Adhyaya 84: Description of the Northern Regions: Ramyaka, Hiraṇmaya, Uttarakuru, Candradvīpa, Sūryadvīpa, and Rudrākara

Verse 1

रुद्र उवाच । उत्तराणां च वर्षाणां दक्षिणानां च सर्वशः । आचक्षते यथान्यायं ये च पर्वतवासिनः । तच्छृणुध्वं मया विप्राः कीर्त्यमानं समाहिताः ॥ ८४.१ ॥

Rudra said: “Concerning the northern regions and likewise the southern regions in their entirety—according to the proper convention as the mountain-dwellers describe them—listen, O learned ones, to my account as it is being recited; remain attentive.”

Verse 2

दक्षिणेन तु श्वेतस्य नीलस्य चोत्तरेण च । वायव्यां रम्यकं नाम जायन्ते तत्र मानवाः । मतिप्रधानाः विमला जरादौर्गन्ध्यवर्जिताः ॥ ८४.२ ॥

South of Śveta and north of Nīla, in the northwestern quarter, lies a region called Ramyaka. Humans born there are foremost in intellect, pure, and free from old age and foul odor.

Verse 3

तत्रापि सुमहान् वृक्षो न्यग्रोधो रोहितः स्मृतः । तत्फलाद् रसपानाद्धि दशवर्षसहस्रिणः । आयुषा सर्वमनुजा जायन्ते देवरूपिणः ॥ ८४.३ ॥

There too, a very great tree is spoken of: a nyagrodha (banyan) known as Rohita. Indeed, by drinking the juice drawn from its fruit, all humans are born with a lifespan of ten thousand years, bearing a godlike form.

Verse 4

उत्तरेण च श्वेतस्य त्रिशृङ्गस्य च दक्षिणे । वर्षं हिरण्मयं नाम तत्र हैरण्वती नदी । यक्षाः वसन्ति तत्रैव बलिनः कामरूपिणः ॥ ८४.४ ॥

North of Śveta and south of Triśṛṅga lies the region called Hiraṇmaya. There flows the river Hairaṇvatī, and there indeed dwell the Yakṣas—powerful beings able to assume forms at will.

Verse 5

एकादशहस्त्राणि समानां तेन जीवते । शतान्यन्यानि जीवन्ते वर्षाणां दश पञ्च च ॥ ८४.५ ॥

By that measure, one lives for eleven thousand samā (years). Others live for additional hundreds—namely, ten and five years more (that is, fifteen).

Verse 6

लकुचाः क्षुद्रसा वृक्षास्तस्मिन् देशे व्यवस्थिताः । तत्फलप्राशमानाः हि तेन जीवन्ति मानवाः ॥ ८४.६ ॥

In that region there are lakuca trees with scant sap (or scant yield), firmly established there. Indeed, the people live by eating their fruits.

Verse 7

Thus, on Trishringga with its three peaks, the summits are arrayed in order, made of mani-gems, gold, and every jewel; and from its northern peak, at the edge of the southern ocean, lie the Uttarakurus. There garments and ornaments arise as though upon the trees themselves; there are milk-bearing trees, and drinks of sap like milk. The ground is of gems and the sand is of gold. There dwell men fallen from heaven, whose lifespan is thirteen thousand years. To the west of that same island, after passing four thousand yojanas, there appears from the world of the devas Chandradvipa, circular, with a circumference of a thousand yojanas. In its midst stand two mountains named Chandrakanta and Suryakanta; and between them flows the great river Chandravati, abounding in many trees and fruits and filled with many streams—this is Kuruvasha. On its northern side, after crossing the ocean rich with garlands of waves for five thousand yojanas, there appears from the world of the devas Suryadvipa, circular, with a circumference of a thousand yojanas. In its center is an excellent mountain, a hundred yojanas broad and as high; from it issues the river called Suryavarta. There the Sun is established, and there live people of sunlike hue, devoted to the solar deity, with a lifespan of ten thousand years. To the west of that island, after passing four thousand yojanas, is an island of circular extent of ten thousand yojanas, named Rudrakara. There is the auspicious seat of Vayu, adorned with many jewels; and Vayu, embodied, abides there. Its people are of refined-gold color (tapanīya) and live five thousand years.