Dveepaas surrounding Jamboo Dveepa and Pushkara Dveepa

↑

⇐ ПредыдущаяСтр 18 из 91Следующая ⇒

Jamboo Dveepa

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 1:

Maitreya uvaacha –

Kathito bhavataa brahman sargah svaayambhuvasya me |
Shrotum icchaami aham tvattah sakalam mandalam bhuvah ||

Maitreya said – In Svaayambhuva manvantara, the details of the people who lived there, the vamsha paramparaa, was told by you, O Brahman (Addressing Paraasharar as Brahmavit). Now, I would like to listen from you the expanse of this whole world.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 2:

Yaavantah saagaraah dveepaah tathaa varshaani parvataah |
Vanaani saritah puryo devaadeenaam tathaa mune ||

What was the expanse over the oceans, the islands, the countries, the lands, the mountains, the forests, the streams, the cities, of devaas and all others. How the universe was divided, and what were the countries, I would like to know.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Yaavantah iti | Dviraapatvaat dveepah | Varshaani kulaadryavacchinnaah dveepa amshaah | Varsha shabda nirvachanam maatsya uktam * Vasantyrushantyo varsheshu prajaa yeshu chaturvidhaa | Rishirityesha ramane varshatvam tena teshu tat || Iti |

Dveepa is explained as waters in two directions. The boundary of land, that space is called as varsha, which is bounded by kula parvataas, mountains. Varsha is where four kinds of people live,

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 3:

Yat pramaanam idam sarvam yat aadhaaram yat aatmakam |
Samsthaanam asya cha mune yathaavat vaktum arhasi ||

What is the measure of all these. What was the expanse of all these. In whom was all these established, and controlled by whom, supported by whom. Please do tell me as it is.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 4:

Sri Paraasharah –

Maitreya shrooyataam etat samkshepaat gatado sama |
Na asya varsha shatena api vaktum shakyo hi vistarah ||

Sri Paraasharar – O Maitreya, I am going to tell you very briefly. Do listen to me. Even if I explain for hundred years, I will not be able to tell the complete details of this whole universe; it is so vast.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 5:

Jamboo plakshaahvayou dveepou shaalmaleeschaaparo dvija |
Kushah krounchah tathaa shaakhah pushkarah cha eva saptamah ||

There are seven dveepaas, Jamboo dveepa, Plaksha, Shaalmalee, Kusha, Krouncha, Shaakha and Pushkara.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Bhoomandalam vaktum aadou tat avayava dveepaat utpattim aaha jamboo plakshaahvayou iti |

Now, he starts to tell the various parts of bhoo mandala.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 6:

Ete dveepaah samudraih tu sapta saptabhih aavrutaah |
Lavanekshusuraasarpidadhidugdhajalaih samam ||

All these islands, are covered, surrounded each by seven oceans. They are surrounded by oceans made of salt, sugarcane juice, wine, ghee, curd, milk, water.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Ete iti | Samam sva sva aavaraneeya dveepa tulya vistaaram yathaa tathaa ete aavrutaah |

Samam means that it is covered everywhere, all around.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 7:

Jamboodveepah samastaanaam eteshaam madhya samsthitah |
Tasya api meruh maitreya madhye kanaka parvatah ||

In all these seven islands, in the centre, middle, is located the Jamboo dveepa. In the middle of that Jamboo dveepa, there is Sumeru Parvata, which is made of pure gold, gold mountain.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 8:

Chaturaasheeti saahasro yojanaih asya cha unchrayah ||

The height of that Sumeru Parvata, is eighty four thousand yojanaas.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Chaturiti | Sahasram eva saahasram asheetih eva aasheetih | Yojanaih chaturadhika asheetih sahasraani yasya sah, ucchreyah chaturaasheeti sahasrah | Asya ucchraayah chaturadhika asheeti sahasra yojana iti arthah |

Eight four thousand yojanaas, is the height of the Meru parvata, gold mountain.

This whole adhyaaya is telling about the description of the whole universe, the countries, lands, mountains, etc.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 9:

Pravishtah shodashaadhastaat dvaatrimshat moordhni vistrutah |
Moole shodasha saahasro vistaarah tasya sarvashah ||

Below, it is sixteen thousand, and on the top, it is thirty two thousand yojanaas, in its expanse. At the base, it is sixteen thousand yojanaas.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Pravishtah iti | Yojanaanaam shodasha sahasraani bhuvi khaatah | * Hasto anguli vimshatyaa chaturanvitayaa chatushkaro dandah | Tat dvi sahasram krosho yojanam ekam bhavet chatushkrosham || Iti ganite * Ashtabhih avamadhyaih syaat angulam iti cha, dvaa trimshat sahasraani moordhni vyaasah, * Sarvatra hi samavrutte vyaasah trigunah smruto bhavet paridhih, iti ganitajnyaah | Moola iti moole bhoomeh upari chaturdasha yojana sahasrou adhike |

Sixteen thousand yojanaas it is inside the earth. There are some measures about which Sri Engal Aalwaan gives explanations. Twenty inches is called one hasta. Four of those hastaas is one danda. There is also a measure of a hasta as twenty four inches; danda will come to eight feet. Two thousand of that is said to be one krosha. Four kroshaas become one yojana; so eight thousand dandaas is one yojana. These are quoted from works on mathematics. The urad daal, eight of them put together is called on angula. Thirty two thousand of these is a vyaasa. Paridhi and vyaasa are measures. On top of the earth, fourteen thousand yojanaas are said to be there.

Measure of one yojanaa is given differently in different works.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 10:

Bhoopadmasya asya shailo asou karnikaakaara samsthitah ||

Karnikaa means a case, a kosha, a seed cup. Mountain is like a seed cup, or the case of a lotus.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Bhoo padmasya iti | * Yat tat hi karnikaa moolam iti sat samprakeertitam | Tat yojana sahasraanaam saptatinaam adhah smrutam | Iti vaayu ukteh | Maatsye cha meru sannivesha uktah * Vrutta aakruti pramaanah cha chaturasrah samutthitah | Vistaaraha trigunascha asya parinaahe sumandalah |

Karnikaa is narrower at the bottom and broad at the top. It is told in Vaayu Puraana and Maatsya Puraana also like this. It is rounded, it is like this on both sides. It is like a mandala aakaara, the periphery is rounded. The expanse is three times.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 11:

Himavaan hemakootascha nishadhascha asya dakshine |
Neelah shvetah cha shrungee cha uttare varsha parvataah ||

To the south and north of this Sumeru Parvata, Varsha parvataas are there – these are the parvataas at the boundary of various countries. Himavaan, Hemakoota, Nishadha are towards the south. Neela. Shveta, Shrungee are in the north. Immediately after Meru parvata in the south is Nishadha, after that is Hemakoota, and below that is Himavaan. On the north, Neela is immediately after Meru parvata, then is Shveta, and then Shrungi.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Himavaan iti | Varsha parvataah varshaanaam vibhekadaah parvataah |

Varsha parvataas are those which divide the countries.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 12:

Laksha pramaanou dvou madhyou dasha heenaah tathaa apare |
Sahasradvitayocchraayaah taavat vistaarinah cha te ||

Immediately after Meru parvata, to the centre, is Nishadha and Neela, towards south and north. They are of the measure of one lakh yojanaas. The ones immediately next to them are ten thousand less, which is ninety thousand yojanaas – these are Shveta and Hemakoota parvata. Expanse of Shrungi and Himavaan is eighty thousand yojanaas. Two thousand yojanaas is the height; the same measure is the breadth also.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Laksha pramaanou iti | Uktaanaam varshaanaam madhye merum abhitah sthitou neela nishadhou laksha pramaanadaidhyou | Madhya iti paathe jamboo dveepasya iti sheshah | Pare chatvaaro lakshaat dashaamshena dasha sahasrena heenaah | Yathaa vaaraahe * Jamboo dveepa pramaanena nishadhah parikeertitah | Tasmaat cha dasha bhaagena hemakootah praheeyate | Vimshat bhaagena himavaan tadvat eva praheeyate | Dveepasya mandaleebhaavaat ghraasa vruddhi prakeertite || Iti | Anyatra cha * Vruttaabhaavaat samudrasya mahee mandala bhaavatah | Aayaamaat pariheeyante chaturascha samaa mataah || Iti | Evam neelaadishu api drashtavyam |

To the north and south of Meru Parvata, Neela and Nishadha, which are there – their expanse is one lakh yojanaas. The remaining four are ten thousand yojanaas less compared to their immediate next ones. It is told in Vaaraaha Puraana, Hemakoota is ten less compared to Nishadha; Himavaan is twenty thousand yojanaas less compared to Nishadha. As the sea is circular, and also the mandala aakaara of the earth, these expanses are less, compared to their neighbours. In the same way, it is to be taken for Neela and others.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 13:

Bhaaratam prathamam varsham tatah kimpurusham smrutam |
Harivarsham tathaa eva anyat meroh dakshinato dvija ||

O Maitreya, on the southern side, the first country is Bhaarata, below the Himavaan parvata. Between Himavaan and Hemakoota, is the country Kimpurusha, and then Harivarsha. To the south of Meru, are Harivarsha, Kimpurusha and Bhaarata Varsha.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 14:

Ramyakam cha uttaram varsham tasyaivaanu hiranmayam |
Uttaraah kuravah cha eva yathaa vai bhaaratam tathaa ||

Towards the north, in a similar way, there is Ramyaka, Hiranmaya and Kurava.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Ramyakam iti | Yathaa vai bhaaratam tathaa dhanuraakaaram iti arthah | * Dhanus samsthe sthite jnyeye dve varshe dakshinottare | Deerghaani tatra chatvaari chaturashram ilaavrutam || Iti vaayu ukteh |

Bhaarata varsha is like a bow. If we imagine how a bow is composed, they are located at the various parts of a bow.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 15:

Nava saahasram ekaikam eteshaam dvijasattama |
Ilaavrutam cha tat madhye souvarno meruh ucchritah ||

Each one of these countries are nine thousand yojanaas in their expanse. In between, there is Ilaavruta Varsha, and at the centre of this is standing Meru.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Nava saahasram iti | Ilaavrutam chatustrimshat sahasra yojana vistaaram bhadraashva ketu maalou praak pratyak dvaatrimshat yojanou iti artha siddham | * Sahasram maalyavat gandhamaadanou iti vaayu ukteh |

Thirty four thousand yojanaas is the expanse of Ilaavruta; Bhadraashva and Ketumaala are on the east and west, which are thirty two thousand yojanaas, this is told in Vaayu Puraana.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 16:

Meroh chaturdisham tat tu nava saahasra vistrutam |
Ilaavruttam mahaabhaaga chatvaarah cha atra parvataah ||

On the four directions of Meru parvata, nine thousand yojanaas expanse is the Ilaavruta varsha. Four mountains are also located there.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 17:

Vishkambhaa rachitaa meroh yojanaayutam ucchritaah |
Navaih sarobhih cha samam dikshvete kesara achalaah ||

Ilaavruta varsha is also bounded by four mountains which are standing like a support, buttress, which is ten thousand yojanaas high. It is as though supporting the Meru Parvata. They are also surrounded by the nine sarovaraas, and also the four kesara achalaas.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Vishkambhaa iti | Merot dvaarakaah keelaa vishkambhaah |

They are supporting the Meru parvata.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 18:

Poorvena mandaro naama dakshine gandhamaadanah |
Vipulah paschime paarshve supaarshvah cha uttare smrutah ||

The four kesara achalaas are Mandara on the eastern side, Gandhamaadana on the southern side, Vipula on the western side, Supaarshva on the north.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 19:

Kadambah cha teshu jambooh cha pippalo vata eva cha |
Ekaadasha shataayaamaah paadapaah giri ketavah ||

There are trees also around this, which are very tall, and they look as though banners or flag posts are mounted on top of the mountain. Their height is eleven hundred yojanaas. They are Kadamba vruksha, Jamboo vruksha, Pippala vruksha, Vata vruksha.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 20:

Mahaa gaja pramaanaani jambvaah tasyaah phalaani vai |
Patanti bhoobhrutah prushthe sheeryamaanaani sarvatah ||

These trees have fruits called Jamboo phala, which are very very big. They fall from the tree, and break on the ground upon impact.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Jamboo dveepa iti | Mahaa gaja iti * Panchonnatih sapta gajasya dairghyam ashtou cha hastaah parinaahamaanam | Ekadvivruddhaavatha manda bhadrou sankeerna naagou niyata pramaanou || Iti vachanaat loukika gajasya dasha hasta aavarana pramaana prasiddheh, vaayunaa cha jamboo phalasya tatah adhikamaana ukteh mahaa gaja shabdo atra divya gaja vaachee | Yathaa aaha vaayuh "Aratneenaam shataani ashtou eka shasthi adhikaani tu | Phala pramaanam samkhyaatam munibhih tattva darshibhih ||" iti |

