Macroscopic Features
Note: We will use the height of Mt. Meru above the Ocean as the base unit Meru (M), which is 84,000 yojanas or 80,000 yojanas depending on the tradition.
The Cakras Below the Earth and the Great Ocean
At the bottom is the Ākāśacakra which is endless in measure.
Atop the Ākāśacakra, there is the Vāyucakra, 20 M in height and aparimāṇas in diameter.
Atop the Vāyucakra, there is the Jalacakra, 4 M in height and 4 M in diameter.
Atop the Jalacakra, there is the Suvarṇacakra, 10 M in height and 4 M in diameter.
All of these are held together by the karma of all beings.
The Naraka Realms
Within the Suvarṇacakra are the Eight Hot Hells and their Sixteen Subsidiary Hells, and the Eight Cold Hells above them.
Avīci is 1/4 M in height and 1/4 M in length width. It has entrances at the four quarters, and beside the entrances are each of the Sixteen Subsidiary Hells arranged symmetrically. The Sixteen Subsidiary Hells of Avīci are each 1/32 M in length and width.
Pratāpana is 1/16 M in height and 1/16 in length and width. It has entrances at the four quarters, and beside the entrances are each of the Sixteen Subsidiary Hells arranged symmetrically. The Sixteen Subsidiary Hells of are each 1/128 M in length, width, and height.
Tapana is 1/16 M in height and 1/16 in length and width. It has entrances at the four quarters, and beside the entrances are each of the Sixteen Subsidiary Hells arranged symmetrically. The Sixteen Subsidiary Hells of are each 1/128 M in length, width, and height.
Mahāraurava is 1/16 M in height and 1/16 in length and width. It has entrances at the four quarters, and beside the entrances are each of the Sixteen Subsidiary Hells arranged symmetrically. The Sixteen Subsidiary Hells of are each 1/128 M in length, width, and height.
Raurava is 1/16 M in height and 1/16 in length and width. It has entrances at the four quarters, and beside the entrances are each of the Sixteen Subsidiary Hells arranged symmetrically. The Sixteen Subsidiary Hells of are each 1/128 M in length, width, and height.
Saṃghāta is 1/16 M in height and 1/16 in length and width. It has entrances at the four quarters, and beside the entrances are each of the Sixteen Subsidiary Hells arranged symmetrically. The Sixteen Subsidiary Hells of are each 1/128 M in length, width, and height.
Kālasūtra is 1/16 M in height and 1/16 in length and width. It has entrances at the four quarters, and beside the entrances are each of the Sixteen Subsidiary Hells arranged symmetrically. The Sixteen Subsidiary Hells of are each 1/128 M in length, width, and height.
Saṃjīva is 1/16 M in height and 1/16 in length and width. It has entrances at the four quarters, and beside the entrances are each of the Sixteen Subsidiary Hells arranged symmetrically. The Sixteen Subsidiary Hells of are each 1/128 M in length, width, and height.
Above these are the Eight Cold Hells.
Mahāpadma is 1/4 M in height and 1/4 in length and width. It has entrances at the four quarters.
Padma is 1/16 M in height and 1/16 in length and width. It has entrances at the four quarters.
Utpala is 1/16 M in height and 1/16 in length and width. It has entrances at the four quarters.
Huhuva is 1/16 M in height and 1/16 in length and width. It has entrances at the four quarters.
Hahava is 1/16 M in height and 1/16 in length and width. It has entrances at the four quarters.
Aṭaṭa is 1/16 M in height and 1/16 in length and width. It has entrances at the four quarters.
Nirarbuda is 1/16 M in height and 1/16 in length and width. It has entrances at the four quarters.
Arbuda is 1/16 M in height and 1/16 in length and width. It has entrances at the four quarters.
Above the Suvarṇacakra
Atop the Suvarṇacakra, there is the Great Ocean, 1 M in height and 4 M in diameter.
Within the Great Ocean, there are layers of earth.
The Nīlapṛthvī Layers is 1/80 M in height and is 4 M in diameter.
The Pītapṛthvī Layer is 1/80 M in height and is 4 M in diameter.
The Lohitapṛthvī Layer is 1/80 M in height and is 4 M in diameter.
The Śvetapṛthvī Layer is 1/80 M in height and is 4 M in diameter.
The Śvetamṛttikā Layer is 1/160 M in height and is 4 M in diameter.
The Kardama Layer is 1/160 M in height and is 4 M in diameter.
Mt. Meru
In the centre of the Great Ocean is Mt. Meru which stands 1 M above the Great Ocean and 1 M within the Great Ocean, and it attaches itself to Suvarṇacakra through the layers of earth. Three legs attach it to the Suvarṇacakra they are called the Trikūṭa.
Mt. Meru’s northern face is made of suvarṇa, its eastern face is made of rūpya, its southern face is made of vaiḍūrya, and its western face is made of spaṭhika.
When light shines on its sides they illuminate in those directions with the colour of pītavarṇa, śvetavarṇa, nīlavarṇa, and lohitavarṇa, respectively.
Between the Asuras below and the Devas above, and on the slopes of Mt. Meru, there are Five Terraces.
The First Terrace starts at the base of the water with a height of 1/8 M and with a radius of 1/5 M. This the Bhavana of the Uraga Yakṣadevatās, these are Nāgas. Their kings are Nanda and Upananda.
