49 - The description of Plaksha and other continents

Suta said: 

1. The island-continent called Plaksha,¹ twice in extent to that of Jambudvipa, stands surrounding the milky ocean (rather—the brimy sea). * 

1. The older view dismissing the Puranic Dvipas (continents) as fanciful fables is itself dismissed by later researchers. They try to identify these continents on the basis of the climatic and vegetational data. Thus, the Plaksha tree is regarded as the main feature of the land called Plaksha dvipa and it indicates the land of warm temperate climate of the mediterranean basin (M. Ali-Geography, of the Puranas, pp. 39-42). F. Wilford shows how the name Plaksha still persists in Placia, a town in Mysia. The inhabitants speak a peculiar dialect spoken by Pelagsis of Cristone-spoken by the Pelagsis who lived on the shores of Hellespont at the time of Herodotus (Asiatic Researches VIII. 267-346). The close similarity in the names Plaksha, Pelagsi is significant. V. V. Iyer, in "The Seven Dvipas of the Puranas' locates Plaksha dvipa in Greece and adjoining lands i.e., the climatically Mediterranean belt. 

The above approach of identifying these dvipas or human regions' by their climate and vegetation is saner than speculating their identity on the basis of the mountains or rivers as the names of these can be distorted to suit one's theory.

*Kshiroda: a misprint for Ksharoda 

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

*The reading should be: rujvayatah as in V. 14 below. It means: "The mountains are broad and straight."

3-5. Gomeda is the first among them (i.e., Kulaparvatas). The second is called Chandra. The others are Narada, Dundubhi, Maniman and Meghanisvana. Vaibhraja is the seventh among them. It is the most beloved of Brahma. The unborn god Brahma, the Atman of the Universe, the perceiver of the Universe, (the omniscient) deity, the cosmic witness of all, is worshipped by Devas, sages, Gandharvas and Siddhas. The countries therein are holy. There are no ailments or mental agonies. 

6-8. There are no persons committing sins in any way. The rivers in those sub-continents are seven and they fall into the sea. In them the Brahmanical sages always worship Pitamaha (God Brahma). The well-known names of these rivers are Anutapta, Shikha, Vipapa, Tridiva, Kruta, Amruta and Sukruta. There are many well-known small rivers and many lakes as well. 

9-10. In these continents, there is no revolution of the cycle of the different Yugas. Men are long-lived. They are classified as Aryakas, Kururas, Videhas, Bhavins, etc., and are said to be the four castes viz. the Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras in this continent. Lord Isha is worshipped by the people of all castes residing there. 

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

12-13. They live without any ailment for five thousand years. The island continent Shalmali¹ is twice the Plakshadvipa in extent and is encircled by the sea of sugarcane juice. There are seven Varshas (sub-continents) and seven dividing ranges of mountains there also.

1. The land of silk-cotton tree'. The name indicates warm equatorial region. M. Ali identifies it with the tropical part of Africa bordering the Indian ocean on the west including Madagasgar.

14-16. O observers of good vows, the mountains are long and straight with excellent knots (and ridges). The rivers are also seven in number. The names of the mountains are Kumuda, Annada, Balahaka, Drona, Kaṁsa, Mahisha and Kakudman. The rivers that dispel the sins of the people are-Yoni, Toya, Vitrushna, Chandra, Shukla, Vimochani and Nivrutti. O excellent Brahmanas, there is no avarice or anger among the people. 

17. There is no fixation of the period for the different Yugas. People live without ailment. The people of all castes worship the external Vayu there. 

18-19a. It is but proper that they achieve this (v.1. they realize Sayujya type of salvation with him (i.e., Vayu). They realise the Sarupya and Salokata forms of salvation (with Vayu). Brahmanas are mentioned to be tawny coloured. The kings are pink in complexion. O Brahmanas, in this continent the Vaishyas are yellow-coloured and the Shudras are black. 

19b-22. Kusha-dvipa which is twice the extent of Shalamalidvipa stands encircling Suroda (the ocean of wine). The seven mountains (thereof) are: Vidruma, Homa, (v.l. Hema) Dyutiman, Pushpavan, Kusheshaya, Hari and Mandara. The seven great rivers are Dhūtapapa, Shiva, Pavitra, Sammită, Vidyut, Prabha and Rama. O Brahmanas, there are hundreds of other auspicious rivers with crystal-like water.

23-24a. Devas and others worship Ishana. Brahmanas there are called Dravinas; Kshatriyas are known as Sushmins, Vaishyas, Stobhas (v.l. Snehas) and Shudras, Mandehas. 

24b-26a. Men are endowed with perfect knowledge and possess friendliness and other attributes. They keep their word or perform religious activities as prescribed in the Shastras. They are engaged in the welfare of all living beings. By performance of various sacrifices, they worship the highest god Brahma. They attain Sayujya (absorption in the deity), Sarupya (similarity with the form of the deity) and Salokya (residence in the region of the deity) types of Muktis with god Brahma. 

