The Geography of the Puranas c7.s5.81

c7.s5.81

On the southern side of that Kailāsa, the Himālaya is located. There are several gardens. There are many falls and caves. There are innumerable peaks, passes and plains. This Himālaya is stretching from the eastern sea to the western sea. At several places on these mountains there are the cities of Kinnaras, which are located in the central part of the many-peaked Himālaya, about one hundred in number. Here men and women are always happy and the subjects are healthy and prosperous. One hundred kings, like Druma, Sugrīva, Sainya, Bhagadatta are the owners of these powerful Kinnaras. In this mountain Mahādeva Rudra was married to Umā. Umā Devi did her hard penance here. Mahādeva in the garb of Kirāta played here and Mahādeva and Pārvatī saw the whole of Jambū Dwīpa. The playground of Rudra Deva is full of different ghosts and full of strange flowers and fruits. Beautiful, big-eyed, happy Kinnari women reside in the caves and mountains of this land of mountains. Here Yakṣas, handsome Gandharvas and innumerable Apsarās are always happy. There is the famous Umāvan. Here Śankara converted his body, half into male and half into female. There is Śaravaṇa where Kārtikeya was born. Here he expressed his desire to destroy Krauñca Sailavana. Kārtikeya has got his chariot here which is adorned with a flag. The destroyer of enemies left his power in the Krauñca mountain full of coloured and strange flowers. Great Devas like Indra made Kārtikeya, the commander of the Devas who was decorated here.