The island-continent called Plaksa,^ twice in extent to that of Jambudvipa, stands surrounding the milky ocean (rather—thebrimy sea).*

O leading Brahmanas, there are seven Kulaparvatas (ranges of border Mountains) in the Plaksa Dvipa. They have thousands ofSiddhas* inhabiting them and are well-divided.

Gomeda is the first among them (i.e. Kulaparvatas). The second is called Candra. The others are Narada, Dundu- bhi, Maniman and Meghanisvana. Vaibhraja is the seventh among them. It is the most beloved of Brahma. The unborn god Brahma, the Atman of the Universe, the perceiver of the Universe, (the omniscient) deity, the cosmic witness of all, is worshipped by Devas, sages, Gandharvas and Siddhas. The countries therein are holy. There are no ailments or mental agonies.

Gomeda is the first among them (i.e. Kulaparvatas). The second is called Candra. The others are Narada, Dundu- bhi, Maniman and Meghanisvana. Vaibhraja is the seventh among them. It is the most beloved of Brahma. The unborn god Brahma, the Atman of the Universe, the perceiver of the Universe, (the omniscient) deity, the cosmic witness of all, is worshipped by Devas, sages, Gandharvas and Siddhas. The countries therein are holy. There are no ailments or mental agonies.

Gomeda is the first among them (i.e. Kulaparvatas). The second is called Candra. The others are Narada, Dundu- bhi, Maniman and Meghanisvana. Vaibhraja is the seventh among them. It is the most beloved of Brahma. The unborn god Brahma, the Atman of the Universe, the perceiver of the Universe, (the omniscient) deity, the cosmic witness of all, is worshipped by Devas, sages, Gandharvas and Siddhas. The countries therein are holy. There are no ailments or mental agonies.

There are no persons committing sins in any way. The rivers in those sub-continents are seven and they fall into the sea. In them the Brahmanical sages always worship Pitamaha (God Brahma). The well-known names of these rivers are Anutapta, Sikha, Vipapa, Tridiva, Krta, Amrta and Sukrta. There are many well-known small rivers and many lakes as well.

There are no persons committing sins in any way. The rivers in those sub-continents are seven and they fall into the sea. In them the Brahmanical sages always worship Pitamaha (God Brahma). The well-known names of these rivers are Anutapta, Sikha, Vipapa, Tridiva, Krta, Amrta and Sukrta. There are many well-known small rivers and many lakes as well.

There are no persons committing sins in any way. The rivers in those sub-continents are seven and they fall into the sea. In them the Brahmanical sages always worship Pitamaha (God Brahma). The well-known names of these rivers are Anutapta, Sikha, Vipapa, Tridiva, Krta, Amrta and Sukrta. There are many well-known small rivers and many lakes as well.

In these continents, there is no revolution of the cycle of the different Yugas. Men are long-lived. They are classified as Aryakas, Kururas, Videhas, Bhavins, etc., and are said to be the four castes viz. the Brahmanas, Ksatriyas, and it indicates the land of warm temperate climate of the mediterranean basin (M. Ali— Geog. of the Piirdnas, pp. 39-42). F. Wilford shows how the name Plaksa still persists in Placia, a town in Mysia. The inhabitants speak a peculiar dialect spoken by Pelagsi of Cristone—spoken by the Pelagsis who lived on the shores of Hellespont at the time of Herodotus {Asiatic Researches VlII. 267-346). The close similarity in the names Plaksa, Pelagsi is significant. V. V. Iyer, in ‘The Seven Dvipas of the Puranas’ locates Plaksa dvipa in Greece and adjoining lands i.e. the climatically Mediterra¬ nean belt. The above approach of identifying these dvipas or ‘human regions’ by their climate and vegetation is saner than speculating their identity on the basis of the mountains or rivers as the names of these can be distorted to suit one’s theory. "‘The reading should be : rjvdyatdh as in V. 14 below. It means : ‘‘The mountains are broad and straight.” 316 Kurma Purana Vaisyas and Sudras in this continent. Lord Isa is worshipped by the people of all castes residing there.

In these continents, there is no revolution of the cycle of the different Yugas. Men are long-lived. They are classified as Aryakas, Kururas, Videhas, Bhavins, etc., and are said to be the four castes viz. the Brahmanas, Ksatriyas, and it indicates the land of warm temperate climate of the mediterranean basin (M. Ali— Geog. of the Piirdnas, pp. 39-42). F. Wilford shows how the name Plaksa still persists in Placia, a town in Mysia. The inhabitants speak a peculiar dialect spoken by Pelagsi of Cristone—spoken by the Pelagsis who lived on the shores of Hellespont at the time of Herodotus {Asiatic Researches VlII. 267-346). The close similarity in the names Plaksa, Pelagsi is significant. V. V. Iyer, in ‘The Seven Dvipas of the Puranas’ locates Plaksa dvipa in Greece and adjoining lands i.e. the climatically Mediterra¬ nean belt. The above approach of identifying these dvipas or ‘human regions’ by their climate and vegetation is saner than speculating their identity on the basis of the mountains or rivers as the names of these can be distorted to suit one’s theory. "‘The reading should be : rjvdyatdh as in V. 14 below. It means : ‘‘The mountains are broad and straight.” 316 Kurma Purana Vaisyas and Sudras in this continent. Lord Isa is worshipped by the people of all castes residing there.

O leading sages, they have the Empire of Soma (v.l. intimate union with) and similarity of form of Soma. All of them are engaged in pious duties. All of them are delighted in their minds.

They live without any ailment for five thousand years. The island continent Salmali^ is twice the Plaksadvipa in extent and is encircled by the sea of sugarcane juice. There are seven Varsas (sub-continents) and seven dividing ranges of mountains there also.

