Adhyaya 34

हिन्दी अर्थ

बाले, देवी पावंती के प्रियका रक, जटाधारी दण्डधारी, साँप का यज्ञीपवीत धारण करने वाले, नाचने वाले,

English

On hearing of the establishment of the people, the clever and eminent sage asked Suta about the length and extent of the earth. O holy sir, how many continents, or oceans or moun¬ tains arc there? How many Varsas( sub-continents) are there and what are the rivers in them. Explain factually to us in details, the magnitude of the great elements and of the Lokaloka mountain, the circum¬ ference, the size and the course of movements of the sun and the moon.

हिन्दी अर्थ

» धनुश्चित्वान्तगंतग्रन्यो क, पुस्तके नास्ति।

English

Henceforth I shall explain the length and extent of the earth, the number of oceans and continents in details. I shall tell you how many countries ( Varfas ) there are and whatthe rivers (are) therein. (Now) I shall tell you the magnitude of the great elements, the Lokaloka mountain range, There are thousands of countries and islands in the seven continents. They cannot be described in details with sufficient evidence, even in hundreds of years.

हिन्दी अर्थ

जटिने दण्डिने तुभ्यं व्यालयज्ञोपवीतिने । नमोःस्तु नृत्यशोलाय वाह्यनुत्यप्रियाय च ।

English

One shall not make conjectures about inconceivable objects and worlds. That which is beyond Prakj-ti is called eternal. I shall describe to you factually Jambudvipa consisting of nine Varsas. Understand its extent and zones in Yojanas. It extends to a hundred thousand Yojanas. It is full of different rural localities and various splendid cities. It is embellished with the (colonies of) Siddhas, Caranas and Gandharvas and with mountains as well. It has mountains abounding in minerals and variegated rocks. It has many rivers rising from mountains.

हिन्दी अर्थ

मनन्‍्यवे गतिशीलाय सुगीति गायते नमः । कटककराय भीमाय चोग्ररूपधराय च

English

Jambudvipa is immense, glorious and surrounded by nine (Khan<jlas Zones?) inhabited by living beings. It is encircled on all sides by salt-sea. All round Jambudvipa, extending to its entire length, the six mountain systems stretch to the east. 1 They have excellent ridges. They extend to both sides plunging into the eastern and The mountain Himavat is full of snow. Hemakuta is full of gold; Nisadha is golden having the lustre of the midday sun.

हिन्दी अर्थ

चलते क़ीडते चव लम्बोदरशरीरिण । नमस्कृताय कम्पाय मुण्डाय विकराय च

English

The golden Meru of four colours is known as the highest. 2 Leaping up in symmetrical shapes on all sides it rises up. On its sides it has various colours. It is endowed with the attributes of Prajapati. It is born of the umbilical knot of Brahma, of unmanifest origin. It is white on the east, hence its Brahmanahood. It is yellow on the south, hence its Vaisyahood.

हिन्दी अर्थ

नम उन्मत्तवेषाय किकिणीकाय वे सनः । नमो विक्ृतवेबाय क़्रोग्रामषंगाय च

English

These are called Varfa parvatas as they divide one Vara (sub-continent or country) from another. For their location and modem name vide Supra Ch. 1, , note 2. Verses 15-23 describe.the pivotal mount Meru. About its shape and size there is a conscnus among Puranas like KP, Mt. P., Bd. P., Mk. P. M. Ali (AGP, p -50) points out that Persians, Greeks, Chinese, Jews and Arabs confirm the traditional nodality of Meru. After discussing the problems, he shows that Mt. Meru of Puranas is identical with the Pamirs in Central Asia. On the west it is black like the aloe leaf. It is very hard, and renders services to many.

हिन्दी अर्थ

(+नमस्तोकाय तनवे गुणेरप्रतिमाय व । नमो गणाय गुह्माय गम्याय गमनाय च) १५० लोकधात्री त्वियं भूमि: पादो सज्जनसेवितों । सर्वेषां सिद्धयोगानामधि७ष्ठानं तवोदरस् १५१ मध्येडन्तरिक्ष॑ विस्तीर्ण तारागणविभुषितस् । तारापथ इवा55भाति श्रीमान्हारस्तवोरसि.

English

Its northern side has a natural red colour. Hence its Ksattriya-hood. Thus all its colours are described. Its manifest characteristic are described according to its colour and effects. The Nila mountain is full of Lapis lazuli; Svetasrhga, full of gold; Spigavan is of gold but variegated in colour like peacock feathers. These lordly mountains are resorted to by Caranas and Siddhas. Their inner girth is said to be nine thousand (Yojanas). It is in the centre of Ilavrta which surrounds it. It extends to nine thousand Yojanas. In the centre of the Meru, there is a smokeless fire.

