A Study of the Bhagavata Purana or Esoteric Hinduism Part 26

_Seven Rivers:_ - Raaskulya, Madhukulya, Mitravinda, Srutavinda, Deva Garbha, Ghutachynta, and Mantramala.

_Divisions of People:_ - Kusala, Kovida, Abhiyukta and Kulaka.

_Presiding Deity:_ - Agni (Fire-G.o.d).

_Krouncha Dvipa:_ - Twice as large as Kusa, surrounded by an ocean of milk equally large. Named after the Krouncha Mountain. The Krouncha Mountain was attacked by Kartikeya and injured too. But the Milk Ocean and the presiding deity Varuna saved it.

_King:_ - Ghritaprestha son of Priyavrata.

_Seven Varshas:_ - atma, Madhuruha, Meghapristha, Sudhawan, Bhrajistha, Lohitarna, Vanaspati.

_Seven Mountains:_ - Sukla, Vardhaman, Bhajana, Upavarhaha, Nauda, Nandana and Sarvato-bhadra.

_Seven Rivers:_ - Abhoya, Amritougha, aryuka, Tirthavati, Rupavati, Pavitravati and Sukla.

_Divisions of people:_ - Purasha, Rishabha, Dravina and Devaka.

_Presiding Deity:_ apas (Water-G.o.d.)

_Saka Dvipa:_ - 32 laksha Yojanas. Surrounded by an ocean of curds - equally extensive.

_Tree:_ - Saka (Teak wood tree) very fragrant.

_King:_ - Medhat.i.thi, son of Priyavrata.

_Seven Varshas:_ - Purojava, Manojava, Vepamana, Dhumranika, Chitrarepha, Bahurupa and Visva-dhara.

_Seven Mountains:_ - Isana, Uru Sringa, Balabhadra, Sata Kesara, Sahasra-srotas, Devapala and Mohanasa.

_Seven Rivers:_ - Anagha, ayurda, Ubhayaspriti, Aparajita, Punchapadi, Sahasra Sruti and Nijadhriti.

_Division of people:_ - Ritavrata, Satyavrata, Danavrata and Anuvrata.

_Presiding Deity:_ - Vayu (Wind-G.o.d).

_Puskkara Dvipa:_ - Twice as large as Saka Dvipa surrounded by an ocean of pure water - equally extensive: There is a big Pushkara or Lotus plant with thousands of golden leaves. The Lotus is known as the seat of Brahma.

Standing between two Varshas, eastern and western, is the Manasattara Mountain ten thousand Yojanas high. On the four sides of this Mountain are four abodes of the Lokapalas = Indra and others.

Over these abodes the Sanvatsava or Uttarayana Daks.h.i.+nayana wheel (_chakra_) of the Sun's chariot moves in its course round Meru.

Vitihotra, Son of Priyavrata, is the king of this Varsha.

His two sons Ramanaka and Dhataka are the lords of two Varshas named after them.

The people of those Varshas wors.h.i.+p Brahma by Yajna performances.

Beyond the Ocean of pure water is the Lokaloka (Loka and Aloka) Mountain, dividing Loka, the regions lighted by the sun, from Aloka or the regions not lighted by the sun.

As much land as there is between Manasottara and Meru, so much golden land is there on the other side of the pure water ocean. It is like the surface of the mirror. If any thing is thrown on that land, it is not regained. It is therefore forsaken by all beings. [The land between Manasottara and Meru is one krore and a half _plus_ seven and a half lakhs. There is as much land on the other side of the Pure Water Ocean.

There are living beings in that land. Beyond that is the golden land.

That land is eight krores and thirty nine laksha yojanas wide. It is thus that the distance between Meru and Lokaloka comes to be 12 1/2 krores as mentioned below. This is also said in the Siva Tantra.

Two krores 53 lakshas and 50 thousand this is the measure of the seven Dvipas with the Oceans. Beyond that is the golden land which is 10 Krores of Yojanas. This is used by the Devas as their play-ground.

Beyond that is Lokaloka. The ten krores include the previously mentioned land, "Forsaken by all beings" - this is to be understood with the exception of the Devas, for it is mentioned as the play-ground of the Devas. _Sridhara._]

In order to understand the commentary of _Sridhara_, let us examine the figures.

Jambu Dvipa with Ocean on one side of Meru:

... ... 150,000 Yojanas

Plaksha Dvipa with Ocean on one side of Meru:

... ... 400,000

Salmali Do. ... ... 800,000

Kusa Do. .. ... 1,600,000

Krouncha Do. .. ... 3,200,000

Saka Do. .. ... 6,400,000

Pushkar Do..... 12,800,000

Deduct Pure water Ocean as it is not included between Meru and Manasottara:

... ... 6,400,000

------------ 18,950,000

Manasottara stands half way in Pushkara, as it stands between two Varshas. Deduct distance between Manasottara and Pure Water Ocean:

... 3,200,000

------------ 15,750,000

The distance between Meru and Manasottara is 1 1/2 Krores and 7 1/2 lakhs.

According to Sridhara, there is this much land on the other side of the Pure Water Ocean.

Beyond that land is the Golden land which according to _Sridhara_ is:

... ... 83900000 Yojanas

Thus we get Dvipas and Oceans ... 25350000 "

Land beyond Pure Water Oceans ... 15750000 "