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90
THE CENTRAL CONTINENT OF JAMBUDVIPA
preceding one.
The repetition of double is intended to indicate successive action, that is double the diameter of the previous one. The diameter of the first ocean (Lavanoda) is double that of the first continent. The length of the second continent is double that, and that of the second ocean is twice that of the second continent. Those which are of double the diameter are called of double diameter. It is mentioned that one surrounds the other, in order to show that these are not situated as villages and towns. The phrase "circular in shape' is intended to exclude the rectangular shape, the square, etc.
Now the position, shape and diameter of Jambūdvipa must be mentioned, as the dimensions of the rest are dependent upon these.
तन्मध्ये मेरुनाभिवृत्तो योजनशतसहस्रविष्कम्भो जम्बूद्वीपः ॥९॥ Tanmadhye merunābhirvrtlo yojanaśatasahasra- . viskambho jambūdvipah
(9) 9. In the middle of these oceans and continents is Jambūdvipa, which is round and which is one hundred thousand yojanas in diameter. Mount Meru is at the centre of this continent like the navel in the body.
In the middle of these means in the middle of the concentric oceans and continents mentioned already. That which is like the navel is the navel (central). Merunābhiḥ is that which has Meru in the middle. Vșita is like the disc of the sun.
That, which is one hundred thousand yojanas in length, is one hundred thousand yojanas long. Which is it? Jambūdvipa. How is it called Jambūdvipa? It is characterized by the jambū tree. In the middle of Uttarakuru there is the jambū tree, beginningless, made of earth, uncreated and surrounded by its satellites. This dvīpa is marked by this tree.
What are the seven divisions of Jambūdvipa separated by the six mountain chains ?
भरतहैमवतहरिविदेहरम्यकहैरण्यवतैरावतवर्षाः क्षेत्राणि ॥१०॥ Bharatahaimavataharivideharamyakahaira .
nyavatairāvatavarşāḥ kṣetrāni (10)
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