https://tinyurl.com/y8d5hmpu
Ancient World Map System in Purāṇas
-Arun Kumar Upadhyay, Bhubaneswar
Abstract-Map was called Māpa or Parilekha. It needed latitude, longitude, direction which was measured with Nakṣatra, so it was called Nakshā, popular term. World map was in 2 systems-(1) Quadrant system with 4 parts each in north and south hemispheres. (2) Dvīpa system-7 Dvīpas (continents) and oceans. There were 2 systems of reference points-(1) 60 time zones separated by 1 Daṇḍa or 6 degrees longitude with zero point at Lankā. Zonal points or additional points were also called Lankā. (2) Merus in space, on earth for quadrants and continents and additional local references. At least 50 places named Lankā and Meru still remain with same name.
1. Ancient mapping-Basic methods of mapping are given in texts of astronomy starting with Sūrya-siddhānta. This is called Tri-praśna-adhikāra, i.e. Chapter on 3 problems-Latitude, longitude, direction. On that basis, shapes of continents, countries are given and cardinal towns separated by 90 degree longitude are indicated in all purāṇas and texts of astronomy. Actual maps have been called Parilekha or Māpa (measure). For latitude etc, Nakṣatra (stars) are to be observed; so maps are popularly called Naksha. Manu-smṛti (8/245-265), Artha-śāstra of Kauṭilya (chapter 3/9) indicate fixing boundaries of villages. Signs of border were called Sīmā-linga (Manu-smṛti, 8/249, 254) which has become Sīmālī in revenue maps.
2. Quadrant system-Earth has been described in 2 ways, it has been called a lotus of 4 petals (in north), or descriptions of Dvīpas (continents) with oceans as boundaries. First, the quadrant system is described. In north part of earth, 4 petals are called Bhārata, Bhadrāśva in east, Ketumāla in west and Kuru on opposite direction.
(विष्णु पुराण २/२)-भद्राश्वं पूर्वतो मेरोः केतुमालं च पश्चिमे। वर्षे द्वे तु मुनिश्रेष्ठ तयोर्मध्यमिलावृतः।२४।
भारताः केतुमालाश्च भद्राश्वाः कुरवस्तथा। पत्राणि लोकपद्मस्य मर्यादाशैलबाह्यतः।४०।
There were 2 sets of cardinal points, one in Purāṇas starting with Brahmā (Svāyanbhuva Manu) and the other of Sūrya-siddhānta, starting with Vivasvān, father of Vaivasvata Manu. This is followed by all astronomy texts.
(1) Brahmā system (29102 BC) in purāṇas.
(2) Vaivasvata Manu system (13902 BC) in Sūrya-siddhānta by Vivasvān (Sun).
Ref. East (+900) West (-900) Opposite (+1800, or-)
Amarāvatī Sukhā Sanyamanī Vibhāvarī
(Indra) (Varuṇa) (Yama) (Soma)
2. Ujjain (Lankā) Yamakoṭipattan Romakapattana Siddhapura