The Second Level starts above the previous, with a height of 1/8 M and with a radius of 1/10 M. This is the Bhavana of the Karoṭapāṇi Yakṣadevatās, these are Garuḍas.
The Third Terrace starts above the previous, with a height of 1/8 M and with a radius of 1/20 M. This is the Bhavana of the Mālādhara Yakṣadevatās, these are the Kumbhāṇḍas.
The Fourth Terrace starts above the previous, with a height of 1/8 M and with a radius of 1/40 M. This is the Bhavana of the Sadāmattā Yakṣadevatās, these are the Yakṣas.
The Fifth Terrace starts at the base of the water with a height of 1/8 M and with a radius of 1/5 M. This is the Bhavana of the Caturmahārājika Devas, these are Vaiśravaṇa, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Virūḍhaka, and Virūpākṣa.
Seven Encircling Mountains
At the base of the First Level is a body of water called the First Śītāntara, and is also called the Mahāsamudra, and this has a radius of 1 M. This Inner Ocean is the Bhavana of the Uragas whose kings are the two Nāgarājas, Nanda and Upananda. And furthermore, on each of the four quarters, 100 yojanas from Mt. Meru, at the bottom of the ocean, are the Citadels of the Asurarājas: Vemacitra, Sucitra, Prahlāda, and Rāhu.
Enclosing this Inner Ocean is Mt. Yugaṃdhara which rises above the ocean 1/2 M in height and 1/2 M in thickness. It is made of suvarṇa and is adorned with the seven jewels. At its base is another body of water called the Second Śītāntara but with a radius of 1/2 M. It is filled with the fourfold flowers of utpalas, padmas, kumudas, and puṇḍarīkas.
Enclosing this Second Śītāntara is Mt. Īṣādhara which rises above the ocean 1/4 M in height, and is 1/4 M in thickness. It is made of suvarṇa and is adorned with the seven jewels. At its base is another body of water called the Third Śītāntara but with a radius of 1/4 M.
Enclosing this Third Śītāntara is Mt. Khadiraka which rises above the ocean 1/8 M in height and is 1/8 M in thickness. It is made of suvarṇa and is adorned with the seven jewels. At its base is another body of water called the Fourth Śītāntara but with a radius of 1/8 M.
Enclosing this Fourth Śītāntara is Mt. Sudarśana which rises above the ocean 1/16 M in height and is 1/16 M in thickness. It is made of suvarṇa and is adorned with the seven jewels. At its base is another body of water called the Fifth Śītāntara but with a radius of 1/16 M. It is filled with the same flowers.
Enclosing this Fifth Śītāntara is Mt. Aśvakarṇa which rises above the ocean 1/32 M in height and is 1/32 M in thickness. It is made of suvarṇa and is adorned with the seven jewels. At its base is another body of water called the Sixth Śītāntara but with a radius of 1/32 M. It is filled with the same flowers.
Enclosing this Sixth Śītāntara is Mt. Vinataka which rises above the ocean 1/64 M in height and is 1/64 M in thickness. It is made of suvarṇa and is adorned with the seven jewels. At its base is another body of water called the Seventh Śītāntara but with a radius of 1/64 M. It is filled with the same flowers.
Enclosing this Sītāntara is Mt. Nimindhara which rises above the ocean 1/128 M in height and is 1/128 M in thickness. It is made of suvarṇa and is adorned with the seven jewels. At its base is another body of water called the Eight Śītāntara but with a radius of 1/128 M.
Enclosing this Śītāntara is Mt. Cakra, also known as Mt. Ketumat, which rises above the ocean 1/256 M in height and is 1/256 M in thickness. It is made of suvarṇa and is adorned with the seven jewels. At its base is a new body of water body of water called the Mahāsāgara but with a radius of 2 M. .
Above the Mahāsāgara is the Bhavana of the Ākāśayakṣas. It is set above the Mahāsāgara, 1/8 M in height. Here, they have vimānas made of spaṭhika.
The Great Ocean and Further
Within the four quarters of the Great Ocean, halfway between Mt. Cakra and Mt. Nimindhara, stand the Four Great Continents.
On the northern quarter stands Uttakuru which is 10,000 yojanas in length and width, it is shaped like a square, and its inhabitants have angular faces like a square.
On the western quarter stands Aparagodānīya which is 9,000 yojanas in length and width, it is shaped like a half moon, and its inhabitants have faces that are straight at the top but have round cheeks and chins, like a half moon.
On the eastern quarter stands Pūrvavideha which is 8,000 yojanas in length and width, it is shaped like a full moon, and its inhabitants have fully rounded faces like a full moon.
On the southern quarter stands Jambudvīpa which is 7,000 yojanas in length and width, it is shaped like a rhombus, or the front of a cart, and its inhabitants have similarly shaped faces.
Each of these Great Continents have two Medium Continents on each of their sides.
There are four intermediate continents between the Four Great Continents, and these are called the Four Upadvīpas. Each are 1,000 yojanas in length and width, and 3,000 yojanas in circumference. These are also the Bhavanas of the Garuḍarājas.
Enclosing all of these four great continents and four intermediate continents at once, is a ring of 80,000 small islands.
