Some Geography

You have already been told that the world is divided into seven dvipas, Jambu, Shalmali, Krouuncha, Plaksha, Shaka, Pushkara and Kusha. The seven dvipas are surrounded by seven oceans. Their names are Lavana, Ikshu, Sura, Sarpi, Dadhi, Dugdha and Jala. Jambudvipa is right in the middle. And in the middle of Jambudvipa is the golden-hued Mount Meru. If the earth were to be a lotus flower, Mount Meru would be the stamen.

To the south of Mount Meru lies first Bharatavarsha, then Kimpurushavarsha and eventually Harivarsha. To the north lies first Ramyaka, then Hiranmaya and eventually the norhtern part of Kuruvarsha. Mount Meru is actually in Ilavritavarsha. And on four sides of Mount Meru are four mountains. To the east is Mandara, to the south Gandhamadana, to the west Vipula and to the north Suparshva. These mountains have a lot of jambu or jamun trees. That is why the region is known as Jambudvipa There are four beautiful lakes around Mount Meru. Their names are Arunoda, Mahabhadra, Asitoda and Manasa. On the peak of Mount Meru is Brahma’s famous city.