Gabhasti (River)

Gabhasti · gabhasti, “a ray of light”

Gabhasti is a river of Śāka-dvīpa, one of the seven dvīpas of the earth. Lomaharshaṇa names it last among the seven rivers of that dvīpa in Chapter 20 of the Brahma Purāṇa, in his account to the munis of the dvīpas that lie beyond Jambūdvīpa. The seven are Sukumārī, Kumārī, Nalinī, Reṇukā, Ikshu, Dhenukā and Gabhasti. They are rivers of great puṇya (merit), they take away the fear of pāpa (sin), and they came down from svarga (heaven).

The rivers of Śāka-dvīpa

Besides the seven rivers there are thousands of small streams and hills. The people who live on Jalada and the other mountains of the dvīpa drink the waters of these rivers.

Śāka-dvīpa

Bhavya is the lord of Śāka-dvīpa, and its varshas bear the names of his seven sons: Jalada, Kumāra, Sukumāra, Manīraka, Kuśamoda, Modāki and Mahādruma. Its varsha mountains are Udayagiri, Jaladhāra (Raivataka), Śyāma, Ambhogiri, Astikeya and Kesarī. There stands a great tree called Śāka, served by siddhas and gandharvas, and the wind that touches its leaves gives supreme joy.

The janapadas (settled lands) there are full of pure people of the four varṇas. They are without fear, without hindrance and free of disease. Among them there is no loss of dharma, no pleasure and pain, and no going beyond the bounds of the śāstra. The four varṇas are the Magas (brāhmaṇas), the Māgadhas (kshatriyas), the Mānasas (vaiśyas) and the Mandagas (śūdras). Their kula-daiva (family deity) is Vishṇu, and they worship Śrī Hari in the form of Sūrya, according to vidhi. The dvīpa is ringed by the ocean of milk, of the same measure as the dvīpa.

Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 20

Sources

• Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 20