Each quarter of the Great Ocean and the Continents is coloured by the light that reflects off of that respective side of Mt. Meru.
Enclosing the Mahāsāgara is Mt. Cakravāḍa, which rises above the ocean 81 M in height and is 81 M in thickness. It is made of rūpya.
The Caturmahārājika Devas
Atop the four quarters of the Fourth Level, at the height of Mt. Yugaṃdhara, live the Caturmahārājika Devas.
On the eastern quarter is the citadel of Dhṛtarāṣṭra who rules over all of the gandharvas and devas throughout the eastern quarter of the world, up to the enclosing wall of Mt. Cakravāḍa.
On the southern quarter is the citadel of Virūḍhaka who rules over all of the kumbhāṇḍas and the hosts of yakṣas of the southern quarter of the world, up to the enclosing wall of Mt. Cakravāḍa.
On the western quarter is the citadel of Virūpakṣa who rules over all of the nāgas and garuḍas of the western quarter of the world, up to the enclosing wall of Mt. Cakravāḍa.
On the northern quarter is the citadel of Vaiśravaṇa who rules over all of the yakṣas and hosts of yakṣas in the northern quarter of the world, up to the enclosing wall of Mt. Cakravāḍa.
Throughout the sky are the suvarṇan and rūpya vimānas of the devas, Sūrya and Candra. Furthermore, throughout the sky are the vimānas of the Nakṣatras and Tārās. Furthermore, throughout the sky are the Mahāvalākaha Devas.
The Trāyastriṃśa Heaven
On the Summit of Mt. Meru and on its four corners are four kūṭa peaks. Devas live on these and are classed as the Four Classes of Vajrapāṇis.
On the northeastern quarter is the Kanakakūṭa, with a suvarṇa citadel of the Śirīṣa Devas.
On the southeastern quarter is the Rajatakūṭa, with rūpya citadel of the Sūkṣmapāda Devas.
On the southwestern quarter is the Vaiḍūryakūṭa, with the vaiḍūrya citadel of the Balasaṃvṛddha Devas.
On the northwestern quarter is the Spaṭhikakūṭa, with the spaṭhika citadel of the Pramudita Devas.
In the centre is the bhavana of the Trāyastriṃśa Devas, it is 1 M in length, width, and height. It is enclosed with seven jewelled prakāras, seven jewelled vedikās, seven jeweled kiṅkiṇījālas, and seven rows of jewelled tāla trees.
The prakāras are 400 yojanas in height and 50 yojanas in width. Between each of the encircling prakāras are areas 500 yojanas in width, each with dvāras at the four quadrants, 30 yojanas in height and 10 yojanas in width. On either sides of the dvāras are aṭṭālakas, khoḍaka, kūṭāgāras, and palyankas. There are also puskarinis, kusumavanas with various trees, leaves, flowers, fruits, and fragrants. At each of the dvaras are 500 yaksas who guard them. Atop each of the jewelled prakāras are the jewelled vedikās with jewelled kiṅkiṇījālas hanging off of them, and at each of the four quarter of the jewelled vedikās are entrances with toraṇas, and with standing niryūhas over them. Outside the vedikās are the rows of jewelled tāla trees. The first level has a suvarṇa prakāra with a rūpya vedikā, suvarṇa jālas with rūpya kiṅkinīs, and rows of suvarṇa tāla trees with rūpya leaves, blossoms, and fruits. The second level alternates with suvarṇa and rūpya switched. The third level alternates with spaṭhika and vaiḍūrya. The fourth level alternates with spaṭhika and vaiḍūrya switched. The fifth level alternates with aśmagarbha and musāragalva. The sixth level alternates with musāragalva and aśmagarbha switched. The seventh level is a mix of all of these jewels.
Within the walls is the Citadel of Sudarśana is 60,000 yojanas in length, width. It is enclosed with seven jewelled prakāras, seven jewelled vedikās, seven jeweled kiṅkiṇījālas, and seven rows of jewelled tāla trees.
The seven prakāras are 100 yojanas in height and 50 yojanas in width. Between each of the encircling prakāras are areas 500 yojanas in width, each with dvāras at the four quadrants, 30 yojanas in height and 10 yojanas in width. On either sides of the dvāras are aṭṭālakas, khoḍaka, kūṭāgāras, and palyankas. There are also puskarinis, kusumavanas with various trees, leaves, flowers, fruits, and fragrants. At each of the dvaras are 500 yaksas who guard them. Atop each of the jewelled prakāras are the jewelled vedikās with jewelled kiṅkiṇījālas hanging off of them, and at each of the four quarter of the jewelled vedikās are entrances with toraṇas, and with standing niryūhas over them. Outside the vedikās are the rows of jewelled tāla trees. The first level has a suvarṇa prakāra with a rūpya vedikā, suvarṇa jālas with rūpya kiṅkinīs, and rows of suvarṇa tāla trees with rūpya leaves, blossoms, and fruits. The second level alternates with suvarṇa and rūpya switched, and so on as before.
