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Those that acquire birth in this Varsha have recourse to Svarga,
humanity and Naraka respectively, according as their Karma is White
(Satvic), Red (Rajasic) or Black (Tamasic). The People acquire Moksha
in this Varsha in accordance with their Varna (Caste). (This is
because Karma according to caste prevails in this Varsha, not that
Moksha is not otherwise attainable. Sridhata).
And what is moksha in this Varsha? It is the Companionship
of Mahatmas (Mahapurushas) brought about by the destruction of the
bonds of Avidya caused by various births. And that Moksha is in
reality unceasing, unselfish devotion to the All-pervading, Indestruc-
tible, Causeless Paramatma Vasudeva.
Even the Devas say: "How fortunate are these people of
Bharat Varsha! For Hari is kind to them, even without many per-
formances and they are so adapted for communion with Hari by
devotion. We have attained Svarga by the performance of Yajna.
But we shall have to be born again after the end of the Kalpa. What
good is in this state, which does not bring us in direct communion
with Vishnu? These people of Bharat Varsha even with their short
lives acquire the state of Hari. If there be any Karma left to us
after the enjoyment of Svarga may we be born as men that we may
worship Hari."
Some say there are eight upadvipas in Jambu Dvfpa, formed
by the sons of Sagara when they dug up this earth in search of the
sacrificial horse. They are Svarna Prastha, Chandra Sukla, Avar-
tana, Ramanaka, Manda-harina, Panchajanya, Sinhala and Louka.
THE DVfPAS.
SKANDHA V. CHAP. 20.
Plaksha Dvipa
Jambu Dvipa is surrounded by the salt ocean on all sides.
That ocean extends over Laksha Yojanas. That salt ocean is again
surrounded on all sides by Plaksha Dvipa, which extends over 2
laksha of Yojanas.
There is one golden Plaksha tree in that Dvipa as high as the
Jambu tree in Jambu Dvipa and the Dvipa itself takes its name from
that tree. There Fire is seven tongued,
Idhmajihva son of Priyavrata ruled over this Dvipa. He divided
the Dvipa into seven Varshas and named them after his seven sons
each of whom ruled over the Varsha of his name.
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