(Bhārata) (Ketumāla) (Bhadrāśva) (Uttara-Kuru)
विष्णु पुराण (२/८)-मानसोत्तरशैलस्य पूर्वतो वासवी पुरी।
दक्षिणे तु यमस्यान्या प्रतीच्यां वारुणस्य च। उत्तरेण च सोमस्य तासां नामानि मे शृणु॥८॥
वस्वौकसारा शक्रस्य याम्या संयमनी तथा। पुरी सुखा जलेशस्य सोमस्य च विभावरी।९।
शक्रादीनां पुरे तिष्ठन् स्पृशत्येष पुरत्रयम्। विकोणौ द्वौ विकोणस्थस्त्रीन् कोणान्द्वे पुरे तथा।॥१६॥
उदितो वर्द्धमानाभिरामध्याह्नात्तपन् रविः। ततः परं ह्रसन्तीभिर्गोभिरस्तं नियच्छति॥१७॥
(सूर्य सिद्धान्त १२/३८-४२)-भूवृत्तपादे पूर्वस्यां यमकोटीति विश्रुता। भद्राश्ववर्षे नगरी स्वर्णप्राकारतोरणा॥३८॥
याम्यायां भारते वर्षे लङ्का तद्वन् महापुरी। पश्चिमे केतुमालाख्ये रोमकाख्या प्रकीर्तिता॥३९॥
उदक् सिद्धपुरी नाम कुरुवर्षे प्रकीर्तिता (४०) भूवृत्तपादविवरास्ताश्चान्योन्यं प्रतिष्ठिता (४१)
तासामुपरिगो याति विषुवस्थो दिवाकरः। न तासु विषुवच्छाया नाक्षस्योन्नतिरिष्यते ॥४२॥
These, references could be linked. Lankā (Ujjain on same meridian) is centre of Bhārata quadrant with its 2 ends Amarāvatī in east and Sanyamanī on west at difference of 45 degrees. Similarly, Ketumāla boundaries in east west are Sanyamanī and Vibhāvarī in west with Romakapattana in centre. Kuru varṣa in bound by Vibhāvarī in east, Sukhā in west and Siddhapura in centre. Bhadrāśva is bound by Amarāvatī in west, Sukhā in east and Yamakoṭi pattana in centre. Towns of Indra and Garuḍa are described in east part of Indonesia in Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Kiṣkindhā Kāṇḍa (40/39, 53). Indra had erected a Tri-śirā ketu (Pyramid) to mark east end of Bhārata part.
(आर्यभटीय ४/११-१४)-मेरुर्योजनमात्रः प्रभाकरो हिमवता परिक्षिप्तः। नन्दनवनस्य मध्ये रत्नमयः सर्वतो वृत्तः॥११॥
स्वर्मेरु स्थलमध्ये नरको बडवामुखं च जलमध्ये। अमरमरा मन्यन्ते परस्परमधः स्थितान् नियतान् ॥१२॥
Local references in each continent, countries-local Merus,
North Hemisphere-4 quadrants in 4 colours = 4 colours of Sumeru faces.
Similarly, 4 quadrants in south= Total 8 petals of earth,
मत्स्य पुराण,अध्याय ११३-चातुर्वर्ण्यस्तु सौवर्णो मेरुश्चोल्बमयः स्मृतः।१२।
नाभी बन्धन सम्भूतो ब्रह्मणो ऽव्यक्त जन्मनः। पूर्वतः श्वेत वर्णस्तु ब्राह्मण्यं तस्य तेन वै।१४।
पीतश्च दक्षिणेनासौ तेन वैश्यत्वमिष्यते। भृङ्गिपत्र-निभश्चैव पश्चिमेन समन्वितः।
पार्श्वमुत्तरतस्तस्य रक्त वर्णं स्वभावतः। तेनास्य क्षत्र भावः स्यादिति वर्णाः प्रकीर्तिताः।१६।
मध्ये त्विलावृतं नाम महामेरोः समन्ततः।१९।
मध्ये तस्य महामेरुर्विधूम इव पावकः। वेद्यर्थं दक्षिणं मेरोरुत्तरार्धं तथोत्तरम्।२०।
ब्रह्माण्ड पुराण, अध्याय (१/२/१५)-
Bhārata petal in north-divided into 3 or 7 lokas like lokas in space.