Measure of the elephant, which is called Mahaa gaja, ten feet is the height of that elephant, width is fourteen feet, and periphery is sixteen feet (a hasta is two feet). The periphery is about twenty feet. Vaayu Puraana also says that the jamboo phala is much much bigger than the common elephant. Here, it is told about the apraakruta gaja, which is there in the deva loka. Eight hundred and sixty one aratnees; twenty one inches is one ratnee, four aratnees are one danda, aratnee is also like a hasta – two feet. 861 times two feet is the measure of the jamboo phala. This is what rishis who know the reality have told. Jamboo phala is a very huge fruit.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 21:

Rasena teshaam prakhyaataa tatra jaamboo nadeeti vai |
Sarit pravartate cha api peeyate tat nivaasibhih ||

The juice which coming out of this jamboo fruit, which are so huge, is forming a river called Jamboo nadi. Those who live around in those lands, they drink the waters of this jamboo nadi.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Rasena iti | Sarit pravartate; pradakshinam iti sheshah | Tat uktam – Merum pradakshineekrutya jamboo moolam vishati adhah, iti |

It is as though doing pradakshina for Meru. Around that is the Jamboo nadi which is flowing.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 22:

Na svedo na cha dourgandhyam na jaraa na indriya kshayah |
Tat paanaat svaccha manasaam janaanaam tatra jaayate ||

People who drink the juice of that jamboo fruit, they do not sweat at all, there is no bad smell coming from them, their sense organs never become weak, their mind is very clear and pure.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 23:

Teeramrut tat rasam praapya sukha vaayu vishoshitaa |
Jaamboonadaakhyam bhavati suvarnam siddha bhooshanam ||

The mud which is there on the banks of that river, having absorbed the juice of this Jamboo river, and being dried by the winds around that, becomes gold. It is an ornament for all the siddhaas.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 24:

Bhadraashvam poorvato meroh ketumaalam cha paschime |
Varshe dve tu munishreshtha tayoh madhyam ilaavrutam ||

To the east of Meru, there is a land called Bhadraashva. In the west, there is a land called Ketumaala. In between these two, is the country called Ilaavruta.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 25:

Vanam chaitraratham poorve dakshine gandhamaadanam |
Vaibhraajam paschime tadvat uttare nandanam smrutam ||

In all these four directions, there are forests (or beautiful parks) – Chaitraratha vana is on the eastern side, Gandhamaadana is towards the south, Vaibhraaja vana is on the west, and Nandana vana is towards the north.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Vanam iti | Vishkambhaadri prastheshu chaitraratha adi vanaani tat bahih saraamsi kesaraachalaa iti kramo vaayu uktah |

In Vaayu Puraana, it is told that beyond Vishkambhaadri, the four mountains standing as buttresses or support for the Meru Parvata, are the Chaitraratha and these vanaas, and beyond these vanaas are the sarovaraas. Beyond these are the kesaraachalaas.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 26:

Arunodam mahaabhadram asitodam samaanasam |
Samraasyetaani chatvaari deva bhogyaani sarvadaa ||

There are also ponds on the four sides – Arunoda, Mahaabhadra, Asitoda and Maanasa Sarovaraas. They are always enjoyed by the gods, devaas.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 27:

Sheetambhah cha kumundah cha kuraree maalyavaan tathaa |
Vaikanka pramukhaa meroh poorvatah kesaraachalaah ||

The Kesaraachalaas are told – these are the mountains around the Meru. Sheetambha, Kumunda, Kuraaree, Maalyavaan, Vaikanka are the prominent kesaraachalaas towards the east of the Meru.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 28:

Trikootah shishirah cha eva patango ruchakah tathaa |
Nishadaadyaa dakshinatah tasya kesara parvataah ||

Towards the south of Meru are Trikoota, Shishira, Patanga, Ruchaka, Nishada – these kesaraachalaas are told.

Kesara parvataas are the places where trees with long filaments grow.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 29:

Shikhivaasaah savaidooryah kapilo gandhamaadanah |
Jaarudhi pramukhaah tadvat paschime kesaraachalaah ||

Shikhivaasa, Vaidurya, Kapila, Gandhamaadana, Jaarudhi are the kesaraachalaas towards the west of Meru.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 30:

Meroh anantaraangeshu jatharaadishu avasthitaah |
Shankhakooto atha rushabho hamso naagah tathaa parah |
Kaalanjanaadyaah cha tathaa uttare kesaraachalaah ||

On the north, the kesaraachalaas which are immediately next to the Meru, are Jathara and others. Shankakoota, Rushabha, Hamsa, Naaga, Kaalanjana are there.

Adjoining the Meru is the Ilaavruta varsha, it forms parts of that. In all these four Maalyavaan, Nishadha, Gandhamaadana and Neela mountains. It is in the which forms the boundary – Jathara, Devakoota and others. On the western side is formed the boundary of Nishadha and Pariyaatra. Kesaraparvataas are there in all these mountains. There are many other mountains – they are also called as kesaraachalaas.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Meroh iti | Meroh anantaraangeshu meroh anantaram varsham ilavrutam tasya angeshu avayaveshu maalyavat nishadha gandhamaadana neelaakhya varshaadrishu, tathaa ilaavrutasya eva vakshyamaanayoh praak seemaabhootayoh jathara devakootayoh paschaat seemaabhootayoh nishadha pariyaatrayoh cha avasthitaah kesara parvataah, esham antasthaah anye shailaah, ete cha kesara achalatvena ganyante | Teshaam maalyavat nishadha gandhamaadanaanaam sva shabdena neelasya tu kaala anjana shabdena cha keshareshu uktatvaat * Patraani lokapadmasya maryaadaashaila baahyatah, iti vakshyamaanatvaat cha jatharaadinaam api kesaratvam yuktam | Ete sva varshaa apekshayaa varshaadrayah, patra apekshayaa maryaadaa adrayah, meru apekshayaa kesaraadrayah cha iti ayam artho gangaa chaturbheda prastaava pathishyamaana vaayu uktyaa vyakteebhavishyati | Eteshaam kesaraanaam * kesaraastu shata ucchraayaah te asheeti pruthulaayaataah, iti vaayu uktam maanam jnyeyam |

Immediately next to Meru is Ilaavruta varsha. Inside that is Maalyavan, Maalyavaan, Nishadha, Gandhamaadana, Neelaakhya mountains are there. In Ilaavruta itself, in the eastern boundary, Jathara, Devakoota, etc. are the countries, after this boundary are Nishada, Pariyaatra and those mountains, kesara parvataas. Inside them are various other mountain peaks, they are all counted as kesaraachalaas only. Jathara and others are also kesaraachalaas, mountains which are located at the boundary of a land. These kesaraachalaas are also known as Varshaadris (mountains forming the boundary of land), these also show the limit and expanse of the land; with respect to Meru, they are called kesaraachalaas, is told in Vaayu Puraana. The filaments of the trees in these mountains which are hundred yojanaas high and eighty in circumference, are told.

Next comes a description of Brahmapuri which is above Meru, in the sky. We saw the description of the universe, the mountains which are there, the Meru, Jamboo dveepa, greatness of the Jamboo phala, the vanaas and saras, kesaraachalaas which are there. The description of geography is given wonderfully here.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 31:

Chaturdasha sahasraani yojanaanaam mahaapuree |
Meroh upari maitreya brahmanah prathitaa divi ||

Above the Meru mountain, in the sky, there is Brahmapuri, where a huge city of Chaturmukha Brahma is there, which is spread across fourteen thousand yojanaas.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 32:

Tasyaah samantatah cha ashtou dishaasu vidishaasu cha |
Indraadi lokapaalaanaam prakyaataah pravaraah purah ||

All around that Brahmapuri, in all the directions, and in between directions, the cities of Indra and devataas are located, in all eight directions.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 33:

Vishnu paada vinishkraantaa plaavayitvaa indumandalam |
Samantaah brahmanah puryaam gangaa patati vai divah ||

River Gangaa, which starts from the Lotus feet of Lord Sri Mahaa Vishnu, after flowing through the Chandra Mandala, from the antariksha, Gangaa falls flowing all around the Brahmapuri.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Vishnu paada vinishkraanta iti | Divah – aakaashaat | Jyotishchaka bhraamaka pravaaha anilena chaturdhaa vibhaktaa brahmapuryaa bahih chaturdikshu merushrungeshu patati | Tathaa aaha vaayuh * Vibhajyamaana salilaa taijasena anilena saa | Meroh antara kooteshu nipapaata chaturshu api || Iti |

Divah means from the skies. Around the Brahmapuri, in all four directions, it falls on the parvata, driven by the winds. In Vaayu Puraana, it is given that it is being divided by the Taijasa winds. Around Meru, it falls into four streams.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 34:

Saa tatra patitaa dikshu chaturdhaa pratipadyate |
Seetaa cha alakanandaa cha chakshurbhadraa cha vai kramaat ||

When Gangaa falls, it gets divided into four streams. They are called Seethaa, Alakanandaa, Chakshu and Bhadraa.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 35:

Poorvena shailaat shailam tu seetaa yaati antarikshagaa |
Tatah cha poorva varshena bhadraashvena eti saa arnavam ||

These four streams, where all they fall, and where they merge, is told. On the Eastern direction, flowing through the skies from mountain to mountain, one stream of Ganga called Seethaa, reaches Bhadraashva, a city located on the Eastern side, and then merge into the ocean.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Poorvena iti | Shailaat shailam iti atra kramo ukto vaayuh * Sheetaambu shikhara bhrashthaa kumunje varaparvate | Nipapaata mahaabhaagaa tasmaat api kuraryagam | Tasmaat maalyavatam shailam, iti upakramya * evam shaila sahasraani daarayantee mahaanadee | Nipapaata tadaa seetaa jathare siddhi sevite || Tasmaat upagataa shailam devakootam taranginee || ityaadi |

In Vaayu Puraana, it is told as to which are the mountains it flows through. Having fallen from the Sheetaambu mountain, it falls on Kumunja, from there, it goes to Kurari, then to Maalyavaan mountain, this huge river, breaking through thousands of mountains, it finally falls on Jathara mountain, where all the siddhaas are living. Then it reaches Devakoota mountain. The order in which it flows is told in the Vaayu Puraana, as quoted here.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 36:

Tathaa eva alakanandaa api dakshinena etya bhaaratam |
Prayaati saagaram bhootvaa sapta bhedaa mahaa mune ||

In a similar way, the Alakanandaa river, which is one part of Gangaa, flows in the Southern direction, reaches Bhaarata, divides into seven streams, and then reaches the ocean.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Tathaa eva iti | Alakanandaam cha adhikrutya * Hemakootaat tu kailaasam devaa aavaasam tato api cha | Himavat uttamanadee nipapaata shilocchaye || ityaadi | * Kailaaso himavaan cha eva maryaadaa parvatou ubhou * iti vaayu ukteh | Gandhamaadanasya himavat paadaadritvaat himavat shabdena uktih |

Vaayu Puraana is quoted here. From there, it goes to Kailaasa and then to Devaavaasa, where Devaas live. Kailaasa and Himavaan are the mountains forming the boundary. Gandhamaadana mountain is at the end of the Himavaan mountain, it is told as Himavaan itself.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 37:

Chakshuh cha paschima gireen ateetya sakalaamstatah |
Paschimam ketumaalaakhyam varsham gatvaa eti saagaram ||

The third stream is called Chakshu, crosses through the Western mountains, flows through Ketumaala country, and then reaches the ocean.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Chakshuh iti | Chakshuh prakarane * Vaidooryaat kapilam shailam kapilaat gandhamaadanam |
Evam shaila sahsasraani paarayantee mahaanadee | iti antena nishadham api atra samsoochya * Paariyaatre mahaa shaile nipapaata aashugaaminee * ityaadi uktam |

Reaches Vaidoorya, Kapila, Gandhamaadana mountains. In this way, crossing through thousands of mountains, Nishadha also, finally goes and falls on Paariyaatra mountain.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 38:

Bhadraa tathaa uttaragireen uttaraam cha tathaa kuroon |
Ateetya uttaram ambhodhim samabhyeti mahaa mune ||

