जम्बूखण्ड-विनिर्माण पर्व — सुदर्शन द्वीप का वर्णन

Dhritarashtra said O Sanjaya, O man learned in the measures of all things, tell me in detail the names of rivers and mountains and of provinces and all other things that are on earth and the dimensions of the whole earth and of the forest.

Sanjaya said O king of kings, the wise call all things in the universe as equal in consequences of the presence of the five elements (in them).

These elements are the ether, air, fire, water, and earth. Their attributes are sound, touch, vision, taste and smell. Every one of these elements possesses the attributes and the attributes of things that come to it. Therefore the earth is the foremost of all, possessing as it does the attributes of all the other four. Thus say the Rishis who know the truth.

O king, there are four attributes in water. It has no scent. Fire has three attributes, namely sound, touch and vision.

Air has only sound and touch whereas ether has sound alone. O king, these five attributes exist in the five principle elements.

On which depend all creatures in the universe for their existence. They do not depend on each other when there is equipoise.

When these (elements), not existing in the natural state, exist with one another, then all creatures without any deviation spring into life with various sorts of bodies.

The elements are destroyed in the order of the one succeeding the one that proceeds. They also spring into existence, one arising from one before it. All these are immeasurable, their forms being Brahma himself.

Creatures consisting of the five elements are seen in the universe. Men try to know their proportions by exercising their reason.

Those matters that are inconceivable can never be solved by reason. What is above nature is an indication that it is inconceivable.

O descendant of Kuru, I shall now describe to you the island called Sudarshana. O king, this island is circular like a wheel.

It abounds in rivers and other waters, in mountains that look like masses of clouds, and in cities and in many charming provinces.

It is full of trecs covered with flowers and fruits and with crops of various kinds and with many other rich things. It is surrounded on all sides with the salt sea.

As a man can see his face in a mirror, so is the island called Sudarshana seen in the lunar disc.

Two of its parts appear like a pipal tree, the two others look like a large hare. It is surrounded on all sides with the various kinds of plants.

Beside these portions, the rest is all water. I shall describe them to you shortly. Hear what I now describe in brief.