The Geography of the Puranas c9.24

c9.24

There is a valley between Sitānta and Kumuñja ranges where birds sing and numerable creatures live. It is 300 Yojanas in length and 100 Yojanas in breadth. There is a lake and its water is beautiful clear and of a pleasant taste. The valley is beautified by fine-smelling lotuses. Big Durdharsā snakes are found there. In its clear water Devas and Demons always bathe. This sacred Sri Sar is famous in heaven and Mritya Loka... On the eastern side of the lake saints (siddha-jana) reside. There is a big and beautiful garden full of flowers and fruits. It is 100 Yojanas in breadth and 30 Yojanas in length. It is full of thousands of large trees which are half a Kos in height... It is full of golden and green fruits, sweet-smelling and large. When they fall on the ground after ripening, the whole area is covered by them. It is known as Srivan and there are Gandharvas, Kinnaras, Yaksas and Mahānāgas who move freely in it. In that forest Goddes Lakṣmi* herself resides and saints pay their respects to her.⁹