Beside the citadel there is also the prāsāda of the Devaputra Airāvana. It is 600 yojanas in length and width. It is enclosed with seven jewelled prakāras, seven jewelled vedikās, seven jeweled kiṅkiṇījālas, and seven rows of jewelled tāla trees. It is filled with singing birds. When he knows that Śakra wishes to visit these sites, he transforms himself into a great white elephant, 30,000 yojanas in size with 33 heads and each head has seven tusks. Atop each tusk is a puṣkariṇī lake filled with the fourfold lotus flowers. Atop these lotus petals are apsaras with attendants of their own. These apsaras sing, play music, and dance. These apsaras live within the tusks which are their abodes and are 5 yojanas in length and width. Atop the head of Airāvana is a jewelled platform 1/14 M in length and width. Atop this platform is a prāsāda adorned with the seven jewels, and aparimāṇas in height. Inside the prāsāda is an inner kūṭāgāra 1/28 M in length and width, and in its centre is a throne for Indra. This throne is furnished with thick cushions with both large and small pillows, and it also has supports and armrests. The throne is 1/140 M tall and Indra sits atop it while surrounded by a retinue of devas.
Within the walls of the Citadel Sudarsana, to the south-east, is the hall of the devas named Sudharmasabha. It is 500 yojanas in length and width. It is enclosed with seven jewelled prakāras, seven jewelled vedikās, seven jeweled kiṅkiṇījālas, and seven rows of jewelled tāla trees. It has a ground made of vaidurya that is as soft as kacina cloth. In the centre is a jewelled pillar 20 yojanas in height. Beneath the pillar is the Throne of Indra, 1 yojana in height and 1/2 a yojana in length and width. and made of the seven jewels, and is soft and smooth, as before.
Outside Sudharmasabha, in the centre, is the prāsāda of Indra. This prāsāda is called Vaijayanta. This prāsāda is 1,000 yojanas in length, width, and height. It is enclosed with seven jewelled prakāras, seven jewelled vedikās, seven jeweled kiṅkiṇījālas, and seven rows of jewelled tāla trees, same as before.
To the east, south, west, and north of Sudharmasabha are the prasadas of the lesser devarajas, 900 yojanas, 800 yojanas, 700 yojanas, all the way down to 100 yojanas in length, height, and width. Each are enclosed by their own seven jewelled prakāras, seven jewelled vedikās, seven jeweled kiṅkiṇījālas, and seven rows of jewelled tāla trees, filled with singing birds, same as before.
To the east, south, west, and north of Sudharmasabha are the prasadas of the lesser devas, 90, yojanas, 80 yojanas, 70 yojanas, all the way down to 10 yojanas in length, height, and width. Each are enclosed by their own seven jewelled prakāras, seven jewelled vedikās, seven jeweled kiṅkiṇījālas, and seven rows of jewelled tāla trees, filled with singing birds, same as before.
On the eastern quarter of the Citadel Sudarśana is a divine park called Pāruṣaka. It is 1,000 yojanas in length and width. It has the same structure of sevenfold features. Within the park are two stones, the first is called Bhadra, and the second is called Subhadra. They are made of Divyasmagarbha, are as soft as kacina cloth, and are 50 yojanas in height, length, and width.
Within this park and near its toraṇa is a Great Lake called Nandā Puṣkariṇī in the northeast, and another called Cūla Puṣkariṇī in the northwest. With the same sevenfold structure and the same fourfold flowers.
On the southern quarter is another divine park called Citrarathavana. It is 1,000 yojanas in length and width. It has two stones in it, one called Citra and the other called Sucitra. They are made of divyavaidurya, are as soft as kacina cloth, and are 50 yojanas in height, length, and width. It also has a chariot in it pulled by 2,000 divine horses. The chariot is made of suvarṇa and adorned with the seven jewels.
On the western quarter is another divine park called Miśraka. It is 1,000 yojanas in length and width. It has the same sevenfold structure. Within the park are two stones, the first is called Subhūti and the second is called Culasubhūti. They are made of divyaspathika, are as soft as kacina cloth, and are 50 yojanas in height, length, and width.
Within this park and near its toraṇa is a Great Lake called Dharmā Puṣkariṇī on the northwest, and another is called Sudharmā Puṣkariṇī on the southwest.
On the northern quarter is another divine park called Nandana. It is 1,000 yojanas in length and width. It has two stones in it, one called Sunanda and the other called Supramudita. They are made of divyarupya, are as soft as kacina cloth, and are 50 yojanas in height, length, and width.
Between Mahāvana and Citrarathavana is a Great Golden Coral Tree called Pārījātaka as well as Kalpavrkṣa. Below this tree is a large stone called Pandukambala made of divine suvarṇa, fifty yojanas in length and width, and is as smooth as kāśi cloth.
Above Trāyastriṃśa Heaven
Above Trāyastriṃśa are the Svargas of the other Devas, filled with their aerial vimānas.
There is the Svarga of the Yāma Devas, 2 M in length, height, and width. Their ruler is the Devarāja Suyāma.
There is the Svarga of the Tuṣita Devas, 4 M in length, height, and width. Their ruler is the Devarāja Santuṣita.
There is the Svarga of the Nirmāṇarati Devas, 8 M in length, height, and width.
There is the Svarga of the the Parinimirtavaśavartin Devas, 16 M in length, height, and width. Their ruler is the Devarāja Vaśavartin.
There is the Svarga of the Māra Devas, halfway between the Parinimirtavaśavartin Devas and the next. Their ruler is the Māra Pāpīyas.