The fourth stream, Bhadraa, crosses through the Northern mountains, and then Uttara Kuru Varsha country, and goes and reaches the ocean.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Bhadraa iti | Bhadraam prakrutya * Trishrungam shrunga kalilam maryaadaa parvatam gataa |
Trishrungatah paribhrashtaa jaarudhim parvatam gataa || ityaadi | Bhaarata varshe alakanandaa bhedaah sapta maatsya uktaah * Nalinee hlaadinee cha eva paavanee praachagaah trayah | Seetaa chakshuh cha sindhuh cha tisraah taa vai prateechyagaah || Saptamee tu anvagaat gangaa dakshinena bhageeratham || Iti |

Crosses over Trishrunga, Jaarudhi. In Matsya Puraana, it is said that Alakanandaa divides into seven streams, in the Bhaarata varsha – Nalinee, Hlaadinee, Paavanee are the three streams which flow towards east; Seethaa, Chakshu, Sindhu are the three streams flowing towards west; the seventh one flows in the southern direction, and is Bhageeratha.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 39:

Aaneela nishadhaayaamou maalyavat gandhamaadanou |
Tayoh madhyagato meruh karnikaakaara samsthitah ||

Maalyavaan and Gandhamaadana mountains, are spread from Neela parvata to Nishadha parvata. In between Meru is looking like a kosha, seed cup.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Aneela iti | Poorvam kesareshu uktou maalayavat gandhamaadanou bhadraashva ketumaala varsha parvatou dakshina uttarou chatushtrimshat sahasraayaamou | Atra vaayuh * Chatushtrimshat sahasraani gandhamaadana parvatah | Udak dakshinatah cha eva aaneelanishadhaa yatah | Chatushtrimshat sahasraani parivruddho maheetalam | Sahasram avagaadhah cha taavat eva cha vismrutah || Poorvena maalyavaan shailah tat pramaanah prakeertitah || Iti |

Earlier, it was told in the kesaraachalaas, Maalyavaan and Gandhamaadana, that they are spreading from south to north, for 34000 yojanaas. 34000 yojanaas is the expanse of Gandhamaadana parvata, from south to north, starting from Neela to Nishadha; its height is 34000 yojanaas, it is 1000 yojanaas inside, and its spread is also 1000 yojanaas. On the eastern side, Maalyavaan mountain is also of the same measure. This is told in Matsya Puraana.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 40:

Bhaarataah ketumaalaah cha bhadraashvaah kuravah tathaa |
Patraani lokapadmasya maryaadaa shaila baahyatah ||

This shloka was quoted earlier in the commentary. There are four countries – Bhaarata, Ketumaala, Bhadraashva, Kuru. These are located beyond the bounding mountains. They are looking like petals of a lotus.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Bhaaratah iti | Maryaadaa shaila baahyata iti | Maryaadaadrayo ashtou jatharaadyaah, tebhyo bahih bhadraashvaadeeni chatuh patraani | Teshu cha maryaadaadrishu maalyavatah praachyaam jatharah, tat praachyaam devakootah, evam himavato dakshinatah kailaasaah tato gandhamaadanah, tou cha himavat samaayaamou; tathaa gandhamaadana varshaadreh paschimo nishadhah, tat bahih paariyaatrah, evam shrungina uttaratah trishrungah tato jaarudhih | Atra arthe praak darshito vaayu ukta gangaa pravaaha kramah pramaanam |

Maryaada means the boundary of an area. Maryaadaa parvata means the mountains forming the boundary, border, limits of a country. There are eight mountains forming the boundary – Jathara and others. Beyond these maryaadaa mountains, Bhadraashva and four patraas are located. Among those maryaadaa mountains, bounding mountains, to the east of Maalyavaan mountain, there is Jathara. To the east of Jathara, is Devakoota. In the same way, to the south of Himavaan is Kailaasa, then Gandhamaadana.

Kailaasa and Gandhamaadana are spread across the same area as Himavaan. On the western side of Gandhamaadana is Nishadha. After that is Paariyaatra. There is Trishrunga to the north of that, and then Jaarudhi to its north. The mountains through which Gangaa passes through was told in the Vaayu Puraana. This is according to that.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 41:

Jatharo hemakootascha maryaadaa parvatou ubhou |
Tou dakshinottaraayaamou aneelanisadhaayatou ||

Jathara and Hemakoota are the two mountains at the boundary. From south to north, they are spread across, from Neela mountain to Nishadha mountain.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 42:

Gandhamaadana kailaasou poorvavat chaayatou ubhou |
Asheeti yojanaayaamou arnava antarvyavasthitou ||

Gandhamaadana and Kailaasa are to the east, 80 yojanaas, they are located inside the ocean.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 43:

Nishadhah pariyaatrah cha maryaadaa parvatou ubhou |
Meroh paschima dik bhaage yathaa poorve yathaa sthitou ||

Nishadha and Paariyaatra are maryaadaa parvataas, mountains forming the boundary, are located on the western side, just as there are mountains on the eastern side.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 44:

Trishrungo jaarudhih cha eva uttare varsha parvatou |
Poorvavat chaayatou etou arnavaantarvyavasthitou ||

Trishrunga and Jaarudhi are the two parvataas on the northern side. Just like on the eastern side, they are also spread across in the same measure, and are located inside the ocean.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 45:

Iti ete munivarya uktaa maryaadaa parvataah tava |
Jatharaadyaah sthitaah meroh teshaam dvou dvou chaturdisham ||

I have told you, O Maitreya, about the mountains which form the boundaries of the various countries, Jathara and others, which are there. On all the four directions of Meru, two mountains each are located.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Ityeta iti | Ete jatharaadyaa maryaadaaparvataa uktaah |
Meroh chaturdisham patra mooleshu eshaam dvou dvou sthitou tou uktou |

Jathara and other maryaadaa parvataas were told. At the bottom of the patra, two mountains each are located in the four directions. Patra means, like the petals of a lotus.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 46:

Meroh chaturdisham ye tu proktaah kesara parvataah |
Sheetaadyaah cha mune teshaam ateeva hi manoramaah |
Shailaanama antare dronyah siddha chaarana sevitaah ||

On all the four sides of Meru, the kesara parvataas were told. Sheeta and others, the kesara parvataas which were told, they are all very beautiful places. In these Sheeta and other mountains, there are very beautiful ponds which are there, in between mountains, where siddhaas and charanaas live.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Meroh iti | Drounyah pushkarinyah * Shree saras taamraparnam cha kesaram ramanee tathaa ityaadyaah | Avaapta ashtaguna aishvaryaah siddhaah; chaaranaah deva gaayakaah |

Droni means pushkarini. Siddhaas are those who have ashta aishwarya –

Animaa mahimaa chaiva garima laghimaa tathaa |
Praaptih praakaamyam eeshatvam vashitvam cha ashta siddhayah ||

They attain various siddhis through yoga. They can become very minute, very big, etc. Those who have attained them are called siddhaas. Chaaranaas are singers among gods.

The pushkarinis are told – Shree saras, Tamraparna, Kesara, Ramanee, etc. Here siddhaas and chaaranaas live.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 47:

Suramyaani tathaa taasu kaanaanaani puraani cha |
Lakshmee vishnu agni sooryaa aadi devaanaam munisattama |
Taasu aayatana varyaani jushtaani vara kinnaraih ||

There, very beautiful cities and forests are there, where sacred temples are built for Lakshmi, Vishnu, Agni, Surya, and the other devataas. They are all worshipped there by kinnaraas.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Suramyaani iti | Kaananaani * Shreevanam kimshuka vanam nalam cha panasam tathaa ityaadeeni puraani * Himachitram bhoota vanam brahma paarshvam sunaabhakam ityaadeeni |

Shreevana, Kimshukavana, Nala, Panasa are the forests. Cities are Himachitram, Bhootavana, Brahmapaarshva, Sunaabhaka, etc.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 48:

Gandharva yaksha rakshaamsi tathaa daiteya daanavaah |
Kreedanti taasu ramyaasu shailadroneeshu aharnisham ||

In these beautiful ponds which are there in between mountains, Gandharvaas, Yakshaas, Rakshas, Daityaas and Daanavaas, live and sport there day and night.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 49:

Bhoumaa hi ete smrutaah svargaa dharminaam aalayaa mune |
Na eteshu paapa karmaano yaanti janma shataih api ||

These are known to be the svarga of the earth, heavens of the earth. Where all the people who follow the path of dharma, live there. Those who have committed sins, cannot live here even after hundreds of births; they do not get to be born in such places.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 50:

Bhadraashve bhagavaan vishnuh aaste hayashiraa dvija |
Varaahah ketumaale tu bhaarate koorma roopa dhruk ||

In Bhadraashva varsha, Bhagavaan Mahaa Vishnu is present in the form of Hayagreeva. In Ketumaala varsha, He is present in the form of Varaaha, and in Bhaarata, He is present in the form of Koorma.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 51:

Matsya roopah cha govindah kurushu aaste sanaatanah |
Vishva roopena sarvatra sarvah sarveshvaro harih ||

And Sanaatana Govinda is present in the form of Matsya, in Kuru varsha. Though He is present in these forms in the four varshaas, He is present everywhere, and everything is Him only; everywhere He is present in the form of Vishvaroopa. The entire world, Vishva, itself is His form.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 52:

Sarvasya aadhaarabhootou asou maitreya aaste akhila aatmakah ||

Everything is Bhagavat aatmaka. He is controller of everything and supporter of everything.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 53:

Yaani kimpurusha aadeeni varshaani ashtou mahaamune |
Na teshu shoko na aayaaso na udvegah kshut bhaya aadikam ||

Kimpurusha and the eight countries told earlier, O great sage Maitreya, people who live there do not have grief, do not get tired, they don't get stressed or agitated, don't get anxiety, don't have any hunger, no fear.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 54:

Svasthaah prajaah niraatankaah sarva dukha vivarjitaah |
Dasha dvaadasha varshaanaam sahasraani sthira aayushah ||

Without any fear or anxiety, they live there very happily, having got rid of all the grief and sorrow. They live for ten or twelve thousand years.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Svasthaah iti | Dasha dvaadasha iti aniyama uktih laingaadi uktam sthaana visheshaat chaturdasha sahasra paryantam aayuh sthitim lakshayati |

It can be anything – ten or twelve – in the Lainga Puraana, it is told that it is actually up to fourteen thousand years.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 55:

Na teshu varshate devo bhoumaani ambhaamsi teshu vai |
Kruta treta aadikaa na eva teshu sthaaneshu kalpanaa ||

At that place, gods to not provide rains, there is no rains there; water in the earth is always there. In these places, these eight countries, there is no distinction of Kruta yuga, Treta yuga, and others.

Distinctions of Kruta, Treta come when dharmaas are being implemented. When all the time the people are like this – without grief, anxiety, fear, etc., and they live for fourteen thousand years, there is no division of Kruta, Treta, etc.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 2, Shloka 56:

Sarveshu eteshu varsheshu sapta sapta kulaachalaah |
Nadyah cha shatashah tebhyah prasootaa yaa dvijottama ||

In all these countries, Kimpurusha and others, seven kulaachalaas are there, there are hundreds of rivers.

This is the greatness of Kimpurusha and other countries.

This concludes the Chapter Two.

|| Iti Sri Vishnu Puraane Dviteeye Amshe Dviteeyo Adhyaayah ||

|| Iti Sri Vishnu Puraana Vyaakhyaane Vishnu Chitteeye Dviteeye Amshe Dviteeyo Adhyaayah ||

***

|| Atha Triteeyo Adhyaayah ||

Now, the Chapter Three.

