THE EIGHTH BOOK Chapter IX On the narration of the division of the continents 1-2. Nārāyaṇa said: In Hari Varṣā, the Bhagavān Hari is shining splendid as a Yogi in the form of Narasimha. The Mahā Bhāgavat (most devoted) Prahlāda, who knows the attributes of God worships and chants hymns with his whole hearted devotion, seeing that beautiful form, gladdening

THE EIGHTH BOOK Chapter X On the description of Bhuvanakoṣa 1-7. Nārāyaṇa said: In Hiraṇmaya Varṣā, the Bhagavān is remaining in the form of Kurma, the Tortoise, as the Lord of Yoga. He is thus praised and worshipped by Aryamā, the Ruler of the Pitris. Aryamā said: Om namo Bhāgavate Akūpārāya ; (King of tortoises, sustaining the world) Obeisance to

THE EIGHTH BOOK Chapter XI On the description of the continents and of Bhāratvarṣa 1. Nārāyaṇa said: In this Bhāratvarṣa (India) I am present, as the First of all, in the shape of the Man, at present existing before you. Let you praise Me incessantly thus:— 2-28. Nārada said: Thou art the Bhagavān. Obeisance to Thee. Thou art completely free

THE EIGHTH BOOK Chapter XII On the narration of Plakṣa, Śālmala and Kuśa Dvīpas 1-37. Nārāyaṇa said: The Jambudvīpa has been described, how it is and what is its width: It is surrounded on all sides by the salt ocean. As Meru is surrounded by Jambu Dvīpa, so the salt ocean is surrounded by Plakṣa Dvīpa, twice its size. As

THE EIGHTH BOOK Chapter XIII On the description of the remaining Dvīpas 1. Nārada said: Thou, the Knower of everything! Describe about the remaining Dvīpas, knowing which we will be highly delighted. 2-36. Nārāyaṇa spoke thus: The very vast Ghrita Sāgara (the ocean of clarified butter) is encircling the Kuśa Dvīpa. Next to it is the Krauncha Dvīpa. It is

THE EIGHTH BOOK Chapter XIV On the description of the Lokāloka space 1-29. Nārāyaṇa said: Next to the ocean of pure water, is the mountain, called Lokāloka. It marks the sphere between the two countries Loka and Aloka. O Devarṣi! There is a land, all of pure gold (beyond this ocean of pure water) of a space equal to the

THE EIGHTH BOOK Chapter XV On the motion of the Sun 1-45. Nārāyaṇa said O Nārada! I will now describe the motion of the Sun. Hear: It is of three kinds; Śīghra (perihelionic), Manda (Aphelionic), and even. O Surasattama! Every planet has three positions. The name of the Madhyagati position is Jāradgava, the name of the northern position is Airāvata;

THE EIGHTH BOOK Chapter XVI On the motion of the planets Śrī Nārāyaṇa said: O Nārada! Now hear the wonderful movements of the planets and their positions: The auspicious and inauspicious events of the mankind are due to the different movements of these planets. As in a potter’s wheel going round and round, the motion of the insects crawling on

THE EIGHTH BOOK Chapter XVII On the Dhruva Maṇḍalam 1-29. Nārāyaṇa said: Beyond the Saptarṣi Maṇḍalam (the Great Bear), thirteen lakh Yojanas higher is situated, the Viṣṇu’s Paramam Padam (the highest place of Viṣṇu). The Great Bhāgavat (devotee of God), the most respectful, Śrīmān Dhruva, the son of Uttānapāda, is established there with Indra, Agni, Kaśyapa and Dharma and the