Adhyaya 77: Measurements of Mount Meru, the Boundary Mountains, and the Four Directional Great Trees

Verse 1

रुद्र उवाच । यदेतत् कर्णिकामूलं मेरोर् मध्यं प्रकीर्तितम् । तद् योजनसहस्राणि संख्यया मानतः स्मृतम् ॥ ७७.१ ॥

Rudra said: “That which is proclaimed as the root of the ‘karṇikā’—the central region of Mount Meru—has been remembered, by numerical measure, as extending a thousand yojanas.”

Verse 2

चत्वारिंशत् तथा चाष्टौ सहस्राणि तु मण्डलैः । शैलराजस्य तत्तत्र मेरुमूलमिति स्मृतम् ॥ ७७.२ ॥

There are forty-eight thousand (units), measured by circular divisions (maṇḍalas). That region there, belonging to the king of mountains, is traditionally remembered as the “root of Meru.”

Verse 3

तेषां गिरिसहस्राणामनेकानां महोच्छ्रयः । दिगष्टौ च पुनस्तस्य मर्यादापर्वताः शुभाः ॥ ७७.३ ॥

Among those many thousands of mountains, their elevations are exceedingly great; and again, in the eight directions, there are auspicious boundary-mountains that define its limits.

Verse 4

जठरो देवकूटश्च पूर्वस्यां दिशि पर्वतौ । पूर्वपश्चायतावेतावर्णवान्तरव्यवस्थितौ । मर्यादापर्वतान् एतानष्टानाहुर्मनीषिणः ॥ ७७.४ ॥

In the eastern direction are the two mountains Jaṭhara and Devakūṭa. These two extend from east to west and are situated between the oceans. The wise describe these eight as ‘boundary-mountains’ (maryādā-parvata-s).

Verse 5

योऽसौ मेरुर्द्विजश्रेष्ठाः प्रोक्तः कनकपर्वतः । विष्कम्भांस्तस्य वक्ष्यामि शृणुध्वं गदतस्तु तान् ॥ ७७.५ ॥

O best of the twice-born, that Meru which has been described as the ‘golden mountain’—I shall now state its breadths (dimensions). Listen to them as I speak.

Verse 6

महापादास्तु चत्वारो मेरोरथ चतुर्दिशम् । यैर्न चचाल विष्टब्धा सप्तद्वीपवती मही ॥ ७७.६ ॥

Now, there are four great supports of Meru, extending toward the four directions; upheld by them, the Earth—possessing the seven continents—did not move.

Verse 7

दशयोजनसाहस्रं व्यायामस्तेषु शङ्क्यते । तिर्यगूर्ध्वं च रचिता हरितालतटैर्वृताः ॥ ७७.७ ॥

Among them, the extent is reckoned as ten thousand yojanas. They are fashioned both horizontally and vertically, and are enclosed by banks of haritāla (a yellow, orpiment-like substance).

Verse 8

मनःशिलादरीभिश्च सुवर्णमणिचित्रिताः । अनेकसिद्धभवनैः क्रीडास्थानैश्च सुप्रभाः ॥ ७७.८ ॥

And they are adorned with ravines of manahśilā (red orpiment), variegated with gold and jewels; with many dwellings of the Siddhas and with pleasure-grounds, they shine with splendid radiance.

Verse 9

पूर्वेण मन्दरस्तस्य दक्षिणे गन्धमादनः । विपुलः पश्चिमे पार्श्वे सुपार्श्वश्चोत्तरे स्थितः ॥ ७७.९ ॥

To its east is Mandara; to its south is Gandhamādana. On the western side is Vipula, and to the north is Supārśva, situated there.

Verse 10

तेषां शृङ्गेषु चत्वारो महावृक्षाः प्रतिष्ठिताः । देवदैत्याप्सरोभिश्च सेविता गुणसंचयैः ॥ ७७.१० ॥

Upon their mountain-peaks, four great trees are established, attended by gods, Daityas, and Apsarases—trees endowed with accumulated excellences.

Verse 11

मन्दरस्य गिरेः शृङ्गे कदम्बो नाम पादपः । प्रलम्बशाखाशिखरः कदम्बश्चैत्यपादपः ॥ ७७.११ ॥

On the peak of Mount Mandara there is a tree named Kadamba; its crown is formed by long, spreading branches. That Kadamba is revered as a caitya-tree, associated with a sacred memorial or shrine-setting.

