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If there be any Karma left to us after the enjoyment of Svarga may we be born as men that we may worship Hari." Some say there are eight upadvipas in Jambu Dvipa, formed by the sons of Sagara when they dug up this earth in search of the sacri- ficial horse. They are Svarna Prastha, Chandra Sukla, Avartana, Ra- 132 A Study of the Bhagavata Purana manaka, Manda-harina, Panchajanya, Sinhala and Louka. THE DVIPAS. SKANDHA V. CHAP. 20. Plaksha Dvipa Jambu Dvipa is surrounded by the salt ocean on all sides. That ocean extends over Laksha Yojanas. That salt ocean is again sur- rounded on all sides by Plaksha Dvipa, which extends over 2 laksha of Yojanas. There is one golden Plaksha tree in that Dvipa as high as the Jambu tree in Jambu Dvipa and the Dvipa itself takes its name from that tree. There Fire is seven tongued, Idhmajihva son of Priyavrata ruled over this Dvipa. He divided the Dvipa into seven Varshas and named them after his seven sons each of whom ruled over the Varsha of his name. Siva, Vayasa, Subhadra, Santa, Kshema, Amrita and Abhoya are the Varshas. Manikita, Vajrakita, Indrasena, Jyotishmat, Subarna, Hi- ranyasthiva and Meghmala are the seven chief mountains. Aruna, Nrimana, Angirasi, Savitri, Supravata, Ritambhara and Satyambhara are the seven great rivers. Hansa, Patanga, Urdhayana and Satyanga are the corresponding castes. The dwellers of the Dvipa live for one thousand years. They look like Devas and procreate after Deva fashion. They worship the Sirya (Sun-god) of the Vedas. (The Mantra is given) In Plaksha, Salmali, Kusa, Krouncha and Saka, the inmates have their age, Indriyas, strength, power and Budhi by their very birth and not by Karma. The Dvipa is surrounded by the Sugar cane juice ocean which extends over 2 laksha of Yojanas. Salmali Divpa:—Twice as large as Plaksha Dvipa. The ocean of wine surrounding it is equally large. Tree:—Salmali (Bombax Malabaricum) as high as the Plaksha tree said to be the seat of Garuda. Purnendu Narayana Sinha, M. A., B. L. 133 King: Yajna-vaha son of Priyavrata. Seven Varshas and seven sons of Yajnavaha:—Surochana, Soumanasya, Ramanaka, Devvarha, Paribhadra, Apyayana and Abhijhata. Seven principal mountains:—Surasa, Sata Sringa, Vamadeva, Kunda, Kumuda, Pushpa Varsha and Sahosra. Seven great rivers:—Anumati, Sinivati, Sarasvati, Kuhu, Rajani, Nanda and Raka. Divisions of people:—Srutidhara, Viryadhara, Vasundhara, and Ishundhara. Presiding deity:—The Moon. Kusa Dvipa:—Twice as large as Salmali Dvipa surrounded by an ocean of clarified butter equally large. Tree:—Clusters of Kusa grass glowing and glittering. King:—Hiranyaretas son of Priyavrata. Seven Varshas:—Vasu, Vasudana, Dridharuchi, Nabhigupta, Satyavrata, Bikranama, and Devanama. Seven mountains:—Babhra, Chatur-Sringa, Kapila Chitra Kuta, Devanika, Urdharomau and Dravina. Seven Rivers:—Raaskulya, Madhukulya, Mitravinda, Srutavinda, Deva Garbha, Ghutachynta, and Mantramala. Divisions of People:—Kusala, Kovida, Abhiyukta and Kulaka. Presiding Deity:—Agni (Fire-god). Krouncha Dvipa:—Twice as large as Kusa, surrounded by an ocean of milk equally large. Named after the Krouncha Mountain. The Krouncha Mountain was attacked by Kartikeya and injured too. But the Milk Ocean and the presiding deity Varuna saved it. King:—Ghritaprestha son of Priyavrata. Seven Varshas:—Atma, Madhuruha, Meghapristha, Sudhawan, Bhrajistha, Lohitarna, Vanaspati. Seven Mountains:—Sukla, Vardhaman, Bhajana, Upavarhaha, Nauda, Nandana and Sarvato-bhadra. Seven Rivers:—Abhoya, Amritougha, Aryuka, Tirthavati, Rupa- vati, Pavitravati and Sukla. Divisions of people:—Purasha, Rishabha, Dravina and Devaka. Presiding Deity: Apas (Water-God.) 134 A Study of the Bhagavata Purana Saka Dvipa:—32 laksha Yojanas. Surrounded by an ocean of curds—equally extensive. Tree:—Saka (Teak wood tree) very fragrant. King:—Medhatithi, son of Priyavrata. Seven Varshas:—Purojava, Manojava, Vepamana, Dhimranika, Chitrarepha, Bahuripa and Visva-dhara. Seven Mountains:—Isana, Uru Sringa, Balabhadra, Sata Kesara, Sahasra-srotas, Devapala and Mohanasa. Seven Rivers:—Anagha, Ayurda, Ubhayaspriti, Aparajita, Puncha- padi, Sahasra Sruti and Nijadhriti. Division of people:—Ritavrata, Satyavrata, Danavrata and Anu- vrata. Presiding Deity:—Vayu (Wind-god). Puskkara Dvipa:—Twice as large as Saka Dvipa surrounded by an ocean of pure water—equally extensive: There is a big Pushkara or Lotus plant with thousands of golden leaves. The Lotus is known as the seat of Brahma. Standing between two Varshas, eastern and western, is the Ma- nasattara Mountain ten thousand Yojanas high. On the four sides of this Mountain are four abodes of the Lokapalas = Indra and others. Over these abodes the Sanvatsava or Uttarayana Dakshinayana wheel (chakra) of the