ७५.२ ॥

“(I shall describe) how many years there are, and the rivers remembered within those regions; also the measures of the great elements (mahābhūtas), and separately the courses of the Moon and the Sun.”

Verse 3

द्वीपभेदसहस्राणि सप्तस्वन्तर्गतानि च । न शक्यन्ते क्रमेणेह वक्तुं यैर् विततं जगत् ॥ ७५.३ ॥

“The thousands of divisions of the dvīpas, and those included within the seven principal ones, cannot here be recounted in due order; by them the world is spread out.”

Verse 4

सप्तद्वीपान् प्रवक्ष्यामि चन्द्रादित्यग्रहैः सह । येषां मनुष्यास्तर्केण प्रमाणानि प्रचक्षते ॥ ७५.४ ॥

“I shall expound the seven dvīpas, together with the lunar and solar bodies; regarding these, human beings, by means of reasoning, set forth the measures (and standards of knowledge).”

Verse 5

अचिन्त्याः खलु ये भावाः न तांस्तर्केण साधयेत् । प्रकृतिभ्यः परं यच्च तदचिन्त्यं विभाव्यते ॥ ७५.५ ॥

Indeed, those realities that are inconceivable should not be established by mere reasoning; and whatever lies beyond the material constituents (prakṛtis) is understood to be inconceivable.

Verse 6

नव वर्षं प्रवक्ष्यामि जम्बूद्वीपं यथातथम् । विस्तारान्मण्डलाच्चैव योजनैस्तन्निबोधत ॥ ७५.६ ॥

I shall explain the nine regions (varṣas) of Jambūdvīpa as they truly are—its extents, its circular configuration, and its measurements in yojanas; therefore, understand (this) attentively.

Verse 7

शतमेकें सहस्राणां योजनानां समन्ततः । नानाजनपदाकीर्णं योजनेर्विविधैः शुभैः ॥ ७५.७ ॥

It extends for one hundred thousand yojanas on all sides, and is filled with many regions (janapadas), marked out by various auspicious measures of yojanas.

Verse 8

सिद्धचारणसंकीर्णं पर्वतैरुपशोभितम् । सर्वधातुविवृद्धैश्च शिलाजालसमुद्भवैः । पर्वतप्रभवाभिश्च नदीभिः सर्वतश्चितम् ॥ ७५.८ ॥

It is thronged with Siddhas and Cāraṇas, and beautified by mountains—abounding in every kind of mineral wealth and in networks of rocks that arise there—filled on all sides with rivers that originate from the mountains.

Verse 9

जम्बूद्वीपः पृथुः श्रीमान् सर्वतः परिमण्डलः । नवभिश्चावृतः श्रीमान् भुवनैर्भूतभावनः ॥ ७५.९ ॥

Jambūdvīpa is vast and splendid, circular on every side. It is enclosed by nine regions (or divisions); it is splendid, and by its worlds it nurtures living beings.

Verse 10

लवणेन समुद्रेण सर्वतः परिवारितः । जम्बूद्वीपस्य विस्तारात् समेन तु समन्ततः ॥ ७५.१० ॥

It is encompassed on every side by the Salt Ocean; and all around it extends evenly, in accordance with the breadth of Jambūdvīpa.

Verse 11

तस्य प्रागायताः दीर्घाः षडेते वर्षपर्वताः । उभयत्रावगाढाश्च समुद्रौ पूर्वपश्चिमौ ॥ ७५.११ ॥

For that region, stretching eastward and long in span, these are the six varṣa-mountains; and on both sides lie the oceans, to the east and to the west.

Verse 12

हिमप्रायश्च हिमवान् हेमकूटश्च हेमवान् । सर्वत्र सुसुखश्चापि निषधः पर्वतो महान् ॥ ७५.१२ ॥

Himaprāya and Himavān, Hemakūṭa and Hemavān; and also Niṣadha—the great mountain—are described as bringing ease and well-being everywhere.

Verse 13

चतुर्वर्णः स सुवर्णो मेरुश्चोल्बमयो गिरिः । वृत्ताकृतिप्रमाणश्च चतुरस्त्रः समुच्छितः ॥ ७५.१३ ॥

That Mount Meru is described as having four colors; it is golden, a mountain composed of a radiant mineral or metallic mass. Its measure is of a circular form, and it is also four-sided, rising lofty.