There is the Bhavana of the First Dhyāna Devas, 32 M in length, height, and width. Within it are the Brahmapāriṣadya Devas, the Brahmapurohita Devas, and the Mahābrahma Devas. Their ruler is the Devarāja Mahābrahma.
There is the Bhavana of the Second Dhyāna Devas, 64 M in length, height, and width. Within it are the Parīttābha Devas, the Apramāṇābha Devas, and the Ābhāsvara Devas.
There is the Bhavana of the Third Dhyāna Devas, 128 M in length, height, and width. Within it are the Parīttaśubha Devas, the Apramāṇaśubha Devas, and the Śubhakṛtsna Devas.
There is the Bhavana of the Fourth Dhyāna Devas, 256 M in length, height, and width. Within it are the Abhraka Devas, the Puṇyaprasava Devas, the Bṛhatphala Devas, and the Pure Abode Devas. These Pure Abode Devas are the Avṛha Devas, the Atapa Devas, the Sudṛśa Devas, Sudarśana Devas, and the Akaniṣṭha Devas. Their ruler is the Devarāja Maheśvara.
Above these are the First Ārūpya Devas, who are formless.
The Second Ārūpya Devas, who are formless.
The Third Ārūpya Devas, who are formless.
There are the Fourth Ārūpya Devas, who are formless.
Clusters of Worlds
Everything from the Suvarṇacakra up to the Bhavana of the First Dhyāna Devas is called the Caturdvīpaloka. This is encircled by Mt. Cakravāḍa which is 1 M in height and thickness.
When three Caturdvīpalokas are formed together in the shape of the Siddham letter “i”, their Mt. Cakravāḍas touch. Between the triangular spaces of these Caturdvīpalokas are the Lokāntara Narakas. In here it is completely dark for the light of the sun and moon are unable to reach it beyond the mountains. The beings inhabiting here are unable to see anything other than extreme darkness, and thus dwell within the ocean between the these lokas.
Ten thousand of these Caturdvīpalokas is called a Daśasahasraloka, it is also called a Lokadhātu, and is also called the Jātikṣetra. Only one Buddha can be born within these.
A thousand Jātikṣetras is called the Āṇākṣetra. This is the distance in which the Buddha’s authority extends.
A thousand Āṇākṣetras is called the Viśayakṣetra. This is the distance to which the Buddha’s knowledge extends and this encompasses the whole Dharmadhātu.
A thousand Lokadhātus is called a Sahasracūḍikalokadhātu which has the same height. This is encircled by a Mt. Cūḍacakravāḍa which is 1 M in height and thickness. This is the distance in which the authority of the Second Dhyāna Devas extend.
A thousand of these Sahasracūḍikalokadhātus is called a Dvisahasramadhyamalokadhātu which has the same height. This is encircled by a Mt. Madhyamacakravāḍa which is 2 M in height and thickness. This is the distance in which the authority of the Third Dhyāna Devas extend.
A thousand of these Dvisahasramadhyamalokadhātus is called a Trisahasramahāsahasralokadhātu which has the same height. This is encircled by a Mt. Mahācakravāḍa which is 3 M in height and thickness. This is the distance in which the authority of the Fourth Dhyāna Devas extend.
This Trisahasramahāsahasralokadhātu is also called the Ekābhaya Buddhakṣetra, and is also called the Sahā Buddhakṣetra.
Destruction and Formation of the Lokadhātu
In the south-west, at the bottom of the Mahāsāgara, there is a great underwater fire shaped like the head of a horse, called Vaḍavāmukha. After some time beings begin to be reborn within the higher realms and slowly the hells are emptied. At some time a Great Wind called Kālikā blows apart the ocean 1 M in height and width, and a sun palace that was within the ocean ascends from within and forms a second sun which is at the same height as the first. When this second sun appears, it dries up the springs while other bodies of water begin to decrease. In the same way, at some time a third sun appears and dries up the rivers. After some time a fourth sun appears and dries up the lakes. After some time a fifth sun appears and dries up the ocean. After some time a sixth sun appears and fills the lokadhātu with smoke. After some time a seventh sun appears and causes the lokadhātu to burn and the Avaḍavāmukha to spread and ascend up to the First Dhyana Heaven. Everything here is destroyed by the fire as the beings then inhabit the Second Dhyāna Heaven and above. After some time, great clouds of divine rain begin to form within the Dhyāna Heavens to fall which in turn form the lokadhātu anew, and beings slowly repopulate it. This is the destruction and reformation by fire.
After seven cycles of destruction and reformation by fire, great clouds of boiling ashen rain begin to form and completely cover everything up to and including the Second Dhyāna Heaven. This then begins raining down boiling ashen water for immeasurable periods of time up to hundreds of thousands of śatasahasra years. When it does so it dissolves everything below it including the Second Dhyāna Heaven. After some time, great clouds of divine rain begin to form again within the Dhyāna Heavens and fall which in turn form the lokadhātu anew, and beings slowly repopulate it. This is the destruction and reformation by water.
After seven cycles of destruction and reformation by water, a great wind called Saṃghāta arises within the Third Dhyāna Heaven and begin to blow about everything violently, destroying everything there and below. After some time, great blackened clouds of divine rain begin to form again within the Dhyāna Heavens and fall which in turn form the lokadhātu anew, and beings slowly repopulate it. This is the destruction and reformation by wind.
