[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879) › c5.544 # A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.544 A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.544 - **Language:** English ### [c5.544](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.544) DWĪPA. An insular continent. The Dwīpas stretch out from the mountain Meru as their common centre, like the leaves of a lotus, and are separated from each other by distinct circum-ambient oceans. They are generally given as seven in number:—1. Jambu, 2. Plaksha or Go-medaka, 3. Sālmala, 4. Kusa, 5. Krauncha, 6. Sāka, 7. Pushkara; and the seas which surround them are—1. Lavana, salt water; 2. Ikshu, sugar-cane juice; 3. Surā, wine; 4. Sarpis or Ghrita, clarified butter; 5. Dadhi, curds; 6. Dugdha or Kshīra, milk; 7. Jala, fresh water. In the Mahā-bhārata four Dwīpas are named:—1. Bhadrāswa, 2. Ketu-māla, 3. Jambu-dwīpa, 4. Uttara Kuru. Jambu-dwīpa has nine varshas or subdivisions:—1. Bhārata, 2. Kim-purusha, Kin-nara, 3. Hari-varsha, 4. Ilā-vrita, which contains Meru; 5. Ramyaka, 6. Hiran-maya, 7. Uttara Kuru, 8. Bhadrāswa, 9. Ketu-māla. According to the Vishnu Purāna, Bhārata-varsha or India is divided into nine Dwīpas or portions:—1. Indra-dwīpa, 2. Kaserumat, 3. Tāmra-varna, 4. Gabhastimat, 5. Nāga-dwīpa, 6. Saumya, 7. Gāndharva, 8. Vāruna; 9. is generally left without a name in the books, but Bhāskara Āchārya calls it Kumāraka. - [Previous: c5.543](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.543) - [Next: c5.545](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.545) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5) ## Linked texts (2) - [Mahābhārata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.vyasa) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Viṣṇupurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.544](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.544) · Pramāṇa