ब्रह्माण्ड पुराण उपसंहार पाद, अध्याय २ (३/४/२)-
लोकाख्यानि तु यानि स्युर्येषां तिष्ठन्ति मानवाः॥८॥ भूरादयस्तु सत्यान्ताः सप्तलोकाः कृतास्त्विह॥९॥
पृथिवीचान्तरिक्षं च दिव्यं यच्च महत् स्मृतम्। स्थानान्येतानि चत्वारि स्मृतान्यावर्णकानि च॥११॥
जनस्तपश्च सत्यं च स्थान्यान्येतानि त्रीणि तु। एकान्तिकानि तानि स्युस्तिष्ठंतीहाप्रसंयमात्॥१३॥
भूर्लोकः प्रथमस्तेषां द्वितीयस्तु भुवः स्मृतः।१४॥
स्वस्तृतीयस्तु विज्ञेयश्चतुर्थो वै महः स्मृतः जनस्तु पञ्चमो लोकस्तपः षष्ठो विभाव्यते॥१५॥
सत्यस्तु सप्तमो लोको निरालोकस्ततः परम्।१६। महेति व्याहृतेनैव महर्लोकस्ततोऽभवत्॥२१॥
यामादयो गणाः सर्वे महर्लोक निवासिनः।५१॥
(वायु पुराण, अध्याय १०१)-महेति व्याहृतेनैवं महर्लोकस्ततोऽभवत्।
विनिवृत्ताधिकाराणां देवानां तत्र वै क्षयः॥२३॥ यामादयो गणाः सर्वे महर्लोकनिवासिनः॥५२॥
Trilokī of Indra-(1) Bhārata, (2) Chīna, (2) Ṛṣīka (Russia) with Śivira (Siberia), Nivāta-kavacha (very cold region needing wind-cheaters).
Each are divided into 3 parts, middle parts come in parts of both sides, so there are 7 lokas in Deva-part (Bhārata petal of north hemisphere)-
(1) Bhū-Equator to Vindhya
(2) Bhuvah-Vindhya to Himālaya-called Madhya deśa (Madhes in Nepal, Medes in Bible, another Medes north-west of Iran)-King of Ayodhyā has been called king of middle loka-अन्वग्ययौ मध्यम लोकपालः (रघुवंश २/१६)
(3) Svah (Svarga)-Himālaya region in Bhārata is divided into 3 Viṣṭapa or Viṭapa (Tree, catchment area of river)-(a) Viṣṇu-viṭapa in west is drained by Sindhu river system-place of Vaiṣṇo Devī. Lakṣmī is daughter of Sindhu & wife of Viṣṇu. This region Kashmir is heaven on earth. (b) Śiva-viṭapa is region around Kailāsa-Mānasarovara drained by Gangā system-from hairs of Śiva. (c) Brahma-viṭapa is drained by Brahmaputra and land east of that is Brahma-deśa (now Myammar = Mahā + Amara, or head among Devas). 3 Vitapas combined are Triviṣṭapa = svarga (Tibet). Region between Brahma-deśa and and south India is Ka-maṇḍala (ka = water, Bay of Bengal) in which Ganga merges.
(4) Mahar-China is next part called Mahar as its people were called Mahā (Han) by Brahmā.
(5) Jana-Mangolia is Janah loka-In space Janahloka is galaxy which is final destination of soul-ध्रुवादूर्ध्वं महर्लोको यत्र ते कल्पवासिनः । एकयोजनकोटिस्तु यत्र ते कल्पवासिनः॥१२॥
द्वे कोटी तु जनो लोको यत्र ते ब्रह्मणः सुताः। सनन्दनाद्याः प्रथिता मैत्रेयामलचेतसः॥१३॥(विष्णु पुराण २/७)
In Arabic, mukul = preta = pra +itah (soul which has departed from body). Parallel to place of Mukul on earth is Mukul = Mangolia.
(6) Tapah loka-Ṛṣīka deśa where Arjun had stopped his northward conquest. Śivira (Siberia-temporary tents in snow), Nivāta-kavacha (very cold place, wind cheaters used).Tapas has become Steppes.
(7) Satya loka-Polar circle-north boundary of Jambū-dvīpa is bow shaped like north boundary of Bhārata, which is Himālaya-
भारतं प्रथमं वर्षं ततः किम्पुरुषं स्मृतम्।.. उत्तराः कुरवश्चैव यथा वै भारतं तथा॥(विष्णु पुराण २/२/१३-१४)
In space, average energy or temperature oh higher (bigger) lokas is successively lower. In Indra region also, lokas to north are colder.
