The Geography of the Puranas c8.215

c8.215

Now I shall describe the Pratyantya mountains located on the western side of the Meru mountain. It is served by several sacred saints and has a large number of caves etc. Its central region is full of low-lying gardens. The river moves round the Meru mountain, which is associated with god Saṅkara and its water, used by Devas, moves with great speed and passes several countries and falls from the peak of the Meru mountain. Its water is white and is used by many living beings. This great river after irrigating Devabhṛja, Mahābhṛja and Vaibhṛja forests, enters Sitoda lake. From Sitoda it goes to the Supaksa mountain. That sacred river served by Devas again falls on the Sikhi mountain. Thereafter it flows from one mountain to another, for instance, from Sikhi to Kaṅka, Vaidūrya, Kapila, Gandhamādana, Piñjara, Kumudācala, Madhoman, Mukuṭa, Kṛṣṇa to Sveta Saila and ultimately comes down to thousand-peaked Sailendra. In this way this river, after crossing thousands of lands, hundreds of great mountains and after irrigating forests etc. and joining waters of several rivers, flows through the central part of great Pariyāta mountain, which is full of several waterfalls, rivers, caves and peaks. Ultimately it descends on the plains and after irrigating the Ketumāla dwīpa falls into the Western Sea.¹