Verse 14

नानावर्णस्तु पार्श्वेषु प्रजापतिगुणान्वितः । नाभिमण्डलसम्भूतो ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः ॥ ७५.१४ ॥

Endowed with the qualities of a Prajāpati and appearing in diverse hues along its sides, it was born from the navel-region of Brahmā, the supreme lord (Parameṣṭhin).

Verse 15

पूर्वतः श्वेतवर्णस्तु ब्राह्मण्यं तेन तस्य तत् । पीतश्च दक्षिणेनासौ तेन वैश्यत्वमिष्यते ॥ ७५.१५ ॥

Facing east, he is of white complexion; therefore the status of brāhmaṇa is assigned to him. And when he is yellow on the southern side, therefore vaiśya-hood is considered for him.

Verse 16

भृङ्गपत्रनिभश्चासौ पश्चिमेन यतोऽथ सः । तेनास्य शूद्रता प्रोक्ता मेरोर् नामार्थकर्मणः ॥ ७५.१६ ॥

He is also said to resemble a leaf of the bhṛṅga-plant; moreover, since he is situated toward the west, his classification as “śūdra” is stated—on the basis of the name, meaning, and function associated with Meru.

Verse 17

पार्श्वमुत्तरतस्तस्य रक्तवर्णं विभाव्यते। तेनास्य क्षत्रभावः स्यादिति वर्णाः प्रकीर्तिताः॥ ७५.१७॥

On his northern side, a red coloration is observed; by that, his Kṣatriya disposition is inferred—thus the varṇas are described.

Verse 18

वृत्तः स्वभावतः प्रोक्तो वर्णतः परिमाणतः । नीलश्च वैडूर्यमयः श्वेतशुक्लो हिरण्मयः । मयूरबर्हिवर्णस्तु शातकुम्भश्च श्रृङ्गवान् ॥ ७५.१८ ॥

He is described as naturally round, characterized by distinct color and by measure: blue and made of vaidūrya (a lapis-like gem), white—pure white—golden; and of the hue of a peacock’s feather, also of śātakaumbha (fine gold), and horned.

Verse 19

एते पर्वतराजानः सिद्धचारणसेविताः । तेषामन्तरविष्कम्भो नवसाहस्र उच्यते ॥ ७५.१९ ॥

These are the kingly mountains, attended by Siddhas and Cāraṇas; their internal breadth (or intervening span) is said to be nine thousand (units).

Verse 20

मध्ये त्विलावृतं नाम महामेरोः स सम्भवः । नवैव तु सहस्राणि विस्तीर्णः सर्वतश्च सः ॥ ७५.२० ॥

In the middle lies the region named Ilāvṛta, the central domain associated with Mahāmeru. It extends nine thousand yojanas in every direction.

Verse 21

मध्यं तस्य महामेरुर्विधूम इव पावकः । वेद्यर्धं दक्षिणं मेरोरुत्तरार्धं तथोत्तरम् ॥ ७५.२१ ॥

At its center stands the great Meru, like a smokeless fire. The southern half of Meru is called Vedya-ardha, and likewise the northern half is the northern division.

Verse 22

वर्षाणि यानि षडत्र तेषां ते वर्षपर्वताः । योजनाग्रं तु वर्षाणां सर्वेषां तद्विधीयते ॥ ७५.२२ ॥

Here, the six varṣas that have been described have their respective varṣa-mountains (varṣaparvatas). For all those varṣas, the standard breadth is prescribed as one yojana.

Verse 23

द्वे द्वे वर्षे सहस्राणां योजनानां समुच्छ्रयः । जम्बूद्वीपस्य विस्तारस्तेषामायाम उच्यते ॥ ७५.२३ ॥

For each pair of varṣas, the elevation is said to be two thousand yojanas; and the breadth of Jambūdvīpa is described as their longitudinal extent.

Verse 24

योजनानां सहस्राणि शतौ द्वौ चायतौ गिरौ । नीलश्च निषधश्चैव ताभ्यां हीनाश्च ये परे । श्वेतश्च हेमकूटश्च हिमवान् शृङ्गवांश्च यः ॥ ७५.२४ ॥

Two mountains—Nīla and Niṣadha—extend for two hundred thousand yojanas. Those lying beyond them are of lesser extent: Śveta, Hemakūṭa, and Himavān, the mountain range endowed with many peaks.