हिन्दी अर्थ

दिशा दश भुजास्ते वे केपूराज्धादभूषिताः । विस्तीर्णपरिणाहश्व नीलाम्बुदचयोपस: १५३ कण्ठस्ते शोभते श्रीमान्हेमसूत्रविभूषित: । दंष्ट्राकरालदुर्धष मनौपम्यं सुखं तव १४४

English

The southern and the northern halves of Meru come together like the middle of the sacrificial altar. The seven mountain systems of the seven countries (Varsas) are two thousand Yojanas long and as much high. Their length is said to be similar to that of Jam- budvipa. The two middling mountains, Nila and Nisadha are a hundred thousand Yojanas in length; the other (four mountains) are shorter (in length) than these. (They are) Sveta, Hemakuta, Himavan, and Sfngavan. Out of these mountains Sveta and Hemakuta are each ninety thousand Yojanas long. (Mountains Himavan and Spigavan) are each eighty thousand in length. There are Janapadas (territories) in between them. The Varsas are seven in number. They are encircled by mountains that are difficult to cross on account of steep precipices. They are criss¬ crossed by different rivers. It was impossible to travel from one Varsa to another (lit. they were mutually unapproachable). Animals of different species live in them. This Varsa deriving its name fromHimavatis well known y the name Bharata. Hemakutais beyond this. It is remembered

हिन्दी अर्थ

तृत्य-वाद्य के प्रेमी, यज्ञस्वरूप, गायक, सुगीति, गीतशील, कटककर, ( ? ) भयद्ूर उम्र रूपधारी, विभीषण, भीम, भग ( देवता ) मन्यनकर्ता, सिद्धसमूह द्वारा प्रशंसित, महाभाग अट्ुहासकर्ता, ( सिहनाद ) करने वाले, कदने वाले और प्रमुदित हैं, आपको नमस्कार है १४० १४५॥ आप अद्भुत, शयनशील, घावमान, प्रस्थित, घ्याता, जम्हाई लेने वाले, पीड़क, पलायनकर्ता, चलमान, क्रीड़ारत, लम्बोदार, नमस्कृत, कम्प, मुण्ड, विकट,

English

Naisadha (Var fa is beyond) Hemakuta. It is called middle)"* ll&Vm " be y° nd Harivarsa (with Meru in the Nila is beyond Ilavfta and is well-known by the name Ramyaka. Beyond Ramyaka is Sveta and is well known as The two sub-continents in the south and north should be known as situated in tne form of a bow. Four others are situated lengthwise and the middle one is Ilavrta. 1

हिन्दी अर्थ

प्रिय, वाद. नगवाली अंगूठी पहने हुये, स्तोक, तनु, अनृपम गुण वाले, गण, गुह्म, गम्य, गमन हैं, आपको नमस्कार है।!४६-१५०। है भगवन् ! यह लोकधात्री प्रृथ्वी, आपका सज्जन-सेवित पदयुगल है और नारायण से विभूषित जो विस्तीर्ण अन्तरिक्षमध्य है, वही आपका उदर है, जो सम्पूर्ण सिद्ध-योगियों का अधि- पठान है। आपकी छाती का हार तारापथ ( आकाश गंगा ) की तरह शोभायमान है। दसो दिशायें

English

Vedyardha which is on the hitherside of Nisadha is known as southern Vedyardha and that which is beyond the Nilavan is the northern Vedyardha. On the southern side of Vedyardha there are three Varsas and three on the northern side. The mountain Gandhamadana should be known as situated to its west. In length and extent it is reputed to be like Malyavan. 2 This is the seven-continent concept of the earth in the Puranas. It may be diagrammatically represented as follows:

हिन्दी अर्थ

आपकी भुजाये हैं, जो केयूर और अज्भद से विभूषित हैं। विशाल और विस्तोर्ण नील मेघों क। समृह आपका कण्ठ है, जो विद्युल्लता रूपी हेमसूत्र से विभूषित है ।११५१-१५३३। आपका अनृपम मुख दल्तपंक्ति से कराल

English

The Puranas differ about the location of these mountains. But here Mt. Malyavan due to its association with Gandhamadana and Meru may be identified with the Sarikol range, as Gandhamadana was the northern ridge of the great Hindukush arch with* its northern extension, the Khwaja Mahammad {AGP, p -59). In between the two, there is the four-coloured, golden four-cornered, lofty, excellent mountain Meru. From the unmanifest, the elements of water etc. are born. From the unmanifest the great lotus of the earth is evolved. Its pericarp is the four-cornered Meru that is five times great.