They live without any ailment for five thousand years. The island continent Salmali^ is twice the Plaksadvipa in extent and is encircled by the sea of sugarcane juice. There are seven Varsas (sub-continents) and seven dividing ranges of mountains there also.

O observers of good vows, the mountains are long and straight with excellent knots (and ridges). The rivers are also seven in number. The names of the mountains are Kumuda, Annada, Balahaka, Drona, Kaihsa, Mahisa and Kakudman. The rivers that dispel the sins of the people are—Yoni, Toya, Vitrsna, Gandra, Sukla, Vimocani and Nivrtti. O excellent Brahmanas, there is no avarice or anger among the people.

O observers of good vows, the mountains are long and straight with excellent knots (and ridges). The rivers are also seven in number. The names of the mountains are Kumuda, Annada, Balahaka, Drona, Kaihsa, Mahisa and Kakudman. The rivers that dispel the sins of the people are—Yoni, Toya, Vitrsna, Gandra, Sukla, Vimocani and Nivrtti. O excellent Brahmanas, there is no avarice or anger among the people.

O observers of good vows, the mountains are long and straight with excellent knots (and ridges). The rivers are also seven in number. The names of the mountains are Kumuda, Annada, Balahaka, Drona, Kaihsa, Mahisa and Kakudman. The rivers that dispel the sins of the people are—Yoni, Toya, Vitrsna, Gandra, Sukla, Vimocani and Nivrtti. O excellent Brahmanas, there is no avarice or anger among the people.

There is no fixation of the period for the different Yugas. People live without ailment. The people of all castes worship the eternal Vayu there. 18-19a. It is but proper that they achieve this (v.l. they realize Sayujya VfY>e. of salvation with him (i.e. Vayu). They realise the Sarupyaand Salokatd forms of salvation (with Vayu). Brahmanas are mentioned to be tawny coloured. The kings are pink in complexion. O Brahmanas, in this continent the Vaisyas are yellow-coloured and the Sudras are black. 19b-22. Kusa-dvipa which is twice the extent of Salamali- dvipa stands encircling Suroda (the ocean of wine). The seven mountains (thereof) are: Vidruma, Homa, (v.l. Hema) Dyutiman, Puspavan, Kusesaya, Hari and Mandara. The seven great rivers are Dhutapapa, Siva, Pavitra, Sammita, Vidyut, Prabha and Rama. O Brahmanas, there are hundreds of other auspicious rivers with crystal-like water.

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The following are the main rivers viz. Gauri, Kumu- dvati, Sandhya, Ratri, Manojava, Kobhi and Pundarikaksa.

O excellent Brahmanas, the four castes are Puskala, Puskara, Dhanya and Tisya respectively (in the places of) Brahmanas, Ksatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras.

They worship Mahadeva by the performance of sacrifices, charitable gifts, self-control, etc., holy vows, fasts, Homas, and Tarpana rites of the Pitrs.

Thanks to the grace of Rudra, they attain Rudra- Sayujya, the rarest Sarupya (with Rudra), Salokata (co-residence with Rudra in his region) and Samipya (nearness).

Saka-dvipa^ is twice the extent of Kraunca-

The mountains thereof are, Udaya, Raivata, Syama, Kasthagiri (v.l. syamaka, Astagiri), Ambikeya, Ramya and Kesarin.

The main rivers are—Sukumari, Kumari, Nalini, Venuka, Iksuka, Dhenuka and Gabhasti.

Men who drink waters of these rivers live there free from ailments, sorrow, passion and hatred.

The Brahmanas, Ksatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras are respectively called Mrga, Magadha, Manasa and Mandagas.

By performing holy rites and observances of various sorts, they perpetually worship Divakara (the sun-god) the lord of Devas, the sole witness of all worlds.

O Brahmanas, thanks to the favour of the Sun, they attain Sayujya (identity) with the sun, Samipya (nearness), Sarupata (similarity in appearance) and Salokata (residence in the solar region).

Encircling the Saka Dvipa is the ocean of milk, and in its middle is Sveta dvipa. The people thereof are devoted to Narayana.

The territories thereof are meritorious and full of miracles. Men born there are white in complexion. They are devoted to Visnu.

There is neither mental agony nor physical illness; there is no fear of old age or death. People are devoid of anger and covetousness, delusion and mutual rivalry.

They are forever magnificently provided and thriving. They are devoid of dispiritedness and awe; they are perpetually delighted and they enjoy pleasures forever. They are equal to (or look like) Narayana and are devotedly attached to Narayana.

Some of them, Yogins of fully controlled sense-organs are always devoted to meditation. Some perform Japas. Some perform penance; while others are endowed with perfect spiri¬ tual wisdom.

Others are purified by meditating upon Brahman and by observing jVtVfeja (“seedless”) yoga. They meditate on the great Brahman, the eternal Vasudeva.

Others are Ekantins (followers of Ekanti-dharma) without support (solely depending on him). They are great •devotees of the lord. They see the great Brahman called Visnu beyond Tamas (of ignorance).

All of them have the four-armed form; They are the wielders of Sankha, Gakra and Gada (mace); all of them wear good yellow robes; their chests are marked by the line of golden liair called Srivatsa.

Others are devoted to Mahesvara. Their foreheads, are marked by Tripundras (three lines of ashes on the forehead), refulgence emanating through practice of excellent Yoga. They have great Garudas as their vehicles.

All are endowed with Sakti; they have perpetual bliss and they are pure. Persons who closely move with Visnu stay there.

The city of Narayana named Narayanapura is also there. It is impassable to others; it cannot be assailed or trans¬ gressed ; it is heightened in beauty by means of palaces.