The Geography of the Puranas c7.s4.23

c7.s4.23

Let us now consider how the idea of the seven dwīpas originated and developed in Purāṇic cosmography. The source of all Purāṇic notions, as mentioned earlier can be traced back to the Vedic literature and the Epics, in the present case to the Epics. We shall therefore first of all discuss in detail the regional division of the world which can be deduced from various statements made in the Mahābhārata and the Rāmāyaṇa and compare them with corresponding concepts in the Buddhist and the Jain literature. At the same time we shall endeavour to examine in relation to the source material the varying and sometimes conflicting details of the various dwīpas as given in different Purāṇas.