Bhaarata Varsha

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 1:

Sri Paraasharah –

Uttaram yat samudrasya himaadreh cha eva dakshinam |
Varsham tat bhaaratam naama bhaaratee yatra santatih ||

Sri Paraasharar – To the north of the ocean, and to the south of the Himavaan parvata, the place, varsha is called Bhaarata varsha. All are Bhaarateeyaas.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Uttaram iti | Samudrasya puraatanasya na tu sagara suta khaatasya | Bhaaratee bharatasya raajnyah sambandhinee |

Samudra is existing for a long time; it is not the one formed by the digging by Sagara's sons. Bhaaratee means related to King Bharata.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 2:

Nava yojana saahasro vistaaro asya mahaamune |
Karma bhoomih iyam svargam apavargam cha gacchataam ||

Nine thousand yojanaas is the expanse of this Bhaarata varsha. Those who want to attain svarga (heavens), and apavarga (liberation, moksha), this Bhaarata varsha is the place where they can perform the suitable karmaas, and attain those fruits. This is the karma bhoomi.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Nava yojana iti | Vistaarah dakshina uttaratah; aayaamah tu hjimavat paarshve himavataa samah, dakshinato dakshinatah kinchit kinchit nyoonah |

9000 yojanaas is the spread from south to north. At the bottom of the Himavaan mountain, the breadth is the same as Himavaan mountain. As you go down towards south, it gets lesser and lesser; so it is tapering down.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 3:

Mahendro malayah sahyah shuktimaan ruksha parvatah |
Vindhyah cha paariyaatrah cha sapta atra kula parvataah ||

The sapta kula parvataas which are told are Mahendra, Malaya, Sahyaadri, Shuktimaan, Ruksha, Vindhya, Paariyaatra.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 4:

Atah sampraapyate svargo muktim asmaat prayaanti cha |
Tiryaktvam narakam cha api yaanti atah purushaa mune ||

From the Bhaarata varsha, people attain heavens, they also get liberated, attain mukti. They also attain lower births like animals, they also got to hell. People attain these various fruits from here.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Ata iti | Ato muktim prayaanti cha iti vachanam asmin bhaarata varshe muktih syaat iti etaavat vaktum; na tu anyatra nisheddhum; karma bhoomeh anyatra api brahma vidyaa saadhyasya mokshasya upapatteh | Sootra kaarena * Taduparyapi ityaadinaa sootrena devaadeenaam api brahma vidyaa adhikaarasya uktatvaat |

In this Bhaarata varsha, people can perform suitable karmaas and attain liberation. It is said that they can attain moksha from Bhaarata varsha. Does not mean that anyone who has to attain moksha has to be born here, and then only attain moksha. It does not negate people attaining moksha in other places, but this is told to highlight the greatness of Bhaarata varsha. Even in other places which are not said to be karma bhoomi, in order to attain moksha, one has to practice Brahma vidyaa; this Brahma vidyaa can be practices even in other places. Even devataas are eligible for adopting Brahma vidyaa, and can attain moksha; this is established clearly in the Brahma Sutraas, as told by Sootra kaara Baadaraayana. People in other lokaas can also attain moksha, it is told; because they have a desire to attain, they have the capability to do Brahma vidyaa, so it is possible for them also; they also have adhikaara for Brahma vidyaa.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 5:

Itah svargah cha mokshah cha madhyam cha antah cha gamyate |
Na khalu anyatra martyaanaam karma bhoomou vidheeyate ||

First it is told heaven and liberation, then it is told that madhyam (antariksha, various lokaas) and anta (naraka) are the places they can attain. Is it not well known that in other places, for humans, karma is not ordained.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Uktam artham upapaadayati ita ityaadinaa | Madhyam antariksha aadi | Antah narakah | Poorvam phalavachanam, atra tat aadhaara loka vachanam iti apunaruktih | Na khalu ityaadi | Khalu shabdah (hetou) prasiddha parah | Anyatra bhoomou kimpurusha aadi varsha ashtake pushkara dveepe cha karma na vidyate | Arthaat na nishpadyate cha | Plaksha aadi dveepa panchake tu aapavargika itara karma na vidheeyate; aapavargika karmaanaam tatra api anushthaana ukteh; * Yathoktakarmakartrutvaat svaadhikaara kshayaaya te | Yajantah kshapayanti ugram adhikaaram phala pradam || Iti vakshyamaanatvaat | * Daanaani cha atra deeyante para loka artham aadaraat * iti ukteh bharata vishayatvaat cha |

What was told in the earlier shloka is justified here. Svarga and moksha are the fruits directly told. Madhyam means those worlds in the middle, antariksha. Anta is the world which are below, naraka and other places. What was told earlier that there is no Kruta, Tretaa yugaas in Kimpurusha and the eight countries, and Pushkara dveepa also, karma is not ordained. Karma is not negated also. One can follow karma if required, but it is not ordained like in Bhaarata varsha. In Plaksha and five islands, karmaas required for attaining fruits other than moksha are not ordained. In Plaksha and five dveepaas, the karmaas which are required for attaining moksha, are being performed there. It is going to be told later, when performing karmaas which are as told, according to the punya done earlier, they are given positions like Vasishta and others, they are called aadhikaarika purushas. It is asked about why Vasishta did not do deha avasaana prapatti, and attain moksha; they are aadhikaarika purushaas, they have performed much punya, and have been put in that position by Paramaatman in order to perform certain things, and also guide the people of the world. In order to spend the adhikaara, to exhaust it so that they can attain moksha, and also performing the yaagaas, etc., they get rid of all the remaining karmaas there. In Plaksha and other dveepaas, they also do daana, is also told.

Apavarga means moksha. Dharma, artha, kaama is one, and apavarga is the other.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 6:

Bhaaratasya asya varshasya nava bhedaan nishaamaya |
Indradveepah kasheruh cha taamraparno gabhastimaan ||

In the Bhaarata varsha, there are nine divisions. Indradveepa, Kasheru, Taamraparna, Gabhastimaan, ...

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Bhaaratasya ityaadi | Samudra velaam aarabhya himavat antam indradveepa aadyaa madhye madhye sagara suta khaata antaritaah sahasra yojana vistaaraah bhaarata varsha antara dveepaah nava; tena saagara samvrutatvam navaanaam, na tu ekasyaiva asya navamasya bhaarataakhyasya; * Bhaaratasya asya varshasya nava bhedaan nibodhata | Saagara antaritaa jnyeyaa te tvagamyaah parasparam || Iti vaayu ukteh ||

Starting from the banks of the ocean, till the Himavaan mountain, various dveepaas are located, based on the digging of the earth by the sons of Sagara in order to find the horse of the yaaga, these islands were formed when they dug like that, they are of thousands of yojanaas in expanse; there are nine islands in the Bhaarata varsha, all these nine are surrounded by ocean, not just the ninth one called Bhaarata. In the Vaayu Puraana, it is mentioned that all of them are surrounded by ocean.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 7:

Naaga dveepah tathaa soumyo gaandharva tu atha vaarunah |
Ayam tu navamah teshaam dveepah saagara samvrutah ||

... Naagadveepa, Soumya, Gaandharva, Vaaruna, ninth one is called Dveepa itself – this is actually the Bharata khanda, which is surrounded by oceans.

In sankalpa, we say Bhaarata varshe, Bharata khande; this Bharata khanda is told as Dveepah.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Naaga dveepah iti | Ayam tu dveepo bhaarataakhyah | Tat uktam vaaraahe * Indrah kasheruh taamra varno gabhastimaan naagah soumyo gaandharvo vaaruno bhaaratah cha, iti | Saagara samvrutaa iti vaa paathah |

Dveepa stands for Bharata khanda. In the Varaaha Puraana, it is clearly mentioned that Indra, Kasheru, Taamraparna, Gabhastimaan, Naaga, Soumya, Gandharva, Vaaruna and Bhaarata, are the nine parts of Bhaarata varsha.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 8:

Yojanaanaam sahasram tu dveepo ayam dakshina uttaraat |
Poorve kiraataa yasya ante paschime yavanaah sthitaah ||

From south to north, 1000 yojanaas is the expanse of this dveepa, Bharata khanda. In the eastern direction, Kiraataas are there, and in the west, Yavanaas are there.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 9:

Brahmanaah kshatriyaah vaishyaah madhye shoodraah cha bhaagashah |
Ijya aayudha vanijya aadyaih vartayanto vyavasthitaah ||

In the middle, Braahmanaas, Kshatriyaas, Vaishyaas and Shoodraas are there. They are engaged in their daily living, for which they do yaagaas (for Braahmanaas), with weapons (for Kshatriyaas), business (for Vaishyaas), and others.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 10:

Shatadru chandrabhaaga aadyaah himavat paada nirgataah |
Veda smruti mukha aadyaah cha paariyaatra udbhavaa mune ||

The various rivers flowing from the mountains are told here. Shatadru, Chandrabhaaga, rivers start out flowing from the base of Himavaan. From the Paariyaatraa mountain, Veda, Smruti, rivers start.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 11:

Narmadaa surasaadyaah cha nadyo vindyaadri nirgataah |
Taapee payoshnee nirvindhyaah pramukhaa rukshasambhavaah ||

From Vindyaadri, Narmadaa, Surasaadyaa, are born. From the Rukshaa mountain, Taapee, Payoshnee, Nirvindhyaa, rivers start.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 12:

Godaavaree bheemarathee krushnavenee aadikaah tathaa |
Sahya paada udbhavaah nadyaah smrutaah paapa bhayaapahaah ||

Godaavaree, Bheemarathee, Krushnavenee, rivers are starting from Sahyaadri. These rivers purify, and people who take bath in them get rid of fear of sins.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 13:

Krutamaalaa taamraparnee pramukhaa malaya udbhavaah |
Trisaamaa charshikulyaadyaa mahendra prabhavaah smrutaah ||

From the Malaya mountain, Krutamaalaa, Taamraparnee rivers are flowing out. From Mahendra parvata, Trisaamaa, Charshikulyaa rivers flow.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 14:

Rushikulyaah (Aaryakulyaah) kumaaraadyaah shuktimat paada sambhavaah |
Aasaam nadi upanadyah cha santi anyaah cha sahasrashah ||

From Shuktimaan, Rushikulyaa and Kumaara rivers start. For these rivers, there are thousands and thousands of smaller rivers.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 15:

Taasu ime kuru paanchaalaa madhya desha aadayo janaah |
Poorva desha aadikaah cha eva kaama roopa nivaasinah ||

People who are living in the middle parts Kuru Paanchaala, the people living in the eastern side, people living in the Kaama roopa, ...

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Taasu iti | Kaama roopo deshah |

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 16:

Pundraah kalingaa magadhaah dakshinaatyaah cha sarvashah |
Tathaa aparaantaah souraashtraah shooraabheeraah cha barbaraah ||

... Pundraas, Kalingaas, Magadhaas, Dakshinaatyaas, Aparaantaas, Souraashtraas, Shooraas, Aabheeraas, Barbaraas, ...

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 17:

Kaarooshaah maalavaah cha eva paariyaatra nivaasinah |
Souveeraah saindhavaah hoonaah saalvaa kosalavaasinah ||

... Kaalooshaas, Maalavaas, those who live in Paariyaatraa, Souveeraas, Sandhavaas, Hoonaas, Saalvaas, people living in Kosala, ...

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 18:

Maadraaraamaah tathaa ambaashthaah paaraseekaadayah tathaa |
Aasaam pibanti salilam vasanti saritaam sadaa |
Sameepato mahaabhaaga hrushta pushta jana aakulaah ||

... Maadraaraamaas, Ambashtaas, Paaraseekaas, all these people, live near the rivers, and also consume the waters of these rivers, are well fed and nurtured, and are healthy and happy.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 19:

Chatvaari bhaarate varshe yuga anyatra mahaa mune |
Krutam tretaa dvaaparah cha kalih cha anyatra na kaschit ||

In the Bhaarata varsha, these four yugaas are found – Kruta, Tretaa, Dvaapara and Kali; these are not seen in other places.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Chatvaari iti | Chatvaari yugaani | Dharma paada vyavasthaa yuga vyavasthaa |

In Kruta yuga, dharma stands on all four legs. In Tretaa yuga, on three legs; Dvaapara yuga on two legs; and Kali yuga on one leg.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 20:

Tapah tapyanti munayo juhvate cha atra yajvanah |
Daanaani cha atra deeyante para lokaartham aadaraat ||

The sages are engaged in tapas, those who perform the yaagaas are performing the yaagaas, people give daanaas, in order to get paraloka, svarga, apavarga.

The munis are engaged in tapas, those who perform the yaagaas are performing the yaagaas. In order to get sadgati, people give daanaas.

The greatness of Bhaarata varsha is going to be told next.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 21:

Purushaih yajnya purusho jamboodveepe sadaa ijyate |
Yajnyaih yajnyamayo vishnuh anyadveepeshu cha anyathaa ||

All the time, in Jamboo Dveepa, the purushaas worship Yajnya Purusha, Bhagavaan.

All the people worship Vishnu as Yajnya Purusha Himself, performing various yajnyaas. In other dveepaas, He is worshipped in different forms.