26b-27a. Krauncha-dvipa¹ which is twice the extent of Kushadvipa in area stands encircling the ocean of clarified butter, O Brahmanas. 

1. M. Ali decides it to be the basin of the Black Sea (Op. cit., pp. 45-46) while V. V. Iyer identifies it with Asia Minor (Quarterly Journal of Mythical Society XV. 119-127).

27b-28. The Border-mountains are: Krauncha, Vamanaka, Adhikarika, Devabda, Viveda, Pundarika and Dundubhisvana. 

29. The following are the main rivers viz. Gauri, Kumudvati, Sandhya, Ratri, Manojava, Kobhi and Pundarikaksha. 

30. O excellent Brahmanas, the four castes are Pushkala, Pushkara, Dhanya and Tishya respectively (in the places of) Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. 

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

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

33. Shaka-dvipa² is twice the extent of Krauncha-dvipa in area and it is situated encompassing the ocean of curds.

2. Its description in Puranas shows it to be a Monsoon land with teak-wood forest and heavy rainfall. M. Ali identifies it with the region now known as Malaya, Thailand, Indo-China and Southern China-The ocean of Milk mentioned in V. 40, is probably the turbulent and foamy South China Sea.

34. The mountains thereof are, Udaya, Raivata, Shyama, Kashthagiri (v.l. shyamaka, Astagiri), Ambikeya, Ramya and Kesarin. 

35. The main rivers are-Sukumari, Kumari, Nalini, Venuka, Ikshuka, Dhenuka and Gabhasti. 

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

37. The Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras are respectively called Mruga, Magadha, Manasa and Mandagas. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

45. Others are purified by meditating upon Brahman and by observing Nirbija ("seedless') yoga. They meditate on the great Brahman, the external Vasudeva. 

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

47. All of them have the four-armed form; They are the wielders of Shankha, Chakra and Gada (mace); all of them wear good yellow robes; their chests are marked by the line of golden hair called Shrivatsa. 

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

49. All are endowed with Shakti; they have perpetual bliss and they are pure. Persons who closely move with Vishnu stay there. 

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

51. It is fitted with golden ramparts and crystal pandals and halls, the lustre of which is diffused in a thousand ways; it is splendid and unthwartable. 

52-54. It has mansions and palaces full of great apartments. It has thousands of golden archways shining with different jewels. It contains splendid sheets and covers; it is embellished with wonderful articles; its beauty is enhanced by delightful parks of various shapes and flowing rivulets; there are lakes all round; many banners of variegated colours beautify it. 

55. Everywhere it has streets; the steps and staircases are bedecked in jewels; it has hundreds and thousands of rivers; it is reverberating with divine songs and music. 

56. It abounds in swans, ducks and ruddy geese; it has four main gateways; it is incomparable and inaccessible to the enemies of Devas. 

57-61. Its beauty is enhanced by bevies of divine damsels who dance and who know the technique of different kinds of music difficult of access even to Devas; who are richly endowed with different modes and ways of dalliance; who are very tender and passionate; whose faces resemble the moon; whose anklets jingle and twinkle; who smile slightly; whose lips are like the red cherry (Bimba) fruits; whose eyes resemble the beautiful eyes of tender fawns; who possess all types of riches; who are graced with slender waists; whose gait resembles the movements of the royal swans; whose dress and features are fine; whose voice is sweet; who are efficient in conversations and pleasing talks; who are richly adorned with divine ornaments and who are stooping down with the weight of their breasts; whose eyes roll about due to the intake of wine; whose limbs are of variegated colours and who are fond of different pleasures and sexual dalliance. 

62. The city is beautified with parks and gardens with full blown flowers and hundreds of living beings. Innumerable Devas also beautify it. It has numerous attributes. 

63. The city of the Lord and the consort of Shri, of unmeasured splendour is very sacred and glorious. In its middle is a highly-splendid spot of lofty ramparts and arched ornamental gateways. 

64-65. It is the divine abode of Vishnu, the bestower of Siddhis on the Yogins. In it, the sole lord having the lustre of lotus petals, lord Hari from whom the entire Universe is born lies down on Shesha his serpent-couch. He is being meditated over by the leading Yogins, the chief of whom is Sanandana. 

66-68. He drinks in the nectar of the bliss of his own Alman. He is the deity beyond darkness; he is the yellow-robed large-eyed deity of great Maya and mighty arms. His pair of feet is stroked forever by the daughter of the milk-ocean; that goddess, the beloved of Hari, worthy of being worshipped by the Universe, stays at his feet for ever with her mind resting on him imbibing the nectar of Narayana. Evil men of impious activities do not go there; nor those who dwell in the abodes of other Devas. 

69. It is the abode named Vaikuntha. It is revered even by Devas. My intellect is not competent to describe the entire region. 

70. Only this much can be said: it is indeed the city of Narayana. He alone is the great Brahman; He is the eternal Vasudeva. 

71-72. The glorious Narayana, deluding the Universe with his Maya, lies down there; this Universe is born of Narayana; it is stabilised in him alone. At the end of the Kalpa period, the world resorts to him. He is the ultimate goal.