Verse 12

महाकुम्भप्रमाणेश्च पुष्पैर्विकचकेसरैः । महागन्धबनोञ्ञैश्च शोभितः सर्वकालजैः ॥ ७७.१२ ॥

It is of the measure of a great water-jar (mahā-kumbha), adorned with flowers whose filaments are fully opened, and with exceedingly fragrant and pleasing forests—beautiful with growth found in every season.

Verse 13

समासेन परिवृतो भुवनैर्भूतभावनैः । सहस्रमधिकं सोऽथ गन्धेनापूरयन् दिशः ॥ ७७.१३ ॥

In brief, he was surrounded by worlds that nurture living beings; then—exceeding a thousand (in measure or extent)—he filled the directions with fragrance.

Verse 14

भद्राश्वो नाम वृक्षोऽयं वर्षाद्रेः केतुसंभवः । कीर्तिमान् रूपवान् श्रीमान् महापादपपादपः । यत्र साक्षाद्धृषीकेशः सिद्धसङ्घैर्निषेव्यते ॥ ७७.१४ ॥

This is the tree named Bhadrāśva, born from Ketu of the Varṣādri (the Rain-mountain). It is renowned, beautiful, and splendid—a great tree with mighty branches; and there Hṛṣīkeśa is directly attended by assemblies of Siddhas.

Verse 15

तस्य भद्रकदम्बस्य तथाश्ववदनो हरिः । प्राप्तवांश्चामरश्रेष्ठः स हि सानुं पुनः पुनः ॥ ७७.१५ ॥

And for that auspicious kadamba-tree, Hari—having a face like that of a horse—again and again reached its slope; for he indeed is the foremost among the immortals.

Verse 16

तेन चालोकितं वर्षं सर्वद्विपदनायकाः । यस्य नाम्ना समाख्यातो भद्राश्वेति न संशयः ॥ ७७.१६ ॥

By him that region (varṣa) was beheld, and it was known among all the leaders of the two-footed (i.e., human) inhabitants. By his very name it is designated as “Bhadrāśva”—of this there is no doubt.

Verse 17

दक्षिणस्यापि शैलस्य शिखरे देवसेविते । जम्बूः सद्यः पुष्पफलाः महाशाखोपशोभिता ॥ ७७.१७ ॥

On the summit of the southern mountain as well—frequented, as it were, by the devas—there stands the jambu tree, bearing flowers and fruits at once, adorned with great branches.

Verse 18

तस्याः ह्यतिप्रमाणानि स्वादूनि च मृदूनि च । फलान्यमृतकल्पानि पतन्ति गिरिमूर्धनि ॥ ७७.१८ ॥

Indeed, her fruits—of exceptionally large size, sweet and tender, resembling nectar—fall upon the mountain’s summit.

Verse 19

तस्माद् गिरिवरश्रेष्ठात् फलप्रस्यन्दवाहिनी । दिव्या जाम्बूनदी नाम प्रवृत्ता मधुवाहिनी ॥ ७७.१९ ॥

From that foremost of excellent mountains there issued a stream flowing with the oozing of fruits; a divine river, named Jāmbūnadī, set forth—honey-flowing.

Verse 20

तत्र जाम्बूनदं नाम सुवर्णमनलप्रभम् । देवालङ्कारमतुलमुत्पन्नं पापनाशनम् ॥ ७७.२० ॥

There, a gold called Jāmbūnada—shining like fire—arose: an incomparable ornament of the gods, described as a remover of sin.

Verse 21

देवदानवगन्धर्वयक्षराक्षसगुह्यकाः । पपुस्तदमृतप्रख्यं मधु जम्बूफलस्रवम् ॥ ७७.२१ ॥

The devas, dānavas, gandharvas, yakṣas, rākṣasas, and guhyakas drank that honey-like liquor flowing from the jambu fruit—renowned as being like nectar.