Veda says 'Yajnya vai vishnuh'.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Purushaih ityaadi | Yajnya purushah vishnuh atra yajnya roopa ijyate | Anyathaa soma vaayu aadi roopah |

In other places, Vishnus worshipped as Soma, Vaayu, etc.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 22:

Atra api bhaaratam shreshtham jamboo dveepe mahaa mune |
Yato hi karmabhooh eshaa hi ato anyaa bhoga bhoomayah ||

Even among all the places in this Jamboo Dveepa, Bhaarata Varsha is the most preferred and excellent one, because this is said to be karma bhoomi, whereas other places are said to be bhoga bhoomis, places of enjoyment.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 23:

Atra janma sahasraanaam sahasraih api sattama |
Kadaachit labhate jantuh maanushyam punya sanchayaat ||

Why is it praised so much? Because thousands of thousands of births, accumulating a lot of punya, one gets to be born as a human in this Bhaarata Varsha. It is so difficult to be born as a human in Bhaarata Varsha.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 24:

Gaayanti devaah kila geetakaani dhanyaah tu te bhaarata te bhoomi bhaage |
Svarga apavarga aaspada maarga bhoote bhavanti bhooyah purushaah suratvaat ||

This is the reason why the gods sing the praises of this land. Even gods, devaas sing praises of this land. Gods, devaas are talking among themselves that they have all attained svarga, due to some punya karma done; once this punya ends, they have to come back to this world, but nobody knows where who will be born. They say that whoever is born at the end of a term in svarga as devataas, after that term comes to an end, if they are born as humans in Bhaarata varsha, they are dhanyaah.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Gaayanti iti | Ye devaah suratvaat suratvaat anantaram tatra bhaarate bhooyah purushaah manushyaah syu te dhanyaah |

Once they enjoy the svarga loka as devaas because of their punya, after their term is over, they come back here, since this is karma bhoomi, they can perform yajnyaas and yaagaas, and they attain either svarga or apavarga from here. Even from svarga, they can attain apavarga, but because it is bhoga bhoomi, they will not get that kind of a desire to attain moksha. Here, it is easy, to perform yaagas, the means to attain svarga or apavarga. So, whoever is born in Bhaarata Varsha as humans are dhanyaah.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 25:

Karmaani asankalpita tat phalaani sanyasya vishnou paramaatma bhoote |
Avaapya taam karma maheem anante tasmin layam ye tu amalaah prayaanti ||

Performing karmaas without any desire in fruits thereof, performing karmaas as svayam prayojana, svasmai svayam eva kaarayati, with saatvika tyaaga, giving up the desire for fruits, and offering it as worship at the Lotus Feet of Vishnu, Paramaatman, they go at the end of their term here, they go and attain Vishnu Himself, being purified completely, having got rid of all the karma bandhaas.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Etat samarthayati karmaani iti | Atra api te dhanyaah iti anushangah |

This shloka justifies that they are dhanyaah.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 26:

Jaaneema na etat kva vayam vileene svargaprade karmani deha bandham |
Praasyaama dhanyaah khalu te manushyaah ye bhaarate na indriya vipra heenaah ||

Various karmaas have been performed because of which we attain some punya, and because of this, we have come to svarga and are enjoying there. When this ends, we have to go back, but we don't know where we have to go, nobody knows which is the next janma, where we are going to be born, and as what. Those who are born in Bhaarata Varsha, as humans, they have the sense organs which are capable of performing karma yoga, dhyaana yoga, capable of meditating on Vishnu, they are the ones who are blessed. They praise the people who are born in this Bhaarata Varsha, that they are verily blessed.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Jaaneema iti | Na indriya vipra heenaah karma dhyaana aadi yugya patu karanaah |

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 27:

Navavarsham tu maitreya jamboo dveepam idam mayaa |
Laksha yojana vistaaram sankshepaat kathitam tava ||

This Jamboo Dveepa, which is having an expanse of one lakh yojanaas, and consisting of nine continents, or regions, O Maitreya, I told you very briefly.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 3, Shloka 28:

Jamboo dveepam samaavrutya laksha yojana vistarah |
Maitreya valayaakaarah sthitah kshaarodadhih bahih ||

Surrounding the Jamboo Dveepa, for an expanse of one lakh yojanaas, O Maitreya, there is an ocean of salt water, all around like a ring, outside the Jamboo Dveepa, surrounding all around.

This concludes the Third Chapter of the Second Amsha.

|| Iti Sri Vishnu Puraane Dviteeye Amshe Triteeyo Adhyaayah ||

|| Iti Sri Vishnu Puraana Vyaakhyaane Vishnu Chitteeye Dviteeye Amshe Triteeyo Adhyaayah ||

***

|| Atha Chaturtho Adhyaayah ||

Now, the Fourth Chapter.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 1:

Sri Paraasharah –

Kshaarodena yathaa dveepo jamboo samjyo abhiveshtitah |
Samveshtya kshaaram udadhim plakshadveepah tathaa sthitah ||

Now, Paraasharar starts to explain to Maitreya about all the other dveepaas which are there around Jamboo Dveepa. Just like the island which is called Jamboo Dveepa is surrounded by the salt ocean, surrounding the salty ocean all around is the Plaksha Dveepa.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Kshaarodena iti | Tathaa sthitah valayaakaaratvena sthitah |

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 2:

Jamboo dveepasya vistaarah shata saahasra sammitah |
Sa eva dviguno brahman plaksha dveepa udaahrutah ||

A hundred thousand yojanaas is the expanse of Jamboo Dveepa. Twice that is the expanse of Plaksha Dveepa.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 3:

Sapta medhaatitheh putraah plaksha dveepeshvarasya vai |
Jyeshthah shaantahayo naama shishirah tat anantarah ||

Medhatithi is the lord of the Plaksha Dveepa and he has seven children. The eldest is Shaantahaya, and the next is Shishira.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 4:

Sukhodayah tathaa aanandah shivah kshemaka eva cha |
Dhruvah cha saptamah teshaam plaksha dveepeshvaraa hi te ||

Next are Sukhodaya, Aananda, Shiva, Kshemaka. The seventh is Dhruva, and they are all kings of Plaksha Dveepa.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 5:

Poorvam shaantahayam varsham shishiram cha sukham tathaa |
Aanandam cha shivam cha eva kshemakam dhruvam eva cha ||

The names of the countries are the same as the sons – Shantahaya, Shishira, Aananda, Shiva, Kshemaka, Dhruva.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 6:

Maryaadaakaarakaah teshaam tathaa anye varsha parvataah |
Sapta eva teshaam naamaani shrunushva munisattama ||

The names of the mountains forming the boundaries of these countries, they are also seven. O Maitreyar, listen to the names of those varsha parvataas. There are other varsha parvataas also.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 7:

Gomedah cha eva chandrah cha naarado dundubhih tathaa |
Somakah sumanaah cha eva vaibhraajah cha eva saptamah ||

Gomedha, Chandra, Naarada, Dundubhi, Somaka, Sumanaa, Vaibhraaja – are the seven varsha parvataas.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 8:

Varshaachaleshu ramyeshu varshetveteshu cha anaghaah |
Vasanti deva gandharva sahitaah satatam prajaah ||

In these varshaachalaas, mountains forming the border, which are very pleasant and beautiful places, people who are very pure, live along with devaas, gandharvaas, etc.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 9:

Teshu punyaa janapadaah chiraah cha mriyate janah |
Naadhayo vyaadhayo vaapi sarva kaala sukham hi tat ||

People who are there don't get any diseases of the body or the mind. There are very virtuous people who are always engaged in good deeds. They live for a long time.

Always they are having sukha only.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Teshu iti | Chiraat pancha sahasra abdha ante | Tat plaksha dveepam |

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 10:

Teshaam nadyah tu sapta eva varshaanaam cha samudragaah |
Naamatah taah pravakshyaami shrutaah paapam haranti yaah ||

There are seven rivers there, and they go and reach the ocean. I will tell you the names of those rivers. By mere listening to the names of the rivers itself, you will get lot of good, one gets rid of all the sins.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 11:

Anutaptaah shikhee cha eva vipaashaa tridivaa aaklamaa |
Amrutaa sukrutaa cha eva saptaitaah tatra nimnagaah ||

Anutaptaa, Shikhee, Vipaashaa, Tridivaa, Aklamaa, Amrutaa, Sukrutaa are the seven rivers.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Anutapta iti | Tridivaaklam iti paathah | Aklamaa tat aakhyaa panchamee nadee |

The name of the fifth river is Aklamaa.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 12:

Ete shailaah tathaa nadyah pradhaanaah kathitaah tava |
Kshudra shailaah tathaa nadyah tatra santi sahasrashah |
Taah pibanti sadaa hrushtaa nadeerjanapadaah tu te ||

I told you the prominent mountains and rivers which are there in that Plaksha Dveepa. There are thousands of other smaller rivers and mountains. The people who live there, drink the waters of those rivers, being very happy and living a peaceful life.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 13:

Apasarpinee na teshaam vai na cha eva utsarpinee dvija |
Na tu eva asti yuga avasthaa teshu sthaaneshu saptasu ||

There is no deterioration or gradual improvement in the state of the people; they are always happy and peaceful. There is no division of yugaas, there is always good dharma present there.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Apasarpinee iti | Apasarpinee dvaapara aadi kalyantam prajaanaam avaroha kramaat hraasa avasthaa | Utsarpinee kruta aadi treta antam aaroha kramaat vruddhi avasthaa, * utsarpinee yugaardham paschaat apasarpinee yugaardham cha iti aaryabhata ukteh | Yugaavasthaa dharma paada vyavasthaa | Teshu plaksha dveepasya varsheshu |

The state of the people does on deteriorating, starting with Dvaapara by the end of Kali yuga. Starting with Kruta, till the end of Treta yuga, there is a gradual increase in the state of the people. These are all not there here. Aaryabhata has told that Utsarpinee is one half of the yuga, and Aparsarpinee is the other half of the yuga, this is of the chaturyugaas. In the countries of this Plaksha Dveepa, it is like this.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 14:

Tretaayugasamah kaalah sarva daiva mahaa mate |
Plaksha dveepa aadishu brahman shaaka dveepa antikeshu vai ||

All the time, it is as though it is in Treta Yuga. Whatever dharmaas are there in Treta Yuga, it is present at all times. Starting with Plaksha Dveepa till Shaaka Dveepa, this is true.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Treta iti | Yugaadi krutyam tripaat dharmatvam satyaadimatvam cha tretaasaamyam |

For Treta yuga, dharma stands in three legs. In Kruta yuga, it stands on all four legs. In Dvaapara yuga, it stands on two legs, and in Kali yuga, it stands on one leg.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 15:

Pancha varsha sahasraani janaah jeevanti anaamayaah |
Dharmaah pancha tathaa eteshu varna aashrama vibhaagashah ||

People live for five thousand years without any difficulty or diseases. There is a clear distinction of the varna aashrama dharmaas. All the five dharmaas are well established – ahimsaa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, aparigraha.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 16:

Varnaah cha tatra chatvaarah taan nibodha vadaami te ||

There are four varnaas, and I am going to tell you about that.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Varnaah tu iti | Tatra plaksha dveepe |

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 17:

Aaryakaah kuraraah cha eva vidishyaa bhaavinascha te |
Vipra kshatriya vaishyaah te shoodraah cha munisattama ||

Braahmanaas, kshatriyaas, vaishyaas, shoodraas are there. There is a class called Aaryakaas who are Brahmins, a class called Kuraraas who are Kshatriyaas; there are Vidishyaas who are Vaishyaas, and then Bhaavinaas.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 18:

Jamboo vruksha pramaanah tu tat madhye sumaahaan taruh |
Plakshah tat naama samjyo ayam plaksha dveepo dvijottama ||

There is one huge tree in the middle of this Plaksha Dveepa, which is of the same size as Jamboo Vruksha which was told earlier. The name of that tree is Plaksha; that dveepa also has got that name because of that huge tree.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 19:

Ijyate tatra bhagavaan taih varnaih aaryakaadibhih |
Somaroopee jagat srashtaa sarvah sarveshvaro harih ||

In that Plaksha Dveepa, Bhagavaan Vishnu is being worshipped by Aaryaka and all the people who are there, Aaryaka and others, through yaagaas. They worship Vishnu in the form of Soma, Vishnu who is none other than the creator of this world, who is everything, and who is Supreme Lord of all.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 20:

Plaksha dveepa pramaanena plaksha dveepah samaavrutah |
Tathaa eva ikshurasodena pariveshaanukaarinaa ||

Surrounding the Plaksha Dveepa and having the same measure as Plaksha Dveepa, is an ocean of sugarcane juice.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 21:

Iti evam tava maitreya plaksha dveepa udaahrutah |
Samkshepena mayaa bhooyah shaalmalam me nishaamaya ||

Thus, I have given you the description of Plaksha Dveepa. Now, I am going to tell you about the Shaalmala Dveepa.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 22:

Shaalmalasya eeshvaro veero vapushmaan tat sutaan shrunu |
Teshaam tu naama samjynyaani sapta varshaani taani vai ||

The king of Shaalmala is a valiant king called Vapushmaan. I am going to tell you about his sons who are seven. the countries also have the same name as the sons.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 23:

Shveto atha haritah cha eva jeemooto rohitah tathaa |
Vaidyuto maanasah cha eva suprabhah cha mahaamune ||

Shveta, Harita, Jeemoota, Rohita, Vaidyuta, Maanasa, Suprabha are the seven sons.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 24:

Shaalmalena samudro asou dveepena ikshu rasa udakah |
Vistaara dvigunenaatha sarvatah samvrutah sthitah ||

This ocean of sugarcane juice is surrounded by Shaalmala Dveepa, and the expanse of Shaalmala Dveepa is twice that of the ocean, and it is present all around.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 25:

Tatra api parvataah sapta vijnyeyaa ratna yonayah |
Varshaabhi vyanjakaa ye tu tathaa sapta cha nimnagaah ||

There also, there are seven mountains, which are the source of gems, and they divide the countries. There are also seven rivers in the same way.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 26:

Kumudah cha unnatah cha eva triteeyah cha balaahakah |
Drono yatra mahoushadhyah sa chaturtho maheedharah ||

Kumuda, Unnata, and the third one is Balaahaka. Fourth one is Drona, where there are some great medicines.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Kumudah cha iti | Mahoushadhyah mruta sanjeevana aadyaah | Ayam dronaadrih hanumataa aaneetaah |

Mruta sanjeevina and other herbal plants are there. Dronaadri was brought by Hanumaan.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 27:

Kankah tu panchamah shashto mahishah saptamah tathaa |
Kakudmaan parvata varah sarit naamaani me shrunu ||

Fifth one is Kanka. Sixth is Mahisha. The seventh one is the sacred mountain called Kakudmaan. Now, I am going to tell you the names of the rivers. Listen to me.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 28:

Yonih toyaa vitrushnaa cha chandraa muktaa vimochanee |
Nivruttih saptamee taasaam smrutaah taah paapa shaantidaah ||

If one remembers these rivers, all the sins get destroyed. They are called Yoni, Toyaa, Vitrushnaa, Chandraa, Muktaa, Vimochanee, Nivrutti. These are sacred and holy rivers.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 29:

Shvetam cha haritam cha eva vaidyutam maanasam tathaa |
Jeemootam rohitam cha eva suprabham cha atishobhanam |
Sapta etaani tu varshaani chaaturvarnyaayutaani vai ||

There are also seven countries, Shveta, Harita, Vaidyuta, Maanasa, Jeemoota, Rohita, and Suprabha which is very pleasant. Here, the four varnaas are well established.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 30:

Shaalmale ye tu varnaah cha vasanti ete mahaamune |
Kapilaah cha arunaah peetaah krushnaah cha eva pruthak pruthak ||

There live the people of four varnaas – Kapilaas, Arunaas, Peetaas and Krushnaas. These are the names of people who belong to the four classes of Braahmanaas, Kshatriyaas, Vaishyaas, Shoodraas.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 31:

Braahmanaah kshatriyaah vaishyaah shoodraah cha eva yajanti tam |
Bhagavantam samah tasya vishnum aatmaanam avyayam |
Vaayubhootam makhah shreshthaih yajvano yajnya samsthitim ||

These four classes do upaasanaa of Bhagavaan, through yaagaas, and Bhagavaan who is the inner controller of everything, immutable – they worship in the form of Vaayu; they worship in the form of yaagaas.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 32:

Devaanaam atra saannidhyam ateeva sumanohare |
Shaalmaleeh sumahaan vruksho naamnaa nirvruti kaarakah ||

Here, in this most beautiful place, dveepa, Shaalmalee, all the devaas are present all the time. There is a huge tree called Shaalmalee, all the time it gives a lot of happiness.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 33:

Esha dveepah samudrena surodena samaavrutah |
Vistaaraat shaalmalasya eva samena tu samantatah ||

This Shaalmala dveepa is surrounded by ocean of wine. The expanse of that ocean is equal to that of the Shaalmala Dveepa, and it is present all around.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 34:

Surodakah parivrutah kusha dveepena sarvatah |
Shaalmalasya tu vistaaraat dvigunena samantatah ||

This ocean of wine is surrounded by Kusha Dveepa. Expanse of Kusha Dveepa is twice that of Shaalmala Dveepa.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 35:

Jyotishmatah kusha dveepe sapta putraan shrunushva taan ||

The king of Kusha Dveepa is Jyotishmaan, who has seven sons. I will tell you their names.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 36:

Udbhido venumaan cha eva vairatho lambano dhrutih |
Prabhaakaro atha kapilah tat naamaa varsha paddhatih ||

They are Udbhida, Venumaan, Vairatha, Lambana, Dhruti, Prabhaakara, Kapila. All the countries are named after them only.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 37:

Tasmin vasanti manujaah saha daiteya daanavaih |
Tathaa eva deva gandharva yaksha kimpurusha aadayah ||

There, humans live along with Daiteyaas and Daanavaas. Devaas, Gandharvaas, Yakshaas, Kimpurushaas, all of them live there.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 38:

Varnaah tatra api chatvaaro nija anushtaana tat paraah |
Daminah shushminah snehaah mandehaah cha mahaa mune ||

There also the four varnaas are present, and they are all the time established in performing their nitya naimittika karmaas. They are called Damina, Shushmina, Sneha, Mandehaa.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 39:

Braahmanaah kshatriyaah vaishyaah shoodraah cha anukrama uditaah ||

They are the classes of Braahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shoodra.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 40:

Yathaa ukta karma kartrutvaat sva ashikaara kshayaaya te |
Tatra eva tvam kusha dveepe brahma roopam janaardanam |
Yajantah kshapayanti ugram adhikaaram phala pradam ||

Here, all the four classes of people are engaged in ordained daily and occasional duties. They have to dispense the Praarabdha karma by experiencing it; so they perform the karmaas by performing their varna aashrama dharmaas, and exhaust this praarabdha karma, and then attain moksha. They worship Mahaa Vishnu Janaardana, who is in the form of Brahma. They exhaust all the karmaas which give fruits, by performing their duties.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Yathaa ukta iti | Yathaa uktam karma nityam naimittikam cha | Sva adhikaara kshayaaya cha svasya aatma jnyaanena karmani adhikaaram vihita kainkaryam nivartayitum | Adhikaaram praak janmajam karma |

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 41:

Vidrumo hemashailah cha hyutimaan pushapavaan tathaa |
Kusheshayo harih cha eva saptamo mandaraachalah ||

In this Kusha Dveepa, there are seven varshaachalaas, mountains which are forming borders of the countries; they are called Vidruma, Hemashaila, Hyutimaa, Pushpavaan, Kusheshaya, Hari, Mandaraachala.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 42:

Varshaachalaah tu sapta ete tatra dveepe mahaa mune |
Nadyah cha sapta taasaam tu shrunu naamaani anukramaat ||

There are also seven rivers, I am going to tell your their names in order.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 43:

Dhootapaapaa shivaa cha eva pavitraa sammatih tathaa |
Vidyudambhaa mahee cha anyaa sarva paapa haraah tu imaah ||

Through these rivers, one can get rid of all their sins, these are very holy rivers. They are Dhootapaapaa, Shivaa, Pavitraa, Sammati, Vidyut, Ambhaa, Mahee.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 44:

Anyaah sahasrashah tatra kshudra nadyah tathaa achalaah |
Kusha dveepe kushastambah samjyayaa tasya tat smrutam ||

There are other thousands of smaller rivers and mountains there. There is a Kusha Stambha, a tuft of Kusha, Darbhaa grass. Because of that only, the dveepa has got that name.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 45:

Tat pramaanena sa dveepo ghrutodena samaavrutah |
Ghrutodah cha samudro vai krouncha dveepena samvrutah ||

This Kusha Dveepa is surrounded by ocean of ghee, which is also having same expanse as that of Kusha Dveepa. This ocean of ghee is surrounded by Krouncha Dveepa.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 46:

Krouncha dveepo mahaabhaaga shrooyataam cha aparo mahaan |
Kusha dveepasya vistaaraat dviguno yasya vistarah ||

I am going to describe this great Krouncha Dveepa to you. Each dveepa is twice the size of the one which it is surrounding. Krouncha Dveepa is twice that of Kusha Dveepa.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Krouncha dveepa iti | Krouncha dveepe girih krounchah tasya naamnaa sa uchyate * iti maatsye |

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 47:

Krouncha dveepe dyutimatah putraah tasya mahaatmanah |
Tat naamaani cha varshaani teshaam chakre maheepatih ||

Dyutimaan's seven sons are there in Krouncha Dveepa. They are named the same as the countries.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 48:

Kushalo mallagah cha ushnah peevaro atha andhakaarakah |
Munih cha dundubhih cha eva sapta ete tat sutaa mune ||

The seven sons are Kushala, Mallaga, Ushna, Peevara, Andhakaaraka, Muni, Dundubhi.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 49:

Tatra api deva gandharva sevitaah sumanoharaah |
Varshaachalaa mahaa buddhe teshaam naamaani me shrunu ||

There are also many varshaachalaas which are very pleasant, where devaas and gandharvaas live. I am going to tell you their names.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 50:

Krounchah cha vaamanah cha eva triteeyah cha andhakaarakah |
Chaturtho ratna shailah cha svaahinee haya sannibhah ||

They are called Krouncha, Vaamana, third is Andhakaarakaa, fourth is Svaahinee where gems are found and is of the form of a horse.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Krouncha cha iti | Svaahinee haya sannibhah badabaamukhaabah |

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 51:

Divaavrut panchamah cha atra tathaa anyah pundareekavaan |
Dundubhih cha mahaa shailo dvigunaah te parasparam |
Dveepaa dveepeshu ye shailaa yathaa dveepeshu te tathaa ||

Fifth one is Divaavrut, next one is Pundareekavaan, Dundubhi is another big mountain. Each one is twice the size of the other, in order.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Divaavrut iti | Dviguna ityaadi | Ye dveepaah dveepeshu sthitaah ye cha shailaah te parasparam uttarottaram dvigunaah poorvapoorvadveepebhyah uttarottara dveepaah dviguna vistaaraah, evam poorva poorva dveepa shailebhyah uttarottara dveepa shailaah dviguna vistaaraah | Yathaa dveepeshu tathaa iti | Dveepeshu yathaa yaavat maanam tathaa taavat maanaah te shailaah iti arthah | (Adya ayam arthah) Etat uktam bhavati – laksha samkhyaam iti jamboo dveepe sthitaah shailaah dvi sahasra vistaaraah ubhayato abdhi sprushah, dvi lakshaadimite plakshaadou chatuh sahasra aadi vistaaraah abhito abdhisprusha iti |

All the dveepaas, and the mountains which are present in the dveepaas – the earlier mountains which were told – the later ones are twice the size of the earlier ones.