Verse 25

जम्बूद्वीपप्रमाणेन निषधः परिकीर्तितः । तस्माद् द्वादशभागेन हेमकूटः प्रहीयते । हिमवान् विंशभागेन हेमकूटात् प्रहीयते ॥ ७५.२५ ॥

In accordance with the measurements of Jambūdvīpa, Niṣadha is thus described. From that standard, Hemakūṭa is diminished by one-twelfth; and Himavān is diminished by one-twentieth in relation to Hemakūṭa.

Verse 26

अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणि हेमकूटो महागिरिः । अशीतिर्हिमवान्शैल आयतः पूर्वपश्चिमे ॥ ७५.२६ ॥

The great mountain Hemakūṭa extends for eighty-eight thousand yojanas. The Himavān mountain-range extends for eighty thousand (yojanas) in the east–west direction.

Verse 27

द्वीपस्य मण्डलीभावाद् ह्रासवृद्धी प्रकीर्त्यते । वर्षाणां पर्वतानां च यथा चेमे तथोत्तरम् ॥ ७५.२७ ॥

Because the continent (dvīpa) takes on a circular configuration, its diminution and expansion are described; likewise, the regions (varṣas) and the mountains are set forth—just as these have been stated here, so too will they be described in what follows.

Verse 28

तेषां मध्ये जनपदास्तानि वर्षाणि चैव तत् । प्रपातविषमैस्तैस्तु पर्वतैरावृतानि तु ॥ ७५.२८ ॥

Among them are the inhabited countries (janapadas), and indeed those regions (varṣas) as well; they are enclosed by mountains that are rugged with precipices and uneven terrain.

Verse 29

संततानि नदीभेदैरगम्यानि परस्परम् । वसन्ति तेषु सत्त्वानि नानाजातीनि सर्वशः ॥ ७५.२९ ॥

Separated by the divisions of rivers, those tracts extend on and are mutually inaccessible; within them dwell living beings of many different kinds, in every direction.

Verse 30

एतद्धैमवतं वर्षं भारती यत्र सन्ततिः । हेमकूटं परं यत्र नाम्ना किम्पुरुषोत्तमः ॥ ७५.३० ॥

This is the Haimavata (Himalayan) region, where the Bhāratī lineage—the progeny of Bhārata—dwells; and there stands the lofty Hemakūṭa, known by the name Kiṁpuruṣottama.

Verse 31

हेमकूटात् तु निषधं हरिवर्षं तदुच्यते । हरिवर्षात् परं चैव मेरुपार्श्व इलावृतम् ॥ ७५.३१ ॥

From Hemakūṭa onward, the land of Niṣadha is spoken of as Harivarṣa; and beyond Harivarṣa, upon the flank of Mount Meru, lies Ilāvṛta.

Verse 32

इलावृतात् परं नीलं रम्यकं नाम विश्रुतम् । रम्यकाच्च परं श्वेतं विश्रुतं तद्धिरण्मयम् । हिरण्मयात् परं चैव शृङ्गवन्तं कुरु स्मृतम् ॥ ७५.३२ ॥

Beyond Ilāvṛta lies the Nīla (mountain) and the renowned region called Ramyaka. Beyond Ramyaka is the famed Śveta (mountain), and beyond that is the land Hiraṇmaya. Beyond Hiraṇmaya, Kuru is remembered as Śṛṅgavant, the country associated with the Śṛṅgavat mountains.

Verse 33

धनुःसंस्थे तु द्वे वर्षे विज्ञेये दक्षिणोत्तरे । द्वीपानि खलु चत्वारि चतुरस्त्रमिलावृतम् ॥ ७५.३३ ॥

In the region set in the form of a bow, two varṣas are to be understood—southern and northern. Indeed there are four dvīpas (islands), and Ilāvṛta is quadrangular in shape.

Verse 34

अर्वाक् च निषधस्याथ वेद्यर्धं दक्षिणं स्मृतम् । परं शृङ्गवतो यच्च वेद्यर्धं हि तदुत्तरम् ॥ ७५.३४ ॥

To the south of Niṣadha is traditionally understood the southern half of the Vedi; and that which lies beyond Śṛṅgavat is indeed the northern half of the Vedi.

Verse 35

वेद्यर्धे दक्षिणे त्रीणि वर्षाणि त्रीणि चोत्तरे । तयोर्मध्ये तु विज्ञेयो यत्र मेरुस्त्विलावृतः ॥ ७५.३५ ॥

In the southern half of the Vedi there are three regions (varṣas), and likewise three in the northern half. Between these two is to be understood the central region, where Mount Meru is situated—namely Ilāvṛta.

