87 - Kushadvipa

Rudra said:

1. Now listen to Kušhadvipa, the third. Kušhadvipa is surrounded by the milky ocean, and is double in extent of the Shäkadvîpa. There are seven major mountains here also, each with two names such as Kumuda, also called Vidruma. The high Hemaparvata is also Drona, is also Kañka, Kushešhaya is also Agnimän, and the sixth is also Hari. Agni remains there.

2. The seventh is Kakudhra; it is the same as Mandara. These are the mountains in Kušhadvipa. The divisions in it have also two names each. Kumuda is Šhveta, it is named first. The high Lolita is also Venumandala. Valähaka is Jimuta and is the same as Rathäkära. Drona is Hari and is the same as Balädhana.

3. The rivers there have also two names. Pratoyä is also called Pravešha. The second is Šhivä, also called Yašhodä. The third is Chitra, also known as Krishnä. The fourth is Hrädinï, also called Chandrå. The fifth is Vidyullatä, also called Shuklä. The sixth is Varnä, it is the same as Vibhàvari. The seventh is Mahati, the same as Dhruti. These are the main rivers. The others are minor ones. This is the arrangement in Kušhadvipa.

4. Shäkadvipa and its position have already been narrated. In its middle is a big mass of Kušha grass. The Kušhadvipa is surrounded by an ocean of curd, equal to amruta, and double the size of the milky ocean.

Summary of chapter 87 of the Varāha Mahā Purana is as follows:

The text recounts the history of Auśanasa-tīrtha, also celebrated as Kapālamochana, where Sage Auśanas performed intense penances to master divine wisdom. The chapter details how a demonic skull that had attached itself to Sage Mahodara was instantly severed and dissolved upon entering the holy waters of Kapālamochana. This miraculous event established the lake as a supreme sanctuary for dissolving the heaviest sins, karmic afflictions, and physical ailments.