Smaller Features
Jambudvīpa
Jambudvīpa is 10,000 square yojanas in length. Only 3,000 yojanas is inhabited by humans. 6,000 yojanas is ocean. The 3,000 yojanas is the region of Mt. Himavān.
At the base of Mt. Himavān all the way at the north of the continent, there is the Great Jambu Tree which stands on the bank of the Sītā River, which itself flows from the top of Mt. Himavān. The circumference of the trunk of the Great Jambu Tree is 15 yojanas in measure. From the ground up to the lower branches, it is 50 yojanas in measure. From the branches to the top of the Great Jambu Tree, it is another 50 yojanas. Extending from east to west, the branches cover a distance of 100 yojanas. Extending from south to north, the branches cover a distance of 800,000 vyāmas. The total circumference of the branches covers 2,400,000 vyāmas in measure.
The blossoms of that Great Jambu Tree are exceedingly beautiful and they are of a extremely sweet fragrance. The fruits of the Great Jambu Tree are extremely large and their taste is as sweet as honey. Whenever its fruits fall, or whenever they are struck open, the fragrance is like a fragrant liquid of Candana Heartwood. Furthermore, one can bury one’s full arm into the fruit before reaching its pit. Furthermore, there are birds who eat those fruits and some of those birds are as large as Royal Elephants or as large as houses.
When those fruits do fall, they fall around the tree. And when they fall to the west, they fall into the Sītā River wherein schools of fish eat those fruits. When the sweet juice of those fruits flow within the river, it turns into pure, shining, and refined suvarṇa called “Jambūnadāsuvarṇa”.
The Great Jambu Tree Forest has many smaller groves which encircle it. The first is an Āmra Grove with large and extremely delicious fruits. Beyond that is a Harītakī Grove with fruits as sweet as honey. Beyond that is the Dense Jambu Grove with fruits as sweet as honey. These together add up to a width of 4,000 vyāmas in measure.
Beyond the Great Jambu Tree Forest is the Forest of Narīphala Trees. It is said that the fruits of these trees are extremely beautiful and resemble young maidens. Again, the narīphala trees are named so, for their fruits are as beautiful as maidens, and so men travel great distances to see them and once having them, they become filled with lust. However, when they seek to pick those fruits, the fruits show themselves to be illusions and so there is nothing there to consume. There are also naraphala trees which are the same except that their fruits look like men. This forest, beginning from the east reaches the Samudra River, and extending to the west, reaches the Seven Great Lakes. The full width from east to west is 100,000 vyāmas in measure.
Beyond that Samudra River, there are six forests. The first forest is the Kuru Forest. The second forest is the Kuruvana Forest. The third forest is the Mahāvideha Forest. The fourth forest is the Mana Forest. The fifth forest is the Sumana Forest. The sixth forest is the Tapanatāla Forest. The seventh forest is the Jayanta Forest. It is said that these forests are inhabited by many creatures. Whenever any fish or flesh-eating creatures die naturally, others eat them. These forests are also abundant in chāmaras, and the groups of people who live there use those chāmaras as thatching material for their houses.
In greater detail, the Great Jambu Tree is encircled by rows of groves of āmra trees, jambu trees, tāla trees, and nandi trees, each 50 yojanas in length and width.
Next the area is encircled by rows of groves of naraphala trees, narīphala trees, candana trees, ciñcana trees, each 50 yojanas in length and width.
Next the area is encircled by rows of groves of kaiśala trees, harītakī trees, amala trees, amrātaka trees, each are 50 yojanas in length and width.
Next the area is encircled by rows of groves of kadalī trees, bilva trees, panasa trees, dāḍima trees, each 50 yojanas in length and width.
Next the area is encircled by rows of groves of uva bushes, kapiṭṭha trees, uccha canes, venu bamboos, and mahāvenu bamboos, each 50 yojanas in length and width.
Next the area is encircled by rows of groves of tripusa reeds, kaśa cattails, kallahāra lilies, mahākallahāra lilies, kumbhāṇḍa gourds, each 50 yojanas in length and width.
Next the area is encircled by rows of groves of adhikumudaka blossom trees, campā blossom trees, pāṭala blossom tees, gulāba blossom trees, each fifty yojanas in length and width.
This is then bordered by empty land with green grass. Encircling this land are various puṣkariṇī ponds filled with uragas, each fifty yojanas in length and width, and this is then again bordered by empty land with green grass.
Next to this empty land is the Samudra River, also called Udanaka, with a width of 22 yojanas. It has the sevenfold structure and is filled with the fourfold lotus flowers. Within Udanaka are pradakṣina paths which rise up 12 yojanas from below, whenever a Cakravartin is born.
Beyond this river are the Forests called Kuru, and so on. The people who live within the Jayanta Forest do not need to farm for rice and grain for they spontaneously grow there without effort.
Within each Forest is a settlement also called the same names. Each settlement has a mountain, and these are the Seven Kīṭādri Mountains. These are called: Cūlakāla, Mahākāla, Udaka, Candrapārśva, Sūryapārśva, Suvarṇapārśva. These increase in height in order: 1 yojana, 2 yojanas, 3 yojana, all the way up to 7 yojanas. These all wrap around the next one in the list. On these mountains live Rsis: Sunetra, Subhadra, Laghu, Satapalasirsa, Gahana, Vardhana.