Verse 36

दक्षिणेन तु नीलस्य निषधस्योत्तरेण च । उदगायतो महाशैलो माल्यवान्नाम पर्वतः ॥ ७५.३६ ॥

To the south of Mount Nīla and to the north of Mount Niṣadha lies a great mountain extending northward, named Mālyavān.

Verse 37

योजनानां सहस्रे द्वे विष्कम्भोच्छ्रय एव च । आयामतश्चतुस्त्रिंशत् सहस्राणि प्रकीर्तितः ॥ ७५.३७ ॥

Its diameter and its height are each stated to be two thousand yojanas; and its length is declared to be thirty-four thousand yojanas.

Verse 38

तस्य प्रतीच्यां विज्ञेयः पर्वतो गन्धमादनः । आयामोच्छ्रयविस्तारात् तुल्यो माल्यवता तु सः ॥ ७५.३८ ॥

To its west one should know the mountain called Gandhamādana; in length, height, and breadth it is comparable to Mālyavat.

Verse 39

परिमण्डलस्तयोर्मध्ये मेरुः कनकपर्वतः । चतुर्वर्णः ससौवर्णश्चतुरस्त्रः समुच्छ्रितः ॥ ७५.३९ ॥

In the midst of those regions lies Mount Meru, the golden mountain—circular in form; of fourfold coloration, with golden brilliance; four-sided, and lofty in elevation.

Verse 40

अव्यक्ता धातवः सर्वे समुत्पन्ना जलादयः । अव्यक्तात् पृथिवीपद्मं मेरुस्तस्य च कर्णिका ॥ ७५.४० ॥

From the Unmanifest (avyakta), all elemental constituents arose—beginning with water and the rest. From that Unmanifest, the Earth emerged as a lotus, and Meru is said to be its central pericarp (karṇikā).

Verse 41

चतुष्पत्रं समुत्पन्नं व्यक्तं पञ्चगुणं महत् । ततः सर्वाः समुद्भूता वितता हि प्रवृत्तयः ॥ ७५.४१ ॥

A four-petalled principle then arose—manifest, great, and characterized by five qualities; from that, indeed, all activities and impulses (pravṛttis) were generated and spread widely.

Verse 42

अनेककल्पजीवद्भिः पुरुषैः पुण्यकारिभिः । कृतात्मभिर्महात्मभिः प्राप्यते पुरुषोत्तमः ॥ ७५.४२ ॥

The Supreme Person (Puruṣottama) is attained by those who have lived through many aeons, who perform meritorious deeds, and who are self-disciplined—great-souled individuals.

Verse 43

महायोगी महादेवो जगद्ध्येयो जनार्दनः । सर्वलोकगतोऽनन्तो व्यापको मूर्तिरव्ययः ॥ ७५.४३ ॥

He is the great yogin, the great lord—Janārdana, to be meditated upon by the world. He is the endless one who pervades all realms, all-pervading, embodied, and imperishable.

Verse 44

न तस्य प्राकृताः मूर्तिर्मांसमेदोऽस्थिसंभवा । योगित्वाच्चेश्वरत्वाच्च सत्त्वरूपधरो विभुः ॥ ७५.४४ ॥

His form is not material (prākṛta), nor is it produced from flesh, fat, and bone; rather, because of his yogic nature and because of his lordship, the all-pervading one bears a form constituted of sattva (clarity and purity).

Verse 45

तन्निमित्तं समुत्पन्नं लोके पद्मं सनातनम् । कल्पशेषस्य तस्यादौ कालस्य गतिरीदृशी ॥ ७५.४५ ॥

From that cause there arose in the world the eternal lotus. At the beginning of that remaining phase of the kalpa, such was the course of time.

Verse 46

तस्मिन् पद्मे समुत्पन्नो देवदेवश्चतुर्मुखः । प्रजापतिपतिर्देव ईशानो जगतः प्रभुः ॥ ७५.४६ ॥

From that lotus was born the god of gods, the four-faced one—the lord of the Prajāpatis, the divine sovereign, ruler and master of the world.

Verse 47

तस्य बीजनिसर्गं हि पुष्करस्य यथार्थवत् । कृत्स्नं प्रजानिसर्गेण विस्तरेणैव वर्ण्यते ॥ ७५.४७ ॥

Indeed, the account of his seed-origin—of Puṣkara—will be described in accordance with its true purport, fully and in detail, through the narrative of the emanation of progeny (prajā-sarga).