Each one is twice of the previous one. Similarly for the mountains also. Those mountains which are present in the later dveepa are twice the size of those present in the earlier dveepa. One lakh yojanaas is the expanse of Jamboo Dveepa; the mountains which are there are two thousand yojanaas, and on either side, they are touching the ocean. Two lakh yojanaas is the expanse of Plaksha Dveepa, four thousand yojanaas is the expanse of the mountains, all around they are touching the ocean.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 52:

Varsheshu eteshu ramyeshu tathaa shaila vareshu cha |
Nivasanti niraatankaah saha deva ganaih prajaah ||

In all these sacred and pleasant places and mountains, people live along with the groups of devaas, without any fear.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 53:

Pushkaraah pushkalaah dhanyaah tishyaakhyaah cha mahaa mune |
Braahmanaah kshatriyaah vaishyaah shoodraah cha anukrama uditaah ||

Pushkaraas, Pushkalaas, Dhanyaas and Tishyaas are the names of the people who are Braahmanaas, Kshatriyaas, Vaishyaas and Shoodraas, in order.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 54:

Nadeeh maitreya te tatra yaah pibanti shrunushva taah |
Sapta pradhaanaah shatashah tathaa anyaah kshudra nimnagaah ||

I will tell you about the rivers which are there, whose waters are drunk by these people. There are seven important ones, and there are hundreds of smaller ones.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 55:

Gowree kumudvatee cha eva sandhyaa raatrih manojavaa |
Kshaantih cha pundareekaa cha sapta etaa varsha nimnagaah ||

Gowree, Kumudvatee, Sandhyaa, Raatree, Manojavaa, Kshaanti, Pundraeekaa are the rivers.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 56:

Tatra api vishnuh bhagavaan pushkaraadyaih janaardanah |
Yaagaih rudra svaroopah cha ijyate yajnya sannidhou ||

Here, Mahaavishnu is worshipped in the form of Rudra by these people Pushkaraas, Pushkalaas, Dhanyaas and Tishyaas. They worship Him through yaagaas.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 57:

Krouncha dveepah samudrena dadhimandodakena cha |
Aavrutah sarvatah krouncha dveepa tulyena maanatah ||

Krouncha Dveepa is surrounded by Dadhimandodaka, the essence of curd. The ocean is made of essence of curd. This is of the same expanse as Krouncha Dveepa.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Krouncha dveepa iti | Dadhimandodaka dadhno mandah saarah, sa eva udakam yasya tena |

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 58:

Dadhimandodakah cha api shaakadveepena samvrutah |
Krouncha dveepasya vistaaraat dvigunena mahaa mune ||

This ocean of Dadhimanda is surrounded by Shaaka Dveepa. Its expanse is twice as that of Krouncha Dveepa.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 59:

Shaaka dveepeshvarasya api bhavyasya sumahaatmanah |
Sapta eva tanayaah teshaam dadou varshaani sapta sah ||

Shaaka Dveepa's king is Bhavya, very respected and excellent person, he had seven sons, and he gave the names of the countries also the same name.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 60:

Jaladah cha kumaarah cha sukumaaro mareechakah |
Kusumaadah cha moudaakih saptamah cha mahaadrumah ||

They are Jalada, Kumaara, Sukumaara, Mareechaka, Kusumaada, Moudaaki, seventh is Mahaadruma.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 61:

Tat sanjnyaani eva tatra api sapta varshaani anukramaat |
Tatra api parvataah sapta varsha viccheda kaarinah ||

The countries are having the same name. Here also, seven mountains are there, which separate these seven countries.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 62:

Poorvah tatra udayagirih jalaadhaarah tathaa aparah |
Tathaa raivatakah shyaamah tathaa eva aastagirih dvija |
Aambikeyah tathaa ramyah kesaree parvatottamah ||

In the east, first, it is Udayagiri, after that is Jalaadhaara. Then Raivataka, Shyaama, Astagiri, Aambikeya, Kesari. The seventh one Kesari is very pleasant and excellent.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 63:

Shaakah tatra mahaa vrukshah siddha gandharva sevitah |
Yatpatravaata samsparshaat aahlaado jaayate parah ||

There is a huge tree called Shaaka tree, which is used by the Siddhaas, Gandharvaas, etc. Taking in the fragrance of the leaves of this tree, causes a lot of pleasant feeling and joy to people who are living around that.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Shaaka iti | Khara mrudu sparsha ubhaya paarshva parno vruksha visheshah shaakhah |

It has leaves which are rough on one side, and soft on the other.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 64:

Tatra punyaah janapadaah chaaturvarnya samanvitaah |
Nadyah cha atra mahaa punyaah sarva paapa bhayaapahaah ||

There are people who are very virtuous, the four varnaas are established there, very holy and sacred; they can get rid of all their sins, and fear of sins will never touch one who lives near the waters.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 65:

Sukumaaree kumaaree cha nalinee dhenukaa cha yaa |
Ikshu cha venuka cha eva gabhastih saptamee tathaa ||

The names of those rivers are Sukumaaree, Kumaaree, Nalinee, Dhenukaa, Ikshu, Venukaa, Gabhasti.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 66:

Anyaah cha shatashah tatra kshudra nadyo mahaa mune |
Maheedharaah tathaa santi shatasho atha sahasrashah ||

There are other thousands of smaller rivers, and mountains.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 67:

Taam pibanti mudaa yuktaa jalaadaadishu ye sthitaah |
Varsheshu te janapadaah svargaat abhyetya medineem ||

Those who live there very happily, drinking the waters of these rivers, coming from the heavens to this earth, after exhausting the punyaas in svarga, they drink the waters.

Coming from the heavens to the earth, they use the waters of these rivers, and it is a very sacred place.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Taah pibanti iti | Svarga prada karma kshaye tat sheshaat bhuvam abhyetya jaladaadi varsheshu ye sthitaah jaataah, jaanapadaa janaah te taah nadeeh pibanti |

Those who, after exhausting the karmaas of the svarga, after enjoying the stay in svarga, they come back and live there, in countries called Jalada and others, they consume the waters of these rivers.

Those who, after exhausting the karmaas of the svarga, after enjoying the stay in svarga, they come back and live there, in countries called Jalada and others, they consume the waters of these rivers.

The greatness of people living in Shaaka Dveepa is further continued.

We are seeing the descriptions of the Plaksha Dveepa and other dveepaas are told by Sri Paraasharar, after telling about Jamboo Dveepa. Now, Paraasharar is telling about Shaaka Dveepa, where there are seven great rivers which are very holy and sacred, and one gets rid of all fear and sins by taking a dip in these rivers or by drinking those waters. There are also hundreds of smaller rivers, and hundreds and thousands of smaller mountains,

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 68:

Dharma haanih na teshu asti na sangharshah parasparam |
Maryaadaavyutkramo na api teshu desheshu saptashu ||

There is no decline in the dharma there; all the time, the people follow dharma. They don't fight against each other. Nobody goes beyond their limits, in all these seven countries.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 69:

Vangaah cha maagadhaah cha eva maanasaa mandagaah tathaa |
Vangaa braahmana bhooyishthaa maagadhaah kshatriyaah tathaa |
Vaishyaah tu maanasaah teshaam shoodraah teshaam tu mandagaah ||

There, Vangaas, Maagadhaas, Maanasaas, Mandagaas live there. Vangaas are predominantly Braahmanaas. Maagadhaas are Kshatriyaas. Maanasaas are Vaishyaas. Mandagaas are Shoodraas.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 70:

Shaakadveepe tu taih vishnuh sooryaroopa dharo mune |
Yathaa uktaih ijyate samyak karmabhih niyataatmabhih ||

Vishnu is worshipped in Shaaka Dveepa, in the form of Soorya. All the people worship Vishnu in the form of Soorya, with proper karmaas, as told in the Shaastraas, and as per their varna aashrama dharmaas.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 71:

Shaaka dveepah tu maitreya ksheerodena samaavrutah |
Shaaka dveepa pramaanena valayena eva veshtitah ||

Shaaka dveepa is surrounded by milky ocean. Its expanse is as much as that of the Shaaka Dveepa itself.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 72:

Ksheerabdhih sarvato brahman pushkaraakheyana veshtitah |
Dveepena shaaka dveepaatta dvigunena samantatah ||

This milky ocean is surrounded by Pushkara Dveepa and it is twice the size of Shaaka Dveepa.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 73:

Pushkare savanasya api mahaapeeto abhavat sutah |
Dhaatakih cha tayoh tatra dve varshe naama chinhite |
Mahaapeetam tathaa eva anyat dhaatakeekhanda samhitam ||

Pushkara Dveepa was ruled over by Savana and he had two sons, Mahaapeeta and Dhaataki. The countries were also named after them. One is called Mahaapeeta and the second one is called Dhaataki Khanda.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Pushkara iti | Dhaatakee khandam iti cha tasya eva raajnyo naama |

The king's name is also Dhaataki.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 74:

Ekah cha atra mahaabhaaga prakhyaato varsha parvatah |
Maanasottara samjnyo vai madhyato valayaakrutih ||

There is only one mountain in that Pushkara Dveepa, it is the Varsha Parvata, the mountain which forms the boundary of the country. Maanasottara is the name of that mountain. It is circular and it is in the centre.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Ekah cha iti | Pushkare maanasottara adreh valayaakaratva uktayaa plakshaadishu varshaadraya stiryagrekhaakaaraa amito abdhi sprusho varsha vibhedina iti gamyate |

In Pushkara Dveepa, Maanasottara mountain is said to be circular. In Plaksha and other places, mountains forming the boundary are horizontally located, they are touching the ocean all around, and they also separate out the countries.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 75:

Yojanaanaam sahasraani oordhvam panchaashat ucchritah |
Taavat eva cha visteernah sarvatah parimandalah ||

The height of the mountain is fifty thousand yojanaas, and the expanse is also the same. It is all around.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 76:

Pushkara dveepa valayam madhyena vibhajan iva |
Sthito asou tena vicchinnam jaatam tat varshakadvayam ||

It is as though dividing the Pushkara Dveepa into two in the centre, forming the boundary. Because of this, there are two parts – both of which are circular.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 77:

Valayaakaaram ekaikam tayoh varsham tathaa girih ||

Each one is circular only – the countries and the mountains.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 78:

Dasha varsha sahasraani tatra jeevanti maanavaah |
Niraamayaa vishokaah cha raaga dvesha aadi varjitaah ||

People who live there in the Pushkara Dveepa, live for ten thousand years. Without any diseases, or grief, they don't have desire and hatred.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 79:

Adhamo uttamou na teshu aastaam na vadhya vadhakou dvija |
Na eershya asooyaa bhayam dvesho rosho lobhaadiko na cha ||

There is no distinction as inferior or superior. There is no killer or killed. They don't have jealousy, finding of faults in others, fear, hatred, rage, miserliness.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 80:

Mahaapeetam bahivarsham dhaatakeekhandamantatah |
Maanasottara shailasya deva daitya aadi sevitam ||

Outside of the Maanasottara mountain is the Mahaapeeta country, and inside is the Dhaataki Khanda. All the devaas and daityaas come and live there.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Mahaapeetam iti | Antatah maanasottara adreh anta iti arthah | Dhaatakee samjnyam antata iti cha paathah |

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 81:

Satya anrute na tatra aastaam dveepe pushkara samjnite |
Na tatra nadyah shailaa vaa dveepe varsha dvaya anvite ||

There is no satya or anruta in the dveepa called by name Pushkara. In this Pushkara Dveepa, there are no other small rivers, or no other small mountains.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 82:

Tulyaveshaah tu manujaa devaih tatra eka roopinah ||

People who live there look exactly like gods.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 83:

Varna aashram aachaara heenam dharma aacharana varjitam |
Trayee vaartaa danda neetih shushrooshaa rahitam cha yat ||

There is no varna aashrama aachaara. Dharma aacharana is not there.

Three vedaas are not there. Vaanijya, Raaja Neeti, service – are not existing here.

This means that everyone knows their varna aashrama dharmaas, and there is no need to enforce.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 84:

Varsha dvayam tu maitreya bhoumah svargo ayam uttamah |
Sarvartu sukhadah kaalo jaraa roga aadi varjitah |
Dhaatakee khandha samjnye atha mahaa peete cha vai mune ||

These two countries – Mahaapeeta and Dhaataki Khanda, O Maitreya, is an excellent heaven on earth. It is pleasant in all the seasons; there is no old age or disease.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 85:

Nyagrodhah pushkara dveepe brahmanah sthaanam uttamam |
Tasmin nivasati brahmaa poojyamaanah suraa asuraih ||

In this Pushkara Dveepa, there is a place called Nyagrodha, and it is the place of Chaturmukha Brahma, being worshipped by gods and demons.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Nyagrodhah iti | Asya nyagrodhasya pushkara iti naama | Tena dveepo api pushkara iti smaryate | * Nyagrodhah pushkara dveepe puskharah tena sa smrutah * iti maatsya ukteh | Pushkarah pushkala iti arthah |

This Nyagrodha itself is called Pushkara. Because of that, this dveepa is also known as Pushkara. In Matsya Puraana, it is told that there is a place called Nyagrodha in Pushkara Dveepa, and that is why it is called Pushkara itself. It has abundance.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 86:

Svaadoodakena udadadhinaa pushkarah pariveshtitah |
Samena pushkarasya eva vistaaraat mandalaakruteh ||

Pushkara Dveepa is surrounded all around by the ocean of sweet water. The size of that ocean is as much as that of Pushkara. It is all around.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 87:

Evam dveepaah samudraih cha sapta saptabhih aavrutaah |
Dveepah cha eva samudrah cha samaanou dvigunou parou ||

All the dveepaas and samudraas which were told, Jamboo, Plaksha, Shaalmala, Kusha, Krouncha, Shaaka, Puskhara, are surrounded by seven oceans; and the dveepa and samudra – each pair has the same expanse, and the immediate next one is twice that of the previous one.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Evam iti | Dveepah cha eva samudrah cha jamboo dveepa kshaarodou samaanou, tat dvigunou plaksha dveepe ikshurasodou | Evam anantara dveepa abdhayoh poorvapoorva dveepadvaigunyam anyonya saamyam cha oohyam |

Jamboo Dveepa and the ocean of salt water, are of the same size. Plaksha Dveepa and the sugarcane juice ocean, are twice that of Jamboo Dveepa.

