Garuda Mahā Purana - Achara Khaṇḍa
57 - Bhuvana - Kosha
Hari Said:
1. The height of the earth (from Påtåla) is said to be seventy thousand yojanas (about 840,000, Kilometres) and the seven nether worlds are cach ten thousand yojanas from the other below.
2. The seven nether worlds are Atala, Vitala, Nitala Gabhastimat, Mahākhya, Sutala and the last Pătăla.
3. The grounds are respectively black, white, crimson, yellow, (in colour and stony, rocky, and golden coloured (seven in order). There Räkşhasas and Serpents live.
4. In the terrific Pushkaradvipa there are the hells. Their names are: - Raurava, Shukara, Rodha, Tala, Vinashana,
5. Mahajvala, Taptakumbha, Lavana, Vimohita, Rudhira, Vaitarani, krimišha, Krimibhojana,
6. Asipatravana, Krişhņa, Nånábhakşha, Dåruna, Pūyavaha, Pápa, Vabnijválodbhava, Ashiva.
7. Sadamsha, Krišhņasútra, Tama, Avichi, Svabhojana, Apratishtha, and Ushnavichi.
8. Sinners guilty of poisoning, inflicting injuries with weapons and arson are cooked and roasted here. O Rudra, the upper regions Bhuh, etc. are situated one above the other.
9. The Anda or the cosmic egg is encircled by water, fire, wind and ether. It is then encircled by Mahat (the great principle) and Pradhana (the mula-prakruti).
10. Lord Narayana pervades ten times the space occupied by the Anda.
Summary of chapter 57 of the Garuda Mahā Purana - Achara Khaṇḍa is as follows:
Bhagavān Vishṇu explains the spiritual significance of Mākara Sankrānti, when Sūryadeva enters the northern celestial hemisphere. Bathing in sacred rivers, offering prayers to the solar deity, and distributing charitable gifts on this day bestows longevity, vitality, and steady progress upon the spiritual path.