PART II.

Section I.—Descendants of Priyavrata, the eldest son of Swayambhuva Manu; his ten sons; three adopt a religious life; the others become kings of seven Dwipas, or isles, of the earth. Agnidhras, king of Jambu-dwipa divides it into nine portions, which he distributes amongst his sons, Nabhi king of the south succeeded by Bharata; India named after him Bhārata; his descendants reign during the Swayambhuva Manwantara.

Section II.—Description of the earth. The seven Dwipas and seven seas Jambu-dwipa. Mount Meru; its existence and boundaries. Extent of Illavrita. Groves, lakes, and branches of Meru. Cities of the Gods. Rivers. The forms of Vishnu worshipped in different Varthas.

Section III.—Description of Bharata-Varsha; extent; chief mountains; nine divisions; principal nations; superiority over other Varshasi especially as the seat of religious acts.

Section IV.—Account of kings, divisions, mountains, rivers, and inhabitants of the other Dwipas viz. Plaksha, Silmala, Kusa, Krauneba, Sāka, and Pushkara; of the oceans separating them; of the tides; the confines of the earth; the Lokaloka Mountain. Extent of the whole.

Section V.—Of the regions of Patala, below the earth. Nārada's praises of Patala. Account of the serpent Sesha. First teacher of astronomy and astrology.

Section VI.—Of the different hells, or divisions of Naraka, below Patala; the crimes punished in them respectively; efficacy of expiation; meditation on Vishnu the most effective expiation.

Section VII.—Extent and situation of the seven spheres viz., earth, sky, planets, Moharloka, Janaloka, Tapoloka, and Satyaloka. Of the egg of Brahmā and its elementary envelopes. Of the influence of the energy of Vishnu.

Section VII.—Description of the Sun; his chariot; its two axles; his horses. The cities of the regents of the cardinal points. The Sun's course; nature of his rays; his path along the ecliptic. Length of day and night. Divisions of time; equinoxes and solstices, months, years, the cyclical yuga, or age of five years. Northern and southern declinations. Saints on the Lokaloka mountain. Celestial paths of the Pitris, gods, Vishnu. Origin of the Ganga, and separation, on the top of Meru into four great rivers.

Section IX.—Planetary system, under the type of a Sisumara or porpoise. The earth nourished by the Sun. Of rain whilst the Sun shines. Of rain from clouds. Rain the support of vegetation, and thence of animal life. Nārāyana the support of all beings.

Section X.—Names of the twelve Adityas. Names of the Rishis, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Yakshas, Uragas, and Rākshasas, who attend the chariot of the sun in each month of the year. Their respective functions.

Section XI.—The sun distinct from, and supreme over, the attendance on his car; identical with the three Vedas and with Vishnu; his functions.

Section XII.—Description of the Moon; his chariot, horses, and course, fed by the Sun; drained periodically of ambrosia by the progenitors and gods. The chariots and horses of the planets; kept in their orbits by aerial chains attached to Dhruva. Tropical members of the planetary porpoise. Vasudeva alone real.

Section XIII.—Legend of Bharata. Bharata abdicates his throne and becomes an ascetic; cherishes a fawn, and becomes so much attached to it as to neglect his devotions; he dies; his successive births; works in the fields and is pressed as a palanquin-bearer for the Raja of Sauvira; rebuked for his awkwardness; his reply; dialogue between him and the king.

Section XIV.—Dialogue continued, Bharata expounds the nature of existence, the end of life, and the identification of individual with universal spirit.

Section XV.—Bharata relates the story of Ribhu and Nidagha, the latter, the pupil of the former, becomes a prince, and is visited by his preceptor, who explains to him the principles unity and departs.

Section XVI.—Ribhu returns to his disciple, and perfects him in divine knowledge. The same recommended to the Rajah by Bharata, who thereupon obtains final liberation. Consequences of hearing this legend.