Other 7 petals (3 in north, 4 in south) are 7 Tala (or Pātāla), named differently in purāṇas-
Viṣṇu-Atala, Vitala, Nitala, Gabhastimat, Mahātala, Sutala, Pātāla.
Brahmāṇḍa-Tatvala, Sutala, Talātala, Atala, Tala, Rasātala, Pātāla.
Bhāgavata-Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talātala, Mahātala, Rasātala, Pātāla.
विष्णु पुराण (२/५)-दशसाहस्रमेकैकं पातालं मुनिसत्तम।
अतलं वितलं चैव नितलं च गभस्तिमत्। महाख्यं सुतलं चाग्र्यं पातालं चापि सप्तमम्॥२॥
Plane projection of earth map will have infinite scale in polar region. That is not a problem for north hemisphere where north pole is in water. But south pole is land mass, whose scale will be infinite, so it is called Ananta and its map has to be made separately.
विष्णु पुराण (२/५)-पातालानामधश्चास्ते विष्णोर्या तामसी तनुः। शेषाख्या यद्गुणान्वक्तुं न शक्ता दैत्यदानवाः॥१३॥
योऽनन्तः पठ्यते सिद्धैर्देवो देवर्षि पूजितः। स सहस्रशिरा व्यक्तस्वस्तिकामलभूषणः॥१४॥
In north hemisphere-West of Bhārata quadrant is Atala (Italy in that part). Ocean west of Atala is Atalāntaka. Assumption of Atlantis continent in ancient times. West of Atala quadrant is Pātāla (mostly north America). East of Bhārata quadrant is Sutala (su is near Sumeru-north pole). South of Bhārata is Tala or Mahātala. Both were called Kumārikā Khaṇḍa. Even now, it is called Indian ocean. There is assumption that Kumārika khaṇḍa was a large land mass in Indian ocean, but there is no description about it. Some small islands submerged in which Kabāta, ancient capital of Pāṇḍya kingdom was located (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Kiṣkindhā kāṇḍa, 41/19). West of Tala was Talātala (below or south of Atala which was ruled by Prahlāda, Tāraka Asura and Tripura (Tripoli of Libya)-Brahmāṇḍa purāṇa, chapter (1/2/20). South of Pātāla was Rasātala ruled by Hiraṇyākṣa, Vāsuki Nāga (same chapter). South of Sutala was Vitala(south Pacific).
3. Continent System-This is actual continents (Dvīpa) existing on earth. Circular zones formed around earth by planets up to Uranus have also been named after continents on earth. The Dvīpas of planetary system are circular (gravitational field of earth) or ring shaped and are much larger than earth. Obviously, Puṣkara dvīpa as a ring of 16 crore yojana width cannot exist on earth of 1000 yojana diameter (yojana is 1000 part of earth diameter at equator). No continent on earth has any geometrical shape. Here, Jambū dvīpa is the largest, whereas Jambū dvīpa among planet orbits is smallest. Compilers of purāṇas after Mahābhārata did not understand difference between 2 sets of Dvīpas and have mixed up both descriptions.
7 Continents and Ananta Dvīpa (Antarctica) are on 8 continental plates, called 8 Gaja (elephants). General spread of land mass is called Gaja-pṛṣṭha (elephant surface), hard rocks among them are Kūrma-pṛṣṭha (tortoise shell)-(Devī Bhāgavata purāṇa, 8/14/10, Brahmāṇḍa purāṇa, 2/3/7/292, Bhaviṣya purāṇa, 3/4/17/51, Bhāgavata purāṇa, 5/20/39, Vāyu purāṇa, 69/215, Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, 1/40/13).
