The Geography of the Puranas c7.s4.31

c7.s4.31

Intermediate between the simple conception of the four dvīpas grouped around Meru and the Purāṇic theory of seven dvīpas surrounded by and surrounding seven concentric oceans (Jambū, Plakṣa, Sālmalī, Kuśa, Krauñca, Sāka ad Puṣkara surrounded respectively by the oceans of salt water, sugarcane juice, wine, clarified butter, milk, curd and fresh water) is the description of Mahābhārata 6, 11-12. In 6, 11, 1-3 after a description of Jambū Dvīpa has been given, Dhṛtarāṣṭra asks Sañjaya for a description of Sāka, Kuśa, Sālmalī and Krauñca. In 6.11.4 is the statement: 'O King! this world is composed of very many dvīpas, but I shall describe to you only seven dvīpas and also the Sun and the Moon and the planets'.² After a brief description of Jambū Dvīpa comes a description of Sakadvīpa which is surrounded on all sides by the sea of milk (6.11.10), but no statement is made concerning its direction from Jambū Dvīpa. Then in 6.12.1 occurs the statement, 'Uttareṣu ca Kauravya, dvīpeṣu śrūyate Kathā, evam tatra mahārāja brucataś ca nibodha me'. After this, oceans of clarified butter, curd, wine and water and the dvīpas, Kuśa, Sālmalī and Krauñca are enumerated. In verse 24 is the statement: 'In Puṣkara dvīpa there is a mountain called Puṣkara full of gems and jewels' and in verse 26 it is stated that various gems come there from Jambū Dvīpa. No specific ocean is mentioned in connection with it and there is no explicit statement to the effect that it is situated in the north. But in verse 3 it is said that the dwīpas double in size as one goes north and that they are surrounded by these oceans. That seemingly makes it necessary to include Puṣkara among the northern dwīpas and to connect it with the ocean of fresh water, yet in verse 9 it is said that in 'the middle dwīpa' (that rules out Puṣkara the fourth)²² is a large mountain named Kṛṣṇa²³ which is a favourite abode of Nārāyaṇa. Paścima usually means 'western' which seems out of place here. Yet Kṛṣṇa is not included in the six mountains of Krauñca-dwīpa, nor is it mentioned in the description of Puṣkaradwīpa. The dilemma is one from which there is no escape on the basis of our uncritical editions of the Mahābhārata. The matter is further complicated by the fact that in the request for information only Śākadwīpa, Kuśadwīpa, Sālmalidwīpa and Krauñca-dwīpa are named. After including Jambū these make five. In 6.11.4 a description of seven dwīpas was promised, but only six are actually described. A description of Puṣkaradwīpa, not asked for, is given and in both request and answer Plakṣadwīpa is omitted. Surely the number seven is not to be taken literally. The description of Śākadwīpa is so clearly marked off from that of the dwīpas which are said to be situated in the north that there is no valid reason for believing that it too was located in the north. More details are given about it than about the other dwīpas. The names of the four castes living there are given. This detail is extended by the Purāṇas to the other dwīpas also. Its seven mountains including Meru seem to be modelled on the seven Kulaparvatas of Jambū Dwīpa. It is assigned second place and seems to be more historical than the other dwīpas.