Mt. Udaka which is wellformed and beautiful. It is filled with trees of all species, with branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits. It has all kinds of species of animals.
Mt. Suvarṇapārśva is made of suvarṇa and beautiful to behold. It has 80,000 caves all inhabited with a six-tusked white elephant. These elephants have seven extremities which touch the ground, posses ṛddhibalas, have heads coloured like indragopa beetles, and their tusks are fine and sharp, with variegated colours, and adorned with suvarṇa.
Mt. Himavān is next and is 500 yojanas in height, and 3,000 yojanas in width and length. It has 84,000 kūṭa peaks.
This mountain has 500 rivers flowing out from it in all directions. It also has seven Great Lakes: Anavatapta, Karṇmuṇḍa, Rathakāra, Ṣaḍḍanta, Kuṇāla, Mandākinī, and Siṃhaprapāta. Each of these are 50 yojanas in length and width.
In the centre is Lake Anavatapta. Surrounding it are Five Mountain Peaks: Sudarśanakūṭa made of suvarṇa, Citrakūṭa made of every jewel, Kālakūṭa made of añjana, Gandhamādanakūṭa, Kailāśakūṭa made of rūpya. Each of these are 200 yojanas tall and
Mt. Sudarśanakūṭa inclines inwards towards the lake. It is 200 yojanas in height and has a width of 400,000 vyāmas. It is pīta-coloured.
Standing on each of the four corners, are the other four kūṭa mountains. They are all 200 yojanas in height and width.
On the northern quarter is Mt. Citrakūṭa which is made of the variegated jewels. It is citra-coloured. Next to it is Lake Karṇamuṇḍa, with a Great Nyagrodha Tree and Nyagrodha Tree Grove.
On the eastern quarter is Mt. Kālakūṭa which is made of añjana. It is nīla-coloured. Next to it is Lake Rathakāra and Lake Kuṇāla, with a Great Aśvattha Tree and Aśvattha Tree Grove.
On southern quarter is Mt. Gandhamādana which is made of musāragalva. It is lohita-coloured. Next to it is Lake Māndākinī and Lake Siṃhaprapāta, with a Great Śāla Tree and Śāla Tree Grove. The mountain is hollow within, resembling a māṣa bean. Various trees grow on it. Some have fragrant roots, heartwoods, shoots, bark, trunks, blossoms, fruits, leaves, and sap. All of these trees are medicinal. There are also vines and creepers which are filled with fragrant sap. Hence, due to such abundant fragrance, it is called Gandhamādana. The mountain also has a radiant fire which burns like a forest fire. The hollow part of the mountain acts as a guhā cave and is solely the bhavana of Pratyekabuddhas. At the entrance of the cave is a tree called the Great Sarvaratna Tree. This tree has a height of 6 yojanas and a width of 1 yojana. Water-born and land-born plants grow upon the surfaces of its leaves. When the Pratyekabuddhas go to dwell there, a great wind called the Sugandhavāta scatters the blossoms of the tree into the cave, which then encircles above the throne within the cave, acting as an offering to the Pratyekabuddhas. When the blossoms begin to wither, another wind called the Saṃcanavāta carries them away, while the Sugandhavāta returns as before.
On the western quarter is Mt. Kailāśakūṭa which is made of rūpya. It is śveta-coloured. Next to it is Lake Ṣaḍḍanta, with a Great Mañjuśaka Tree and Mañjuśaka Tree Grove. On the summit of this mountain is the citadel of the Kiṃnararāja Druma, the citadel is called Nirati.
Encircling Mt. Himavān is Mt. Suvarṇapārśva which is 7 yojanas in height and width, then Mt. Maṇipārśva which is 6 yojanas in height and width, then Mt. Sūryapārśva 5 yojanas in height and width, then Mt. Candrapārśva 4 yojanas in height and width, then Mt. Udaka 3 yojanas in height and width, then Mt. Mahākāla 2 yojanas in height and width, then Mt. Cūlakāla and is 1 yojanas in height and width.
Lake Anavatapta’s water flows out from four gates fashioned in the shape of four animal faces.
On the northern side is a suvarṇa lion’s face. The water flows outwards from its mouth as a waterfall, and in its channel, arcs to the right and exits westwards into the ocean. This is the River Sītā.
On the eastern side is a rūpya ox’s face. The water flows outwards from its mouth as a waterfall, and in its channel, arcs to the right and exits northwards into the ocean. This is the River Sindhu.
On the southern side is a vaiḍūrya horse’s face. The water flows outwards from its mouth as a waterfall, and in its channel arcs to the right and exist eastwards into the ocean. This is the River Vākṣu.
On the western side is a spaṭhika elephant’s face. The water flows outwards from its mouth as a waterfall, and in its channel, arcs to the right and travels southwards.
After travelling southwards for 60 yojanas, it hits a mountain which acts like a spout and spouts the River Gaṅga upwards which arcs for 60 yojanas before falling down again.
As it falls down it hits a ground of stone which has a puṣkariṇī lake called Lake Tiryārgala.
The River Gaṅga then travels through a channel for 60 yojanas before hitting Mt. Tiryāgala which has five openings creating the five great rivers.