Verse 22

सा केतुर्दक्षिणे वर्षे जम्बूलोकेषु विश्रुता । यस्या नाम्ना समाख्याता जम्बूद्वीपेति मानवैः ॥ ७७.२२ ॥

That region, famed as “Ketu” in the southern division, is renowned among the realms of Jambū; and by her very name humans designate it as “Jambūdvīpa.”

Verse 23

विपुलस्य च शैलस्य दक्षिणेन महात्मनः । जातः शृङ्गेति सुमहानश्वत्थश्चेति पादपः ॥ ७७.२३ ॥

To the south of the great-souled Vipula mountain there arose a very large aśvattha tree, known by the name Śṛṅga.

Verse 24

महोच्छ्रायो महास्कन्धो नैकसत्त्वगुणालयः | कुम्भप्रमाणै रुचिरैः फलैः सर्वर्त्तुकैः शुभैः || ७७.२४ ||

That tree is exceedingly tall, with a great trunk, a dwelling-place of many beings and qualities; it bears auspicious, pleasing fruits—large as water-pots—available in every season.

Verse 25

स केतुः केतुमालानां देवगन्धर्वसेवितः । केतुमालेति विख्यातो नाम्ना तत्र प्रकीर्तितः । तन्निबोधत विप्रेन्द्रा निरुक्तं नामकर्मणः ॥ ७७.२५ ॥

That Ketu, associated with the Ketumālas and attended by devas and gandharvas, is there celebrated by the name “Ketumāla.” Now understand, O foremost of Brahmins, the etymological explanation connected with that name and its function.

Verse 26

क्षीरोदमथने वृत्ते माला स्कन्धे निवेशिताः । इन्द्रेण चैत्यकेतोस्तु केतुमालस्ततः स्मृतः । तेन तच्छिह्नितं वर्षं केतुमालेति विश्रुतम् ॥ ७७.२६ ॥

When the churning of the Ocean of Milk (Kṣīroda) was completed, garlands were placed upon his shoulder. Then Indra remembered Caityaketu as “Ketumāla”; therefore the region (varṣa) marked by that sign became renowned as “Ketumāla”.

Verse 27

सुपार्श्वस्योत्तरे शृङ्गे वटो नाम महाद्रुमः । न्यग्रोधो विपुलस्कन्धो यस्त्रियोजनमण्डलः ॥ ७७.२७ ॥

On the northern peak of Supārśva stands a great tree named Vaṭa—a nyagrodha (banyan) with a vast trunk—whose circumference extends for three yojanas.

Verse 28

माल्यदामकलापैश्च विविधैस्तु समन्ततः । शाखाभिर्लम्बमानाभिः शोभितः सिद्धसेवितः ॥ ७७.२८ ॥

Adorned on every side with many kinds of garlands and wreath-arrangements, and beautified by branches hanging down, it is attended and revered by the Siddhas.

Verse 29

प्रलम्बकुम्भसदृशैर्हेमवर्णैः फलैः सदा । स ह्युत्तरकुरूणां तु केतुवृक्षः प्रकाशते ॥ ७७.२९ ॥

With fruits that are always golden in color and resemble hanging pitchers, that “banner-tree” (ketu-vṛkṣa) is said to appear in the land of the Uttarakurus.

Verse 30

सनत्कुमारावरजाः मानसाः ब्रह्मणः सुताः । सप्त तत्र महाभागाः कुरवो नाम विश्रुताः ॥ ७७.३० ॥

There, the younger brothers of Sanatkumāra—mind-born sons of Brahmā—were seven in number; those eminent ones were renowned by the name “Kuravas.”

Verse 31

तत्र स्थिरगतैर्ज्ञानैर्विरजस्कैर्महात्मभिः । अक्षयः क्षयपर्यन्तो लोकः प्रोक्तः सनातनः ॥ ७७.३१ ॥

There, by great-souled beings whose knowledge is steady and well-established, and who are free from passion, an eternal realm is described—imperishable, yet extending up to the boundary of dissolution.

Verse 32

तेषां नामाङ्कितं वर्षं सप्तानां वै महात्मनाम् । दिवि चेह च विख्याता उत्तरा: कुरवः सदा ॥ ७७.३२ ॥

That region (varṣa) is marked by the names of those seven great-souled ones; and the Northern Kurus are renowned at all times, both in heaven and here in the human world.