Dhritraashtra said - "O Sanjaya, You have described me Jamboo Khand. Tell me now its extent and dimensions - extent of the Shak Dweep, Kush Dweep, Shaalmali Dweep, and Kraunch Dweep; and of Raahu, Som (Moon), and Soorya (Sun)." Sanjaya spoke - "There are many islands over which the Earth is extended, But I will tell you only about seven islands, Raahu, the Sun, and the Moon.

O Raajan, Jamboo mountain extends over 18,600 Yojan (one Yojan = approx 9 miles). The Salt Ocean is said to be twice as this. This ocean is covered with many kingdoms and is adorned with gems and corals. There are many mountains and various kinds of metals are found here. This ocean is round and is thickly populated by Siddh and Chaaran. Shak Dweep is twice as big as Jamboo Dweep. And the ocean is also twice as big as the previous ocean. The people who live here are righteous and never die. Thus there is no famine.

In that island there are seven mountains full of jewels. The first mountain is Meru where live Devtaa, Rishi and Gandharv. The second mountain is Malaya Parvat stretching towards the east. Here the clouds are created and then they spread all around. The third mountain is Jaladhar. Here Indra takes water of the best quality and from here only we get our rains. Next (fourth) mountain is Raivatak mountain. Here the Revatee constellation is permanently placed upon. On the North of this is the fifth mountain called Shyaam. This mountain is very beautiful, bright and high. Because of its dark color people call it Shyaam." Dhritraashtra asked - "O Sanjaya, Are there people of dark color?" Sanjaya said - "O Dhritraashtra, On all islands there are people of dark color and fair. But here live people of only dark color that is why it is called Shyaam. After this, the sixth mountain is Durgshail. And the seventh mountain is Kesaree. Each of the subsequent mountain is double of its previous mountain in its size.

There are seven Varsh in that island. The Varsh of Meru is called Mahaakaash. And that of water-giving mountain Malay is called Kumudottar. The Varsh of Jaladhar is called Sukumaar; and the Varsh of Raivatak is called Kaumaar. The Varsh of Shyaam is called Manikanchan; and the Varsh of Kesaree is called Mandakee. The Varsh of Durgshail is called Mahaapuman.

In the midst of that island is a tree called Shak. It is equal to the tree of Jamboo Dweep in height and size. In the countries of this island people worship Shiv. Here live Siddh, Chaaran and celestials. The people here are virtuous and are of four Varn. There is no theft here and people are devoted to their profession. Gangaa flows here in several currents - Sukumaaree, Kumaaree, Seetaa, Kevarkaa, Mahaanadee, Manijal, and Chaakshush, and vardhaanikaa. There are many other rivers by hundreds and thosands. It is difficult to count their names but all are sacred and sin-cleansing.

In this island of Shak there are four provinces - Mrig, Mashak, Manas, and Mandag. In Mrig province live Braahman, Mashak province is for Kshatriya, Maanas is for Vaishya and Mandag is for Shoodra. In these provinces, there is no king, no crime, no punishment. All are engaged in their duties and protect one another.

Probably this mythical account of Shak Dweep resembles of vague tradition current in ancient India of some republic of eastern Asia or Oceanic Asia (further east in the Pacific). Hindu were accustomed to kingly form of government.

Vidur further said - "Now you listen to about the islands of north. In the north there is the ocean of clarified butter. Then is the ocean of yogurt. And next ocean is of wine. After that is the ocean of water. The islands are double in area of one another as they proceed further to the north and they are surrounded by these oceans. In the middle island there is a large mountain called Gooraa made of red arsenic. On the western island is the mountain called Krisn which is favorite of Naaraayan. Here Keshav guards celestial gems and with the help of those He bestows happiness on creatures.

Kush grass grows on the Kush Dweep. There is Shaalmali tree on Shaalmalikaa island. On Kraunch island is the mountain called Mahaa-Kraunch which is the mine of various kinds of gems. There is a mountain called Gomant, it is very huge and consists of all kinds of metals. Here Naaraayan lives always. There is another mountain on this Kush Dweep, called as Kush, which is full of corals. This mountain is inaccessible and is made of gold. There is a third mountain there called Sumeed. The sixth one is called Harigiri. These are the six mountains.

This description is a bit confusing. I could not get the correct one.

The space in between these mountains increases as double the previous one as they proceed further to north. The first Varsh is called Audhido, the second is Venumandal, the third one is Surath, the name of the fourth one is Kambal, the fifth one is Dhritmnat, and the sixth is named Prabhaakar, and the seventh Varsh is called Kapil. These are the seven Varsh where Gandharv, Devtaa and other creatures live. In all these Varsh the inhabitants never die. There are no robbers, and no Mlechchh there. All the residents are white in complexion and are very delicate.

About other islands - in Kraunch island there is a huge mountain named Kraunch. Next to Kraunch is Vaaman, and next to Vaaman is Andhakaar, and next to Andhakaar is wonderful Mainaak. After Mainaak is Govind, and after Govind is Nibid. The space between these mountains also increases as double the previous one as they proceed further. Now listen to their regions - the region near Kraunch is called Kushal, the region near Vaaman is called Manonoogaa. The region near Andhakaar is called Ushnaa. The region near Mainaak is Pravar region, and the region near Govind is Andhakaar region. And the region near Nibid is called Munidesh. And the region after Munidesh is called Dundubhiswan. Here live Siddh and Chaaran. The people here are of white in complexion. Devtaa and Gandharv live in all these countries.

In Pushkar Dweep is a mountain called Pushkar that has lots of jewels and gems. Here lives Parajaapati himself. All Devtaa and Rishi worship him with respect. Various kinds of gems are used here. In all these islands people live with Brahmcharya, self-control, and their life and health are doubled as the islands are more remote to north. The land in these islands is only one country only and one religion.

I don't understand what does Sanjaya mean by one religion. We have never heard of any other religion in our scriptures, we hear only about Mlechchh.

The Supreme Prajaapati always lives here and guards these islands. He is everything there - father, grandfather, the source of bliss. Cooked food comes there itself and creatures eat it daily.

After these regions is the region of Saam. It is of starry shape having four corners and 33 Mandal. Here live four elephants. The size of these elephants has never been ascertained. In those regions wind blows irregularly from all directions. These elephants breath from that air and when they let it out, it comes over Earth and the residents breath the same air.

Dhritraashtra said - "Hey Sanjaya, Now tell me what is remaining." Sanjaya said - "Now I tell you about Swarbhaanu - the heavenly body. The planet Swarbhaanu is circular. Its diameter is 12,000 Yojan, and its circumference is 42,000 Yojan. Moon's diameter is 11,000 Yojan and its circumference is 38,900 Yojan. The diameter of Sun is 10,000 Yojan, and its circumference is 35,800 Yojan. Planet Raahu is very huge envelopes both the Sun and the Moon in due times. I have told you about the construction of the world as described in Shaastra, therefore now you pacify your son.

Who listen to this description of the worlds, Kshatriya are blessed with prosperity and fulfillment of their desires. The king who listens to it on Full Moon day or New Moon day has long life and gets fame and energy. His ancestors are also satisfied. (Find a similar or different description of Lok in Bhaagvat Puraan 5/4).