Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 5 Chapter 20:12-23

Book 5: Chapter 20

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 5: Chapter 20: Verses 12-23 A description of the other six Dwipas and the mountain-range called Lokaloka (They repeat the following prayer:-) "May the moon-god who during the dark and bright fortnights distributes by his rays nourishment (in the shape of nectar) to the manes and the gods as well as to all (other) created beings-be our ruler (protect us) on all sides !" Similarly, beyond the ocean of wine and twice as large, the Kuadwipa, which like the Salmaladwipa, (mentioned in passage 7 above), is encircled (on the other side) by an equally wide ocean of clarified butter. In that Dwipa there is a clump of Kusa grass, brought into existence by the Lord (Himself), which is responsible for the name of the Dwipa, and which, like another (heatless) flaming fire, illuminates the quarters by he effulgence of its (tender) shoots. Its (first) ruler, O Pariksit, king Hiranyareta by name, (the fourth) son of Priyavrata, divided his Dwipa, in due proportion among his seven sons-Vasu, Vasudana, Drdharuci, Nabhigupta, Stutyavrata, Vivikta and Vamadeva--and himself took to religious austerities. In their Varsas the well-known mountains, forming their boundaries, and rivers are severally seven only viz., the Cakra, Catuhsrnga, Kapila, Citrakuta, Devanika, Urdhvaroma and Dravina (mountains) and the Rasakulya, Madhukulya, Mitravinda, Srutavinda, Devagarbha, Ghrtacyuta and Mantramala (rivers). Purified by their waters, (the four classes of) the inhabitants of Kusadwipa-enjoying the title of Kusala, Kovida, Abhiyukta and Kulaka-worship the Lord manifested as the God of fire, by means of their proficiency ln rituals. (They repeat the following prayer :-) You are the Carrier of oblations to Bhagavan Narayana (the transcendent Brahma) Himself, O God of fire ! (Therefore,) by means of the worship (offered through you) to the gods, who are (so many) limbs of that Supreme Person (Cosmic Being), propitiate (convey our oblations to and thereby contribute directly to the pleasure of) Sri Hari (the Supreme Person)." Likewise, beyond the ocean of clarified butter lies the Krauñcadwipa, twice as wide (as that ocean) and surrounded (on the other side) by an ocean of milk of the same width as itself, even as the Kusadwipa is enclosed by the ocean of clarified butter (as mentioned in the last paragraph). There stands the king of mountains, Krauñca by name, which is responsible for the name of this Dwipa. Though it had its ledges and arbours riven and destroyed by the weapon (spear) of Guha (the younger son of Lord Siva), the mountain became fearless (immune from danger), sprayed (constantly) by (the billows of) the ocean of milk and protected on all sides by the glorious Varuna (the god of water). Its ruler, (the fifth) son of Priyavrata, Ghrtaprstha by name, (who lived) in that Dwipa of his own (share), carved out seven Varsas and, having installed his seven heirs in those Varsas-which were named after his sons-as their rulers, himself resorted to the lotus-feet of Lord Sri Hari of most auspicious renown, his own inner Self, enlightened as he was. The sons of Ghrtaprstha were named Ama, Madhuruha, Meghaprstha, Sudhama, Bhrajistha, Lohitarna and Vanaspati. The well-known mountains of their Varsas are seven (only)-viz., Sukla, Vardhamana. Bhojana, Upabarhina, Nanda, Nandana and Sarvatobhadra; and the rivers also ace seven-viz., Abhaya, Amrtaugha, Aryaka, Tirthavati, Vrttirupavati, Pavitravati and Sukla. Using the sacred and purifying water of these rivers, (the four classes of) the people of these Varsas-bearing the title of Purusa, Rsabha, Dravina and Devaka-wait upon the Deity in the form of water with the hollow of their joined palms full of water. They repeat the following prayer:-) "O (god presiding over) water ! You are endowed with the energy of God (the Supreme Person). (Therefore) consecrating the three worlds (heaven and earth and the space intervening them), (and) capable of wiping out sins by your very nature, (pray,) purify our bodies as we touch you."