Jambudvipaजम्बूद्वीप

THE WORLDS

About Jambudvipa

The land is imagined through a lotus-like form, with Ilavrita at its centre and other varshas arranged around it. Mountain ranges distinguish these regions, including Bharata in the south, Kuru in the north, Bhadrashva in the east and Ketumala in the west. These are parts of the account’s sacred world, not labels that can all be transferred directly onto a modern atlas.

Its name is associated with the great jambu tree on Merumandara. Enormous fruits yield the river Jambu-nadi, whose banks produce celebrated Jambunada gold. Trees, rivers and precious substances participate in the identity of this landscape rather than merely decorating a map.