A dveepa and its samudra are of the same size, but double the size of the one before that.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 88:

Payaamsi sarvadaa sarva samudreshu samaani vai |
Nyoona atiriktataa teshaam kadaachit na eva jaayate ||

In all these oceans, the quantity of water is always same. It does not increase or reduce in quantity at any point of time.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Payaamsi iti | Payaamsi samaani avruddhi shoshaani | Chandrasya tu vruddhou pournimaayaam udaye cha teshaam utkshobha maatram na tu vruddhih | Evam chandra hraase taavat kshubhitasya hraasah na tat moola ambu kshayah |

It does not increase or does not get dried up. When the moon is in ascendance, and also when the Pournami comes, the ocean is seen to increase, because there is a lot of turbulence; here there is only turbulence, and it does not increase in quantity. In the Krishna Paksha, when the moon is on the decreasing phase, the turbulence reduces and there is no reduction in the quantity of water.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 89:

Sthaaleeshtam agni samyogaat udreki salilam yathaa |
Tathaa induvruddou salilam ambodhou munisattama ||

In a vessel, a water that is heated expands; in the same way, when the moon is in ascendance in the Shukla Paksha, waters in the ocean also seem to increase.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Sthaaleestham iti | Yathaa parimitam jalam kvaathe udrichyate tat eva shaitye hrasati samee bhavati |

When it is heated, it expands, and it comes down when cooled.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 90:

Anyoonaa na atiriktaa cha varshanti aapo hasanti cha |
Udayaasta mayeshvindoh pakshayoh shukla krushnayoh ||

Though it is seen to increase and decrease, the quantity of water does not change.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Anyoonaa na atiriktaa iti | Tathaa shukle krushne vaa chandrasya udaye apaam sapaada ekavimshati hastamitaa vruddhih | Astamaye taavaan eva hraasah |

The extent of increase in the waters is told – hasta is a measure which is 24 inches, this is 21.25 hastaas.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 91:

Dasha uttaraani pancha eva hi angulaanaam shataani vai |
Apaam vruddhikshayou drushtou saamudreenaam mahaa mune ||

The increase or decrease that is seen is 510 inches.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 92:

Bhojanam pushkara dveepe tatra svayam upasthitam |
Shat rasam bhunjate vipra prajaah sarvaah sadaa eva hi ||

In this Pushkara Dveepa, food is present by itself, it is automatically available to people. They enjoy the six kinds of delicacies, all the time.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Bhojanam iti | Shat rasam bhakshya bhojya lehya choshya peya khaadya aatmanaa shat vidham rasyam, madhura aamla lavana tikta katu kashaayaakhya rasavat dravyam vaa |

Different kinds of food are those which are eaten, drunk, licked, etc. or with different tastes, sweet, hot, etc.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 93:

Svaadoodakasya parito drushyate loka samsthitih |
Dvigunaa kaanchanee bhoomih sarva jantu vivarjitaa ||

Surrounding this sweet water ocean, there is this land of gold, which is twice that of Pushkara Dveepa. Nobody lives there.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Svaadoodakasya iti | Lokasya jana nivaasa bhootasya sapta dveepa aatmakasya, samsthitih maryaadaa bhoota svarna bhoomih | Aloka samsthitih iti padacchede loka samsthaana rahitaa darpana aakaaraa | Saa cha lokaan meroh amitah sthitaat sapta laksha pancha koti mitaat dvigunaa sa chaturdasha laksha dasha kotih |

In the seven dveepaas which were told, people live there, and at the end of these seven islands, is Svarna Bhoomi, the land made of gold. There is a paathaantara, aloka samsthitih, which says that there is no division of land, and nobody live there. From Meru parvata, including all the seven islands and oceans, the measure is five crores and seven lakhs; this is twice the size of that, which is ten crores and fourteen lakhs, gold land.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 94:

Lokaalokah tatah shailo yojanaa aayuta vistrutah |
Uchraayena api taavanti sahasraani achalo hi sah ||

After that, there is a mountain called Lokaaloka, which is ten thousand yojanaas in size. The height of this is also ten thousand yojanaas.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Lokaaloka iti | Tato loka alokaadrih | Evam samhatya meroh ekato loka alokaantam kotyo dvaadasha lakshaani sapta shashtih, panchaashat sahasraani cha | * Etena hi aloka parimaanam vyaakhyaatam iti bhaagavata uktayaa kinchit oona sardha dvaadasha kotiaadikam alokaakhyam |

After the gold land, there is Lokaaloka mountain. From one part of the Meru mountain till the Lokaaloka mountain, it is 12 crores, 67 lakhs, 50 thousand yojanaas. In Bhaagavata, the measure of Aloka is also told – as a little less than 12.5 crores.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 95:

Tatah tamah samaavrutya tam shailam sarvatah sthitam |
Tamah cha anda kataahena samantaat pariveshtitam |

Surrounding this Lokaaloka mountain is tamas, completely filled with darkness. This tamo loka is surrounded all around by Andakataaha, the cosmic shell.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Tata iti | Tatra eva tamomartodou cha taamasa bhoota aavaasa bhootou | Sagartodaat tamasah parastaat paritah prati disham anda kataahaat arvaak mahaapurusha nivaasa bhoote vaikuntha lokah, tatah kataaha iti jnyeyam | Bhaagavate harivamshe cha braahmana putra aanayana prastaave bhagavat sthaanasya tathaa upavarnitatvaat |

In the Taamasa loka told, there is a huge pit of water all around. With the pit and Tamo loka included, all around, outside of the Andakataaha, there is Vaikuntha Loka where Vishnu lives. After that is the Kataaha, is what is told.

In Bhaagavatha and Harivamsha, there is a story where Krishna goes and brings the son (who had already died) of a Braahmana, He is said to have gone to Paramapada, Vishnu Loka and brought him back; this is the Vishnu Loka.

It is said that those who go to Paramapada do not come back. But there is also another view that those who go through Archiraadi Maarga only, they do not come back. If they go in some other maarga, they may come back.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 96:

Panchaashat koti vistaaraa seyam urvee mahaa mune |
Sahaiva anda kataahena sadveepa abdhi maheedharaa ||

Thus, the expanse of this whole earth is 50 crores yojanaas. Including the Andakataaha, the Dveepaas and mountains.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Panchaashat iti | Evam meroh ekatah kataaha antam panchavimshati kotikam bhoo vistaara ardham, anyathah cha tathaa, ittham samhatya panchaashat koti bhoo vistaarah | Evam oordhva adhah kataaha avadhih cha anda ucchraayah panchaashat kotih, * Soorya anda golayoh madhye kotyah syuh pancha vimshatih * iti shuka ukteh | Yat vaa, ekata eva loka maanaat sasaardha trilakshaadyardha dvi koti aatmakaat vaigunyam kaancha bhoomeh sa sapta laksha pancha koti aatmakam krutvaa shishtam sapta dasha koti adikam tamah kataaha aadi maanatvena yojyam | Puraana kaarasya hi vairaagya utpaadane bhagavat maahaatmya jnyaapane cha taatparyaat na loka samkhyaa ganiteshu ati aadarah | Tato yathaa kathanchit api panchaashat koti vistaaratvam bhuvo jnyeyam | Anye tu vistaara shabdam vyaasa ardhaparam krutvaa meroh abhitah panchaashat kotitvam varnayanto bhoomeh shata koti vistaaratvam praahuh | Tathaa cha vaaraahe * Bhoomandalam tu shata koti vistaaram sa anda kataaham iti | Ayam eva pakshah skaande shiva rahasye vistarena uktah | Shaiva tantra antare cha * Koti dvayam tri panchaashat lakshaani cha tatah param | Panchaashat cha sahasraani sapta dveepaah sa saagaraah || Tato hiranmayee bhoomih dasha kotyo varaanane || Devaanaam kreedanaarthaaya loka alokah tatah param || Parvato valayaakaaro yojanaayuta vistrutah || Tasmaat baahyam tamo ghoram dushprekshyam jeeva varjitam || Panchatrimshat smrutaa kotyo lakshaani ekona vimshatih || Chatvaarimshat sahasraani yojanaanaam varaanane | Sapta saagara maanah tu gartodah tat anantaram | Koti yojana maanah tu kataahah sa vyavasthitah || Iti | Asmin tu pakshe * Soorya anda golayoh madhye kotyah syuh pancha vimshatih iti bhaagavata shlokastha soorya shabdah tat prakaashya deshaparo yojyah | * Ravi chandramasoryaavat mayookhiah avabhaasyate || Sa samudra sarit shailaa taavatee pruthivee smrutaa || Iti vakshyamaanatvaat | * Prakaashya pruthiveemaanam pancha vimshati kotikam, tat prakaashakam eva sooryam kalpayitvaa, tatah param yaavat anda kataaham pancha vimshati iti eva arthah | Yat vaa anda kataaha antah panchaashat kotih pruthivee, bahih cha aavaranabhootaa taavatee iti, evam shata kotitvam varaaha puraana anusaaraat yojyam | Yat vaa shaastreeya angula siddhaih yojanaih panchaashat kotya eva loukika angula siddha yojanaih shata kotyah syuh | Yat vaa kalpa bhedena dvayoh api pakshayoh avirodhah kalpyah |

From one side of Meru mountain up to the shell, 25 crores is half of the expanse of the bhoomi, 25 crores on one side and 25 crores on the other side, totalling 50 crore yojanaas. On the top and below also, it is the same thing, 50 crores.

As Suka says, between Soorya anda and gola, it is 25 crores. Compared to the expanse of the lokaas, this is 2.5 crores and 3.5 lakhs, double that will be the measure of Kaanchana bhoomi, the land of gold, which is 5 crore and 7 lakhs. The remaining 17 crores should be taken as the measure of the Tama kataaha. Why Paraasharar is telling about these numbers, and the expanses of these islands and oceans is in order to generate vairaagya, and the greatness of Bhagavaan, who is the Creator of this whole world. If it is such a big expanse, where people are getting created, going through the cycle of births and deaths, how difficult it is to escape from this; one has to get vairaagya, various worlds told, various pleasures enjoyed, good things, again, people are in this prakruti mandala only, again and again. One should get vairaagya understanding all these things, to escape from samsaara. This is the purpose of telling these measures. And also to remind us of the greatness of the Bhagavaan. He is not very much interested in these numbers and calculations. In whatever way you want to know about the 50 crores, know it. Some people say that half the diameter is 50 crores, and they it has an expanse of 100 crores. This is told in Varaaha Puraana also. Bhoo mandala is 100 crores. This is told in Shiva Rahasya, Skanda Puraana. 35 crores, 19 lakhs, 40 thousand yojanaas. It is said that there is a huge pit filled with water. 1 crore yojanaas is the kataaha. Between Soorya Anda and Kataaha, there is 25 crore yojanaas. In Bhaagavata, there is also mention of Soorya. This is to be understood as the distance lighted by the rays of the Sun. Shaastreeya angula is 24 inches, here it is 12 inches; this way, 50 crores becomes 100 crores. Or, we can say that it is 50 crores in one kalpa, and 100 crores in another kalpa.

We should not look at it that it is correct in one Puraana and incorrect in another. It can be difference in kalpaas. It can be different in loukika maana and shaastreeya maana.

Sri Vishnu Puraana – Amsha 2, Chapter 4, Shloka 97:

Seyam dhaatree vidhaatree cha sarva bhoota gunaadhikaa |
Aadhaara bhootaa sarvesham maitreya jagataam iti ||

This earth is support of everyone and is made of five gunaas; this is where everyone lives.

Sri Engal Aalwaan’s Commentary:

Seyam iti | Dhaatree oshadhidvaaraa poshakaree | Vidhaatree kartree | Guna adhikaa pancha gunatvaat |

Earth nurtures the beings through the trees and herbs. Or as the doer.

This concludes Chapter Four of Amsha Two.

|| Iti Sti Vishnu Puraane Dviteeya Amshe Chaturtho Adhyaayah ||

|| Iti Sri Vishnu Puraane Vishnu Chitteeye Dviteeye Amshe Chaturtho Adhyaayah ||

***

|| Atha Panchamo Adhyaayah ||

Познавательные статьи:



Организация работы процедурного кабинета

Статус республик в составе РФ

Понятие финансов, их функции и особенности

Сущность демографической политии