Significance of Seven Continents in Spiritual World


All the revered Maha Puranas, comprising a total of 18 sacred texts, contain extensive references to the universe. Today, we delve into the mystical realms of the Vishnu Purana, where an enlightening conversation between Maitreya Rishi and Maharishi Parashara unfolds. Maitreya Rishi seeks Parashara's profound insights into the intricacies of planet Earth.

Maitreya: "Honorable Brahmana, you have graciously shared with me the divine tale of Svayambhuva, the self-born being. Now, I yearn to hear from you a captivating description of our beloved Earth. Please, enlighten me about the vastness of its oceans, the allure of its islands, the diversity of its kingdoms, the grandeur of its mountains, the enchantment of its forests and rivers, and even the celestial abodes of the gods. I long to know its dimensions, its essence, and its very form."

Parashara: "Maitreya, I shall provide you with a concise overview of our beloved Earth, for even a century would not suffice to encompass its entirety. The Earth consists of seven magnificent continents: Jambu, Plaksha, Shalmali, Kusa, Krauncha, Shaka, and Pushkra. Each continent is gracefully enveloped by its own surrounding body of water, forming seven majestic seas. These seas are known as the sea of saltwater (Lavana), the sea of sugarcane juice (Ikshu), the sea of wine (sura), the sea of clarified butter (sarpi), the sea of curds (Dadhi), the sea of milk (Dugdha), and the sea of freshwater (Jala)."



Geography of Seven Continents in Spirituality





Significance of India (Bharatvarsha) in Spiritual World


According to the renowned sage Maha Rishi Parashara, Jambu-dweepa holds a central position amidst all the continents, with the majestic golden mountain Meru situated at its very core. Meru stands an astonishing height of eighty-four thousand yojans, with a depth beneath the earth's surface of sixteen thousand yojans. Its summit boasts a diameter of thirty-two thousand yojans, while its base measures sixteen thousand yojans, resembling the seed-cup of the earthly lotus.

Bhadrashva, Bharatavarsha, Ketumala, and Uttarkuru are positioned to the east, south, west, and north of Meru, respectively. Describing these four lands, the Matsya Purana states:

The term Bhadrashva signifies the Auspicious Horse, which is held sacred in Chinese religion, folklore, and art. Thus, Bhadrashva corresponds to China. Bharatavarsha, also known as Haimavata Varsha, lies to the south of the Himalayas. Ketumla represents the region of the Vankshu River (Oxus) situated to the west of Meru. Uttarkuru encompasses the vast territory stretching from the Altai Mountain to the northern ocean.


Meru is said to possess a four-cornered structure, with a significant epithet being its resemblance to prajapati, the lord of creation. Each face of Meru holds symbolic meaning: the eastern face, representing Brahminical virtues, is white; the southern face, denoting Vaishyas, is yellow; the western face, representing Sudras, is black; and the northern face, denoting Kshatriyas, is red. The central region, where Meru itself resides, is known as Ilavrita.

Now, let us focus on 'Bharatavarsha' and explore why and how this country played a vital role in the development of the Vedanga Astrology. Quoting from the Vishnu Purana once again:

The land located north of the ocean and south of the snowy mountains is known as Bharata, as it was inhabited by the descendants of Bharata. Extending for nine thousand leagues, it is the land of Karma, whereby individuals either attain heavenly realms or attain liberation.


The glorification of Bharata encompasses four profound concepts:

Bharata is unparalleled among all countries on Earth. There is no land that can compare to the magnificence of Bharata.

Bharata surpasses even the celestial realm, as even the gods themselves aspire to be born in Bharata. Such is the exalted stature of this sacred land.

Bharata is the land of action, known as karma-bhoomi. It is a place where individuals engage in righteous deeds and fulfill their responsibilities.

All the consequences and outcomes of human life find their roots in the fertile soil of Bharata. It is here that the seeds of destiny are sown, giving rise to the manifold fruits of existence.

The idea that Bharata is the land of karma (action) and Svarga (heaven) is the land of enjoyment gained widespread recognition, with many prominent writers of that period directly referring to it:

It is said that Bharata is the land of karma, situated on this Earth. After obtaining a human body and possessing discernment and other qualities, one attains the status of a twice-born (Dvija). Even in Bharata Varsha, the land of karma is extremely rare to find. Brahma Purana, 27.2

In Bharata Varsha, there is no other land that serves as the field of action (karma-kshetra). Brahman itself attains the land of karma, not in any other world. Adhyatma Ramayana, 6.4.51

Bharata is the name of that land (Varsha) located in the southern region, which serves as the field of action. There is no attainment of results, whether virtuous or sinful, elsewhere. Know that this is the primary place where everything is established. Devi Bhagavata, 8.7.34

In Jambu Island, Bharata Varsha is renowned as a sacred pilgrimage site. It is known as the land of karma because of its purity. The devas (celestial beings) worship and venerate it since it is a land abundant in merit and demerit. Therefore, it is glorified by them. Markandeya Purana, 57.62

In Jambu Island, Bharata Varsha is the well-known sacred land. It is called a pilgrimage site because it is the field of karma. It is worshiped and honored due to its supreme importance, as it is the land of abundant merit. Markandeya Purana, 55, 21-22


The sages proclaimed Bharatavarsha as the land of karma (action), where individuals could attain karma-phala (fruits of their actions). Karma and its consequences, represented by karma-phala, fall under the domain of astrology. The sages who designated Bharata as the land of karma were also responsible for establishing rules to govern karma and its results. As a result, these sages developed the field of astrology.

Bharatavarsha, as the land of karma (action), was developed through the rigorous penance and chanting (japa) of numerous sages over several centuries. These highly intelligent and visionary individuals worked out a well-balanced and intricate system of cause and effect, encompassing both visible and invisible causes. They also devised a scheme of karmic compensation, wherein the consequences of good and evil actions were determined. The knowledge of how this scheme operates and how it can be applied is encapsulated in the Vedanga known as Astrology.

In this lesson, we have observed the following points: 

(a) The Vedas are our cultural heritage, and Astrology is one of the Vedangas. 

(b) The Avataras, divine incarnations, have manifested themselves to shape and guide human evolution, and they are also connected to our celestial bodies (planets). 

(c) The Puranas contain detailed information about the evolution of Astrology, which flourished in Bharatavarsha due to the following reasons: 

(i) Bharatavarsha is recognized as the land where the fruits of karma are obtained.

(ii) Special spiritual practices (tapa) were performed to establish it as the land of karma. 

(iii) The Vedanga Jyotisha delineates how actions (karma) should be performed in harmony with the physical and mental environment, and how these actions lead to their respective consequences (karma-phala).