An Index to the Names in the Mahabharata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c5.s2.443

c5.s2.443

Bhūmiparvan(°va) ("the section relating to the earth"; the 58th of the minor parvans of Mbhbr.).—§ 10 (Parvas.): I, 2, (337).—[§ 575]: Dhṛtarāṣṭra wishes to hear about the extent of the ocean, of Çakadvīpa, etc. (a). Sañjaya describes the seven [great] islands, the moon and the sun, and Rāhu. Jambu-parvata (i.e. Jambu-dvīpa, v. Nil.) extends for 18,600 yojanas. The extent of the salt ocean is twice this; it has many kingdoms, mountains, etc., peopled by Si. and Cā., and is circular in form. Then Çakadvīpa (b) (VI, 11). In the North is the ocean of clarified butter; then that of curds; then that of wine; then another of water. The extent of the islands is doubled as they proceed further and further towards the North. In the island in the middle is the great mountain Gaura of red arsenic; in the western the mountain Kṛṣṇa, the friend (i.e. favourite abode, PCR.) of Nārāyaṇa, where Keçava guards celestial gems and bestows happiness on creatures. The clump of Kuça-grass in Kuça-dvīpa and the Çalmalī tree in Çalmalika are adored. In the Krauñca island also the mountain Mahā-Krauñca (a mine of all kinds of gems) is always adored by all four castes of men. There is the huge mountain Gomanta (consisting of all kinds of metals), whereon, with the emancipated (mokṣabhiḥ), the puissant Nārāyaṇa Hari always resides. In Kuçadvīpa are six principal mountains (e); the intervening spaces increase in the ratio of one to two as they proceed further and further towards the North; and seven Varṣas (ζ), where D. and G., etc., sport, and the inhabitants never die, and there are no robbers or Mlecchas; all the residents are almost white and very delicate. In the Krauñca island are six mountains (η); the intervening spaces increase in the ratio of one to two; there are seven countries (deçāḥ) (θ), inhabited by D. and G.; the people are almost white. In the island of Puṣkara is the mountain Puṣkara, with jewels and gems; there Prajāpati always dwells, adored by D. and M.-ṛ.; diverse gems from Jambu-dvīpa are used there. In all these islands truth, etc., increase in the ratio of one to two, as the islands become more and more remote. The land in all those islands comprises but one country, for that is said to be one country in which one religion is met with. Prajāpati always dwells there, protecting those islands. Cooked food comes there of itself. After those regions is seen Samā (c). Then he speaks of Svarbhānu (d; v. Rāhu), Candramas (e), Sūrya (f). "I have now told thee the construction of the universe according to the Çastras. Therefore pacify thy son Duryodhana." .Blessing upon the reader (VI, 12).