The first great river is the River Yamunā, the second is the River Acirāvati, the third is the River Sarabhū, the fourth is the River Mahī, and the fifth is the River Gaṅga proper. These all exit southwards into the ocean.
South of Mt. Himavān is the kingdom of Vaiśālī.
South of this is the Kingdom of Rajagrha. It has five mountains around it: Mt. Mt. Vaibhāra in the northwest, Mt. Paṇḍava in the north, Mt. Vipula in the northeast, Mt. Gṛdhrakūṭa in the southeast, and Mt Ṛṣigiri in the southwest.
The Great Trees
At the base of Mt. Meru, on the level of the Karoṭapāni Yakṣas, is the Great Śālmalī Lake, it is 50 yojanas in width and length. This lake is surrounded by a forest of śālmalī trees, and the canopy of this forest is completely level. They are green, beautiful, and pleasing to the mind. That forest forms a dense thicket around the lake. Within the forest, on the south, is the Great Kūṭaśālmalī Tree which is equal in measure to the Great Jambu Tree in Jambudvīpa. Within this tree lives a Garuḍarāja who is 5 yojanas in length, with a beak 1 yojana in length, and wingspan of 70 yojanas. The tree is also inhabited by a Vrkṣadevatā also called Kūṭaśālmalī.
To the north of Jambudvīpa, there is the Great Jambu Tree. This tree is 100 yojanas in height and 100 yojanas in width. It has fruits which grow on each of its four sides. The eastern branches grow fruits which are eaten by the Retinue of Gandharvas. The southern branches grow fruits which are eaten by the Retinue of the Seven Mahāgrāmas: Kuru, Kuravana, Videha, Māna, Sumāna, Tapantala, and Jayanta. The western branches grow fruits which are eaten by the Retinue of Gandharvas. The zenith branches grow fruits which are eaten by the Retinue of Nakṣatra devatās. The nadir branches within the ocean grow fruits which are eaten by the Retinue of Makaras.
The Types of Lions
There are four kinds of siṃhakulas:
The first is the Tṛṇasiṃha.
The second is the Kālasiṃha.
The third is the Pāṇḍarasiṃha.
The fourth is the Keśarasiṃha.
The Types of Elephants
There are ten hastikulas:
The first is the Gocarahasti.
The second is the Kalāpahasti.
The third is the Gaṅgeyahasti.
The fourth is the Candrahasti or Piṅgalahasti.
The fifth is the Pārvateyahasti.
The sixth is the Haimavantahasti.
The seventh is the Tāmrahasti.
The eight is the Māndākinīhasti.
The ninth is the Upoṣadhahasti.
The tenth is the Ṣaḍḍantahasti.
The Types of Makaras
There are eight kinds of Makaras:
The first is the Timimakara who are 200 yojanas long.
The second is the Timiṅgalamakara who are 300 yojanas long.
The third is the Timipiṅgalamakara who are 400 yojanas long.
The fourth is the Timirapiṅgalamakara who are 500 yojanas long.
The fifth is the Ānandamakara who are 1,000 yojanas long.
The sixth is the Timinandamakara who are 1,000 yojanas long.
The seventh is the Ajanārohamakara who are 1,000 yojanas long.
The eight is the Mahātimimakara who are 1,000 yojanas long.
The Types of Garuḍas
There are four kinds of Garuḍakulas:
The first is the Jarāyuja.
The second is the Aṇḍayuja.
The third is the Saṃsvedayuja.
The fourth is the Aupapadukayuja.
The Types of Nāgas
There are four kinds of Nāgakulas:
The first is the Jarāyuja.
The second is the Aṇḍayuja.
The third is the Saṃsvedayuja.
The fourth is the Aupapadukayuja.
The Types of Gandharvas
The are nine kinds of Gandharvakulas:
The first are those born from Fragrant heartwoods,
The second, Fragrant softwood,
The third, Fragrant bark,
The fourth, Fragrant shoots,
The fifth, Fragrant leaves,
The sixth, Fragrant blossoms,
The seventh, Fragrant fruit,
The eight, Fragrant sap,
The ninth, Fragrant scents.
The Types of Kiṃnaras
There are seven kinds of Kiṃnaras:
The first is the Devakiṃnara.
The second is the Candrakiṃnara.
The third is the Kṛṣṇakiṃnara.
The fourth is the Śakunakiṃnara.
The fifth is the Karṇakiṃnara.
The seventh is the Prāvāraṇakiṃnara.
The Types of Devatās
There are manifold kinds of Devatās:
The first are the Bhūmyadevatā.
The second, Samudradevatā.
The third, Nadīdevatā.
The fourth, Vanadevatā.
The fifth, Aṭavīdevatā.
The sixth, Udyānadevatā.
The seventh, Ārāmadevatā.
The eighth, Palāśadevatā.
The ninth, Rūcādevatā.
The tenth, Kuśanāḍīdevatā.
The eleventh, Nagaradevatā.
The twelfth, Antargrāmadevatā.
And so on.
The Types of Avālākadevas
There are five kinds of Avālākadevas:
The first is the Cold-Cloud Deva.
The second is the Warm-Cloud Deva.
The third is the Storm-Cloud Deva.
The fourth is the Wind Deva.
The fifth is the Rain Deva.
Saddharmatā 