Verse 48

तदम्बु वैष्णवः कायो यतो रत्नविभूषितः । पद्माकाराऽ समुत्पन्ना पृथिवी सवनद्रुमा ॥ ७५.४८ ॥

That water became a Vaiṣṇava body, adorned with jewels; and the Earth arose in the form of a lotus, together with forests and trees.

Verse 49

तत् तस्य लोकपद्मस्य विस्तारं सिद्धभाषितम् । वर्ण्यमानं विभागेन क्रमशः शृणुत द्विजाः ॥ ७५.४९ ॥

Now hear, O twice-born ones, in due sequence and by divisions, the extent of that ‘world-lotus’ (lokapadma), as it is described in the speech of the Siddhas.

Verse 50

महावर्षाणि ख्यातानि चत्वार्यत्र च संस्थिताः । तत्र पर्वतसंस्थानो मेरुर्नाम महाबलः ॥ ७५.५० ॥

Here it is said that four renowned great regions (mahāvarṣas) are situated; there stands a mountain-shaped landmass, the mighty one named Meru.

Verse 51

नानावर्णः स पार्श्वेषु पूर्वतः श्वेत उच्यते । पीतं च दक्षिणं तस्य भृङ्गवर्णं तु पश्चिमम् ॥ ७५.५१ ॥

That is described as having various colors on its sides: on the east it is said to be white; its southern side is yellow; and its western side is of the color of a bee (dark).

Verse 52

उत्तरं रक्तवर्णं तु तस्य पार्श्वं महात्मनः । मेरुस्तु शोभते शुक्लो राजवंशे तु धिष्टितः ॥ ७५.५२ ॥

To the north, that flank of the great one is red in color; but Mount Meru shines forth as white, established within the royal lineage.

Verse 53

तरुणादित्यसंकाशो विधूम इव पावकः । योजनानां सहस्राणि चतुराशीतिरुच्छ्रितः ॥ ७५.५३ ॥

He appeared in brilliance like the young sun, like fire without smoke; his height rose to eighty-four thousand yojanas.

Verse 54

प्रविष्टः षोडशाधस्ताद्विस्तृतः षोडशैव तु । शरावसंस्थितत्वाच्च द्वात्रिंशन्मूर्ध्नि विस्तृतः ॥ ७५.५४ ॥

It extends sixteen (units) downward and is likewise spread sixteen (units) across; and because it is situated like a shallow bowl (śarāva), it is expanded to thirty-two (units) at the top.

Verse 55

विस्तारस्त्रिगुणश्चास्य परिणाहः समन्ततः । मण्डलेन प्रमाणेन व्यस्यमानं तदिष्यते ॥ ७५.५५ ॥

Its breadth is said to be threefold, and its circumference extends on every side; when it is laid out and measured by the standard of a circle, that is accepted as the correct measure.

Verse 56

नवतिश्च सहस्राणि योजनानां समन्ततः । ततः षट्काधिकानां च व्यस्यमानं प्रकीर्तितम् । चतुरस्त्रेण मानेन परिणामः समन्ततः ॥ ७५.५६ ॥

“Its extent is ninety thousand yojanas on all sides. Thereafter, an additional measure of six (thousand yojanas) is also proclaimed as the diameter. By the standard of a quadrangular measure, its circumference is stated on every side.”

Verse 57

स पर्वतो महादिव्यो दिव्यौषधिसमन्वितः । सवैनैरावृतः सर्वो जातरूपमयैः शुभैः ॥ ७५.५७ ॥

That mountain is exceedingly splendid and celestial, endowed with divine medicinal herbs; it is entirely covered with auspicious features made of gold.

Verse 58

तत्र देवगणाः सर्वे गन्धर्वोरगराक्षसाः । शैलराजे प्रमोदन्ते तथैवाप्सरसां गणाः ॥ ७५.५८ ॥

There, all the hosts of the Devas—together with Gandharvas, Nāgas, and Rākṣasas—rejoice upon the lordly mountain; and likewise do the companies of Apsarases.

Verse 59

स तु मेरुः परिवृतो भवनैर्भूतभावनैः । चत्वारो यस्य देशास्तु नानापार्श्वेषु धिष्ठिताः ॥ ७५.५९ ॥

That Mount Meru, however, is encircled by dwellings that sustain living beings; and it has four regions, situated on its various sides.