Sun’s chariot moves in its course round Meru. Vitihotra, Son of Priyavrata, is the king of this Varsha. His two sons Ramanaka and Dhataka are the lords of two Varshas named after them. The people of those Varshas worship Brahma by Yajna perfor- mances. Beyond the Ocean of pure water is the Lokaloka (Loka and Aloka) Mountain, dividing Loka, the regions lighted by the sun, from Aloka or the regions not lighted by the sun. As much land as there is between Manasottara and Meru, so much golden land is there on the other side of the pure water ocean. It is like the surface of the mirror. If any thing is thrown on that land, it is not regained. It is therefore forsaken by all beings. [The land between Manasottara and Meru is one krore and a half plus seven and a half lakhs. There is as much land on the other side of the Pure Water Ocean. There are living beings in that land. Beyond that is the Purnendu Narayana Sinha, M. A., B. L. 135 golden land. That land is eight krores and thirty nine laksha yojanas wide. It is thus that the distance between Meru and Lokaloka comes to be 12 5 krores as mentioned below. This is also said in the Siva Tantra. Two krores 53 lakshas and 50 thousand this is the measure of the seven Dvipas with the Oceans. Beyond that is the golden land which is 10 Krores of Yojanas. This is used by the Devas as their play-ground. Beyond that is Lokaloka. The ten krores include the previously mentioned land, "Forsaken by all beings"—this is to be un- derstood with the exception of the Devas, for it is mentioned as the play-ground of the Devas. Sridhara.] In order to understand the commentary of Sridhara, let us exam- ine the figures. Jambu Dvipa with Ocean on one side of Meru: . 150,000 Yojanas Plaksha Dvipa with Ocean on one side of Meru: . 400,000 Salmali Do. ... ... 800,000 Kusa Do. .. ... 1,600,000 Krouncha Do. .. ... 3,200,000 Saka Do. .. ... 6,400,000 Pushkar Do. . ... 12,800,000 Deduct Pure water Ocean as it is not included between Meru and Manasottara: . 6,400,000 18,950,000 136 A Study of the Bhagavata Purana Manasottara stands half way in Pushkara, as it stands between two Varshas. Deduct distance between MAanasottara and Pure Water Ocean: . 3,200,000 15,750,000 The distance between Meru and MAanasottara is 1 5 Krores and 7 5 lakhs. According to Sridhara, there is this much land on the other side of the Pure Water Ocean. Beyond that land is the Golden land which according to Sridhara is: . 83900000 Yojanas Thus we get Dvipas and Oceans ... 25350000 " Land beyond Pure Water Oceans ... 15750000 a The Golden land ... ... 83900000 " 125000000 =" Thus we get the 12 5 krores of Sridhara. Beyond the Golden land is the Lokaéloka Mountain. This will also explain the quotation from Siva Tantra. The following Diagram will partially illustrate the points. Purnendu Narayana Sinha, M. A., B. L. 137 Lok4loka * © &*& &* *& & & OK & The Golden Land Land beyond Pure Water ’ Qcean Pure Water Ocean SUD e Dear eE eens eran r ere seer renee n ee eee renee oseeany o oO 4 ( ** MAnaséttara i] & Milk Ocean Sour Milk Ocean Bnececeesvevecenece Concenedeveernoccveconresunves Krouncha Clarified Butter Ocean Creme cree econ aera recede naaace nace reeD Dare reseseeD Wine Ocean reer eee eC Ee eee rreerererrerrrrrrrrrererr irr on Salmali Sugarcane Juice Ocean Poem eerste eerar nea reunsereeressseuuneereeneuenes Plaksha Salt Occan Cece soa nvccasccsenveer Foreenerrerercesenesasereaee * Meru, Jambu 138 A Study of the Bhagavata Purana The Lokaloka is the boundary of three Lokas, Bhtir, Bhuvar, and Svar. The rays of the numerous bodies from the Sun up to Dhruva il- luminate the regions on the Triloka side of Lokaloka but they can never reach its other side. For such is the height and expanse of Lokaloka—(It is even higher than Dhruva. So it is the boundary of Triloki. Sridhara). The Bhu-Golaka or the Bhir system measures 50 Krores. And Lokaloka is one-fourth of that i.e. 12 5 Krores (on one side of Meru. Sridhara). Over this Lokaloka, Brahma placed 4 Elephant Kings in four different directions viz: Rishabha, Pushkarachira, Vamana and Aparajita. This is for the preservation of the Lokas. Bhagavan Maha Purusha (Vishnu) Himself remains there. He in- fuses various powers into the Elephant Kings and into the Lokapalas (preservers of the Lokas) Indra and others who are but His manifes- tations. He pervades all. He manifests His pure Satva. The charac- teristics of that satva are the eight Siddhis. Dharma, Jnana, Vairagya, Aisvarya &c., Vishvaksena and His other Companions are with Him. His own weapons are in his hands. He remains there for the good of all Lokas. To the end of the Kalpa, Vishnu remains in this way pervading all for the preservation of the Universe formed by His own Maya. The measure of Aloka is also 12 5 Krores (on one side of Meru. Sridhara).