Hear now this ancient account of the world as it is known among the present gods. Those who once lived in pride and have since departed are no different from those who dwell upon the earth today. Thus, let me describe the surface of the Earth as it stands in this age. The Earth, as remembered by the wise, stretches to a breadth of one and a half hundred crore yojanas. Its half-measure is reckoned from the very tip of a yojana, and in this way, it is said there are ninety-nine thousand yojanas less than a hundred thousand. Again, from the tip of a yojana, eleven crore yojanas are counted. Thus is the circumference of the Earth's interior described. The arrangement and distribution of the Earth extends outward as far as its celestial orbit. The positions of the seven continents are established, and above each, the worlds are arrayed in a circular formation, like the canopy of an umbrella. This, indeed, is the measure of the shell of the cosmic egg, as has been revealed. Within this cosmic structure, Bhūrloka, Bhuvarloka, and the third, Svarga, each are established in their own right. Altogether, these seven worlds are set in the form of an umbrella. Encircling them from the outside are the elements, each layer surpassing the last by one-tenth in proportion. All around this cosmic egg lies the dense and all-encompassing ocean. Beyond this ocean, the entire creation is supported by concentrated radiance and is firmly upheld by the revered wind of wealth. All things are enveloped by the primordial elements, and these, in turn, are surrounded by the Great. Now, let me declare in order the ancient guardians of the worlds. On the eastern side of the great Meru, and likewise upon the summit of Manasa, a guardian is established. Again, on the southern side of Meru, and again to the west, upon the summit of Manasa, the guardians hold their stations. Varuna, lord of the aquatic beings, dwells in the city named Sukha. This city is equal in splendor to that of Mahendra; for Soma, too, there is a city called Vibhāvarī. These cities and their lords are established to uphold righteousness and safeguard the worlds. Now, listen to the movement of the sun as it passes through the divisions of the heavens. Taking up the wheel of the luminaries, the sun continually revolves. In the realm of Vaivasvata, where restraint is observed, the sunrise is witnessed. In the region of Varuna, too, the sun rises for the delight of those who dwell there. When afternoon is established in the southeastern lands, for the people who live in the far north, it is night. In the same way, who shines forth in the northern worlds? At dawn, in the city of Soma—Somapura—the radiant sun rises. There, at dawn, the sun stands at midday, while at midnight, in the realm of restraint or in Varuna’s region, it sets. Thus, ever moving and revolving, the sun journeys through the constellations. At sunrise and sunset, it returns again and again in its course. At midday, the sun burns with its own powerful rays. Thereafter, as the number of cows—symbols of light—diminishes, the sun proceeds toward its setting. Just as it burns in the east at dawn, so too does it shine behind and to the sides, illuminating all directions. Thus is the arrangement of the earth and heavens, the guardians and the sun, as remembered and revered among the gods.