Verse 60

भद्राश्वो भारतश्चैव केतुमालश्च पश्चिमे । उत्तरे कुरवश्चैव कृतपुण्यप्रतिश्रयाः ॥ ७५.६० ॥

Bhadrāśva and Bhārata, and also Ketumāla in the west; and likewise the Kurus in the north—these are abodes that serve as refuges for those who have acquired merit (puṇya).

Verse 61

कर्णिका तस्य पद्मस्य समन्तात् परिमण्डला । योजनानां सहस्राणि योजनानां प्रमाणतः ॥ ७५.६१ ॥

The karnikā (central core) of that lotus is circular all around; by the standard measure of the yojana, it extends across thousands of yojanas.

Verse 62

तस्य केसरजालानि नवषट् च प्रकीर्तिताः । चतुरशीतिरुत्सेधो विवरान्तरगोचराः ॥ ७५.६२ ॥

Its networks of kesara (filaments of the lotus) are declared to be fifty-nine; its height is eighty-four, extending into the ranges that lie between the openings (interstices).

Verse 63

त्रिंशच्चापि सहस्राणि योजनानां प्रमाणतः । तस्य केसरजालानि विकीर्णानि समन्ततः ॥ ७५.६३ ॥

Measured in yojanas, it extends even to thirty thousand; and its networks of kesara are scattered on all sides.

Verse 64

शतसाहस्रमायाममशीतिḥ पृथुलानि च । चत्वारि तत्र पर्णानि योजनानां चतुर्दश ॥ ७५.६४ ॥

Its length is one hundred thousand yojanas, and its breadth is eighty; there are four parṇas (leaves) there, each measuring fourteen yojanas.

Verse 65

तत्र या सा मया तुभ्यं कर्णिकीत्यभिविश्रुता । तां वर्ण्यमानामेकाग्र्यात् समासेन निबोधत । मणिपर्णशतैश्चित्रां नानावर्णप्रभासिताम् ॥ ७५.६५ ॥

There is that which is renowned as “Karṇikī,” of which I have spoken to you—listen with single-pointed attention as it is briefly described: it is adorned with hundreds of jewel-like leaves, illumined by the radiance of many colors.

Verse 66

अनेकपर्णनिचयं सौवर्णमरुणप्रभम् । कान्तं सहस्रपर्वाणं सहस्रोदरकन्दरम् । सहस्रशतपत्रं च वृत्तमेकं नगोत्कतमम् ॥ ७५.६६ ॥

A single most excellent mountain was described, rounded in form, bearing a mass of many leaves and shining with a golden, ruddy radiance; lovely to behold, with a thousand ridges, with a thousand caverns within, and with lotus-like formations of a thousandfold and a hundredfold petals.

Verse 67

मणिरत्नार्पितश्वभ्रैर्मणिभिश्चित्रवेदिकाम् । सुवर्णमणिचित्राङ्गैर्मणिचर्चिततोरणैः ॥ ७५.६७ ॥

It had recesses inlaid with gems and jewels, and a vedikā-platform ornamented with various precious stones; its structural members were variegated with gold and gems, and its toraṇa-gateways were embellished with jewels.

Verse 68

तत्र ब्रह्मसभा रम्या ब्रह्मर्षिजनसंकुला । नाम्ना मनोव्रती नाम सर्वलोकेषु विश्रुता ॥ ७५.६८ ॥

There stood a delightful assembly-hall of Brahmā, thronged with hosts of brahmarṣis. In all the worlds it was renowned by the name “Manovratī.”

Verse 69

तत्रेशानस्य देवस्य सहस्रादित्यवर्चसः । महाविमानसंस्थस्य महिमा वर्त्तते सदा ॥ ७५.६९ ॥

There, the glory of the divine Īśāna—radiant like a thousand suns, abiding in a great celestial vimāna—endures perpetually.

Verse 70

तत्र सर्वे देवगणाश्चतुर्वक्त्रं स्वयं प्रभुम् । इष्ट्वा पूज्यनमस्कारैरर्चनीयमुपस्थिताः ॥ ७५.७० ॥

There, all the hosts of gods—having worshipped the self-luminous Lord of four faces—stood present, offering reverence, veneration, and salutations to the One worthy of ritual honor.