हिन्दी अर्थ

१७६ बायुपुराणमभ्

English

O excellent Brahmanas, then all the deities were bom. The noble Purusottama was born with his Atman purified by merits earned through many Kalpas previously. Then there was born Mahadeva, the great Yogin, the great lord who is elderly to the universe which he pervades, and who is infinite and formless. He has no form evolved out of Prakr-ti, that is to say no form of flesh, fat or bone; with his Yogic power and lordly nature, he pervades the universe. From him as the cause, was born the eternal lotus of the worlds. As the natural sequence of time, it occurred at the advent of the Kalpa (?)

हिन्दी अर्थ

जपो जप्यो महायोगी महादेवों महेश्वरः । पुरेशयो गरुहाबासो खेचरो रजनोचरः ११५७ तपोनिधिर्गुहगुरुनंन्दनों नन्दिवर्धन: । हयशीर्षों धराधाता विधाता भूतियाहनः

English

In that lotus was born the four-faced lord of Devas, Brahma, the chief of Prajapatis, the lord of the universe. Of its sides of different colours the eastern side is white; the southern is yellow; the western is black; and the northern is red. With variegated colours shining brightly, Meru is established like a king. It is as refulgent as the midday sun or the smokeless fire. It is eighty four thousand Yojanas in height.

हिन्दी अर्थ

बाँठ्वव्यो बोधनों नेता धूर्वहो दुष्प्रकम्पकः । वहद्रथो भीमकर्मा बृह॒त्कीतिधेनंजय:

English

Its depth below the surface of the earth is sixteen thousand Yojanas and at its base it extends also as much. It is situated like an arrow pointing to the east. Its diameter at the summit is thirtytwo thousand Yojanas. Its girth all round is thrice its lateral extent. The spherical curvature is half of it. It lies in three angles. Its extent all round is forty thousand Yojanas. In the angular calculation, it will be eight thousand more.

हिन्दी अर्थ

घप्टाप्रियो ध्वजी छत्री पताकाध्वजिनीपति: कवची पट्टिसी शद्धी पाशहस्तः परश्वभृत्

English

In the quadrangular calculation the girth is fortyeight thousand Yojanas. That mountain is extremely rich in divine medicinal herbs. It is encircled by auspicious golden worlds. All the groups of Devas, Gandharvas,Uragas,Raksasas and splendid Apsaras-s, are seen on that lordly mountain. 1

हिन्दी अर्थ

अगस्त्वमनघः शूरो देवराजारिसर्दनः । त्वां प्रसाद्य पुरास्माभिद्विषन्तो निहेता युधि १६१ अग्निस्त्वं चारणवान्सर्वान्पिबन्नेव न तृप्यसे । क्रोधागारः प्रसब्नात्मा कामहा कासदः प्रियः

English

That Meru, the purifier of living beings, is encircled by worlds. Four lands are established on its different sides. 2 They are Bhadrasva (to the east), Bharata (in the south), Ketumala in the west, and the Kurus in the north. Sailarajaih is emended as Sailaraje as in A,

हिन्दी अर्थ

ब्रह्मण्यो ब्रह्मचारी च गोध्नस्त्वं शिष्टपूजित: वेदानामव्ययः कोशस्त्वया यज्ञः प्रकल्पित:ः:

English

Verses 56-57 state in a nutshell the # CaXur-duipi concept as follows The pericarp of- that lotus is spherical all round extending to ninety-six thousand Yojanas. The internal measure¬ ment is eighty-four thousand Yojanas.

हिन्दी अर्थ

हव्यं च बेदं बहति वेदोक्त॑ हुव्यवाहन: । प्रीते त्वयि महादेव बय॑ प्रीता भवामहे

English

Its filaments extend to three hundred thousand Yojanas in all directions. It has fourpetals to thefour quarters, ahundred thousand Yojanas in length and eighty thousand in width. Listen attentively to the description of what I had called before the pericarp and know it briefly.

हिन्दी अर्थ

भवानीशोष्नादिसान्धास राशिब्रह्या लोकानां त्वं कर्ता त्वादिसगं: ।

English

Atri 1 thought it has a hundred angles or corners; sage Bhrgu, one thousand. According to Savarni; it is octangular, and a quadrangle according to Bhaguri. Varsayani opines that it is four-sided; Galava thinks it has the shape of a saucer; Gargya regards it as twisted braided hair; while Krostaki conjectures it to be spherical.

