The Geography of the Puranas c7.s4.75

c7.s4.75

Besides the seven mountains, seven rivers, seven varṣas, seven rulers and four castes there is again in the description of this dwīpa a definite pointer to the identification of the dwīpa that is the true ‘Plakṣa’ from which the dwīpa derives its name. ‘Plakṣa’ is the Pākhar tree which is characteristic of warm temperate or Mediterranean lands. Wilford identifies this tree with willow and others with fig. Willow is definitely incorrect while, fig may be possible. One would, therefore, without hesitation identify this dwīpa with the basin of the Mediterranean which is the third climatic belt north of the Equator in the northern hemisphere.