Verse 71

यैस्तदा दिहसंकल्पैर्ब्रह्मचर्यं महात्मभिः । चीर्‍णं चारुमनोभिश्च सदाचारपथि स्थितैः ॥ ७५.७१ ॥

By those great-souled ones—then—whose resolves were firmly set, who were of refined disposition, and who remained established on the path of good conduct, the discipline of brahmacarya was duly observed.

Verse 72

सम्यगिष्ट्वा च भुक्त्वा च पितृदेवार्चने रताः । गृहाश्रमपरास्तत्र विनीताः अतिथिप्रियाः ॥ ७५.७२ ॥

Having duly performed the sacrificial duties and then taken their meal, they remain devoted to the worship of the ancestors and the gods; there, they are dedicated to the householder’s stage of life—disciplined in conduct and fond of honoring guests.

Verse 73

गृहिणः शुक्लकर्मस्थाः विरक्ताः कारणात्मकाः । यमैर्नियमदानैश्च दृढनिर्दग्धकिल्बिषाः ॥ ७५.७३ ॥

Householders, established in pure conduct, dispassionate and grounded in discerning causality, have their demerits firmly burned away through ethical restraints (yamas), observances (niyamas), and acts of giving (dāna).

Verse 74

तेषां निवसनं शुक्लब्रह्मलोकमनिन्दितम् । उपर्युपरि सर्वासां गतिनां परमा गतिः । चतुर्दशसहस्राणि योजनानां तु कीर्तितम् ॥ ७५.७४ ॥

Their dwelling is described as the stainless Śukla-brahma-loka; it is, higher and higher beyond all other destinies, the supreme destination among all paths. Its extent is stated to be fourteen thousand yojanas.

Verse 75

ततोऽर्द्धरुचिरे कृष्णे तरुणादित्यवर्चसि । महागिरौ ततो रम्ये रत्नधातुविचित्रिते ॥ ७५.७५ ॥

Then they came upon a great mountain—dark-hued yet half-radiant, bearing the splendor of the young sun—and thereafter to a delightful region, variegated with gem-bearing mineral veins.

Verse 76

नैकरत्नसमावासे मणितोरणमन्दिरे । मेरोः सर्वेषु पार्श्वेषु समन्तात् परिमण्डले ॥ ७५.७६ ॥

In a dwelling-place abundant with many kinds of gems—within a mansion adorned with jeweled gateways—on all the sides of Mount Meru, all around, in a circular expanse.

Verse 77

त्रिंशद्योजनसाहस्रं चक्रपाटो नगोत्तमः । जारुधिश्चैव शैलेन्द्र इत्येते उत्तराः स्मृताः ॥ ७५.७७ ॥

Cakrapāṭa, the foremost of mountains, extends for thirty thousand yojanas; and Jārudhi likewise is a lord of mountains—these are remembered as the northern (mountains/regions).

Verse 78

एतेषां शैलमुख्यानामुत्तरेषु यथाक्रमः । स्थलीरन्तरद्रोण्यश्च सरांसि च निबोधत ॥ ७५.७८ ॥

Now learn, in due sequence, the plains, the intervening valleys, and the lakes that lie to the north of these principal mountains.

Verse 79

दशयोजनविस्तीर्णा चक्रपाटोपनिर्गता । सा तूर्द्ध्ववाहिनी चापि नदी भूमौ प्रतिष्ठिता ॥ ७५.७९ ॥

Extending for ten yojanas, she (the river) emerged from the opening of Cakrapāṭa. That river—flowing upward as well—became established upon the earth.

Verse 80

सा पुर्याममरावत्यां क्रममाणेन्दुरा प्रभौ । तया तिरस्कृता वा अपि सूर्येन्दुज्योतिषां गणाः ॥ ७५.८० ॥

In the city of Amarāvatī, that radiant one moved with a measured stride; by her, even the hosts of lights—the sun, the moon, and the luminaries—were, as it were, outshone.

Verse 81

उदयास्तमिते सन्ध्ये ये सेवन्ते द्विजोत्तमाः । तान् तुष्यन्ते द्विजाः सर्वानष्टावप्यचलोत्तमान् ॥ ७५.८१ ॥

At the junctures of dawn and sunset, those best among the twice-born who perform the prescribed observance—by them all the twice-born are gratified, (as are) even the eight foremost mountains.

Verse 82

परिभ्रमज्ज्योतिषां या सा रुद्रेन्द्रमता शुभा ॥ ७५.८२ ॥

That auspicious manifestation which consists of revolving lights is esteemed in the doctrines associated with Rudra and Indra.