हिन्दी अर्थ

एवं दुरउु्ष है। पद्ममाला से मण्डित भापके शिर पर पणड़ी की शोभा ऐसी हो रही है मानो सूर्यमण्डल में दीप्ति, चन्द्रमा में वायु, पृथ्वी में स्थैयं, वायु में बल, अग्नि में तीक्षणता, चन्द्रमा में प्रभा, आकाश में शब्द और जल में शीतलता हो । ये सब अधिसाशी, उत्तम और स्थिर जितने गुण हैं, वे आपके ही हैं, विद्वान लोग ऐसा ही कहते हैं ।१५४-१४५। आप जप, जप्य, महायोगी हादेव, महेश्वर, पुरेशय, ग्रुद्ावासी

English

Each of these sages knew only that side of this lordly mountain which was near him. Only Brahma knows the entire Know that Meru, the most excellent of mountains, The various quarters set up on the mountain contain thousands of great Devas capable of bestowing desired fruits. They have occupied the great regions there. Here is a glorious assembly-hall of Brahma, resorted to by several Brahmanical sages. It is known as Manovatl in all the worlds.

हिन्दी अर्थ

बोधन, नेता, धबं, दुष्प्ररम्पक, बृहद्रथ, भीमकर्मा, वृहत्कीति, घनड्जय, बण्टाप्रिय, ध्वजी, छ॑त्री, पताका रथवषति, कबची, पट्टिगी, झ्ंद्धी, पाशहस्त, परश्वभृत् अग, अनघ, शूर और इच्द्रशत्र बविनाशक हैं। आपको प्रसन्न करके हम लोगों ने पूव॑काल में युद्ध में शत्रुओं को मार। है ।१५६-१६१। आबष अग्नि हैं। सब समुद्रों को पीकर भी आप तुृप्त नहीं हुये हैं। आप क्रोधागार प्रसचन्नात्मा, काम को मारबैवाले. काम को देनेवाले,

English

The great aerial chariot of lord Isana, having the brilliance of a thousand suns, is there proclaiming its own glory. Devas and sages (stay there) near Brahma. The mass of splendour (god Brahma?) is glorified there. I shall describe it to you now.

हिन्दी अर्थ

स्रिय, ब्रह्मण्य, ब्रह्मचारी गोघ्न, झिध्टपूजित वेदों का अविनाशी कोष, प्रकल्पित यज्ञ और हब्यवाहव हैं। आप बेदोक्त हृव्य कों घारण करते हैं। आपके प्रसन्न होने से ही हम सब प्रसन्न होते हैं।१६२-१६३२। आप ईश, अनादि, तेजोराशि, लोककर्ता और लोकसृष्टि-कारक हैं। सांख्यज्ञाता योगिगण आपकी प्रकृति से श्रेष्ठ ज्ञान लाभ कर मृत्यु मुख से बचक्रर अमर हो जाते हैं।१६४। नित्ययुक्त योगिमण योगबल से आपको जानकर

English

The glorious lord of riches, the thousand-eyed Indra, stays here honoured by Devas and the celestial sages of great Yogic prowess. Here alone is the region of lord Indra, the great monarch, the lord of the worlds. It is as refulgent as the sun. It is bowed to by all Siddhas. Here is the region of Indra endowed with the highest prosperity of the world. It is brightened by the excellent immortal Devas and is ever resorted to by them.

हिन्दी अर्थ

अप्रमेयस्य तत्त्वस्य यथा विद्मः स्वशक्तित:। कीतितं तब माहात्म्यमपारं परमात्मनः ॥ शिवो नो भव सत्र योईसि सो5सि नमोष्स्तु ते. ः १६७

English

In the second inner ridge, in the intermediate point between the east and the south, is the famous splendid assembly- The Fire-god is the intermediary and a distinguished deity of Brahmanas. Though he is indivisible, his splendour i s shared by all. He, the lord of splendour, assumes various forms His diversity both as the cause and effect is perceptible through concentrated mind. 5

हिन्दी अर्थ

इति श्रीमहापुराणे वायुप्रोक्ते शार्वस्तवों नाम चतुविशोड्ध्याय:

English

In the third inner ridge is a great assembly-hall of Vawasvata (god of death). It is known as Susamyama They are resorted to by the sages, Devas, Gandharvas, Apsaras-s and serpents, who come for worship. What is known and called by the synonyms of heaven, viz. Nakapjrstha, Diva and Svarga, by those who know the Vedas and their ancillaries is this. It is here where Devas live. It is so said in the Vedas. One attains this Devaloka by various observances, restraints, sacrifices or different sorts of meritorious deeds. It is called Svarga also.