Dvīpa is generally called land surrounded on all sides by ocean. But 7 dvīpas of purāṇas are not necessarily separated by oceans, they can be separated by mountains, desert or just divided by equator. Smaller islands have been called Upa-dvīpa or sometimes Dvīpa only. Some of these also are not surrounded by oceans.
7 continents are divided into natural land masses by mountains called Varṣa parvata. Varṣā means rain. From start of one rainy season to another is Varṣa (year). Natural land having a single rain system (monsoon) is also Varṣa, e.g. Bhārata-varṣa. Each Varṣa (country) is separated into natural zones (janapadas) by mountains called Kula-parvata. Major rivers also are boundaries. Continents are-
(1) Jambū-dvīpa is obviously Asia as it contains Bhārata-varṣa or Himavat-varṣa (separated by Himālaya.
(2) Śaka dvīpa-Australia, south east of India (Mahābhārata, 12/14/21-25). Vāyupurāṇa (48/14-17) calls it Anga-dvīpa with Chakra-giri (semi-circular mountain in east). Matsya purāṇa (122/17-18) tells that Agni (fire) is always radiant here. So, this direction is called Agni-koṇa and given similar sounding name Anga dvīpa. Here, main mountains, countries, rivers as per Viṣṇu purāṇa (2/4/60-66), Matsya purāṇa (122/6-34) are-
Countries-Jalada, Kumāra, Sukumāra, Marīchaka, Kusumoda, Maudaki, Mahādruma.
Mountains-Udayāchala, Jalādhāra, Raivataka, Śyāma, Astāchala, Āmbikeya, Kesarī.
Main rivers-Sukumārī, Kumārī, Nalinī, Dhenukā, Ikṣu, Veṇukā, Gabhasti. Gabhasti could be in Papua-New Guinea as Gabhastimān is counted as one of 9 parts of Bhārata-varṣa also (Matsya purāṇa, 114/7-9, Viṣṇu purāṇa, 2/3/6-7). It is called Śakadvīpa as it has many varieties of Śaka (pillar shaped) trees-300 varieties of Eucalyptus. Papua is actually east end of Asia continental shelf. It being border of Jambū and Śaka dvīpa, it could not develop a single language without central rule and had 1000 languages out of which more than 500 still survive.
There is a Śaka country (Janapada) in north-west part of Bhārata (Matsya purāṇa, 114/41) where it is listed with Bāhlika (Balkha), Vāṭadhāna, Ābhīra, Kālatoyaka, Purandhra, Śūdra, Pallava, Āttakhaṇḍika, Gāndhāra (Kandhar), Yavana, Sindhu (Sindha), Sauvīra, Madraka, Śaka, Druhya, Pulinda, Pārada, Āhāramūrtika, Rāmaṭha, Kaṇṭakāra, Kaikeya, Daśanāmaka-as colonies of Kṣatriyas. Other countries there are-Kamboja, Darada, Barbara, Pahlava, Ātreya, Bharadvāja, Kaseraka, Lampaka, Talagāna, Jāngala.
(3) Kuśa Dvīpa-This is Africa, north of equator. This is full of desert shrubs called kuśa, so this is called Kuśa dvīpa. Ancient Egypt and Ethiopia were called Kush. There is a mount Meru (now called Kilimanjaro) and many places called Meru on equator which is dividing line.
Countries of Kuśa-Udbhid, Veṇumān, Vairatha, Lambana, Dhṛti, Prabhākara, Kapila.
Boundary mountains-Vidruma (without any tree), Hemaśaila (golden or with ice), Dyutimān, Puṣpavān, Kuśeśaya, Hari, Mandarāchala.
Main rivers-Dhūtapāpā, Śivā, Pavitrā, Sammati, Vidyut, Ambhā, Mahī (Viṣṇu purāṇa, 2/4/36-43)
(4) ŚālmaliDvīpa-This is Africa, south of equator and adjacent Madagaskar (Malgasy). Madagaskar has been called Hariṇa dvīpa by Arabs (Geography of Puranas-Muzaffar Ali, page 182) and Śankha Dvīpa was called Zeng (Zanjibar on east coast). It has been listed with Kuśa dvīpa in Vāyu purāṇa (48/14). Apāntaratamā had gone there for Tapa (Garga Samhitā, 7/40/35). Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa (1/22/17) tells that he was called Apāntaratamā as he had gone far away into sea (ap = water, antaratama = deep). This has the same south latitude (12-26) as between Mṛgaśirā and Mṛgavyādha stars in sky.
Countries-Harita, Jīmūta, Rohita, Vaidyut, Mānasa, Suprabha.
Varṣsaparvata-Kumuda, Unnata, Balāhaka, Droṇāchala, Kanka, Mahiṣa, Kakudmān.
Main rivers-Yoni, Toyā, Vitṛṣṇā, Chandrā, Muktā, Vimochinī, Nivṛti.
(Viṣṇu purāṇa, 2/4/23-28)
(5) Krauñcha Dvīpa-Mahābhārata (12/14/21-25, 16/25) tells it west of Meru. Bṛhat Samhitā (14/24) and Rāmāyaṇa (4/43/28) tell it in north. This is north America. This continent and its main mountain Rockies-both are in shape of flying bird. So, both were called Krauñcha (Heron bird)-
क्रौञ्चद्वीपे गिरिः क्रौञ्चस्तस्य नाम्ना निगद्यते (मत्स्य पुराण, १२३/३७)
Varṣa-Kuśala, Mandaga, Usna, Pivara, Andhakaraka, Muni, Dundubhi.
Varsa parvata-Krauncha, Vamana, Andhakaraka, Svahini (shape like horse mouth), Divāvṛt, Puṇḍarīkavān, Dundubhi.
Main rivers-Gaurī, Kumudvatī, Sandhyā, Rātri, Manojavā, Kṣānti, Puṇḍarīka.
(Viṣṇu purāṇa, 2/4/48-55)
Matsya purāṇa (122/79-88) names mountains as-Devana, Govinda, Krauñcha, Pāvanaka, Andhakāraka. Their Varṣa are-Kuśala of Krauñcha, Manonuga of Vāmana. Then Uṣṇa, Pāvanaka, Munideśa, Dundubhisvana. 7 types of Gangā river are-Gaurī, Kumudvatī, Sandhyā, Rātri, Manojavāa, Khyāti, Puṇḍarīka.
(6) Plakṣa Dvīpa-This is Europe whose south part is full of Plakṣa trees (Pakar in Hindi, Fig varieties). North part has icy land and ocean, so Varāha, Matsya purāṇas call it Gomeda (white jewel) dvīpa. गोमेदके तु गोमेदः पर्वतस्तेन उच्यते (मत्स्य पुराण, १२३/३८)
Varṣa-Śāntahaya, Śiśira, Sukhodaya, Ānanda, Śiva, Kṣemaka, Dhruva.
Varṣa parvata-Gomeda (Alps), Chandra, Nārada, Dundubhi, Somaka, Sumana, Vaibhrāja.
Main rivers-Anutaptā, Śikhī, Vipāśā, Tridivā, Aklamā, Sukṛtā.
(Viṣṇu purāṇa, 2/4/5-11)
(7) Puṣkara Dvīpa-This is south America which is opposite on globe to Puṣkara (12 Degree west of Ujjain-Viṣṇu purāṇa, 2/8/28, 34 Deg north-Bukhara now in Uzbekistan)-
न्यग्रोधः पुष्करद्वीपे पद्मवत् तेन स स्मृतः (मत्स्य पुराण, १२३/३९)
It is divided into 2 parts by Andes mountain from north to south end. West part is very dry and east parts has largest river basin of Amazon. This part is Rasātala. North part of Andes is semi-circular, called Mānasa mountain (in shapeof back of head). Its branch mountain is called Mahāviṭ as son of Mānasa.
There are 2 countries-Mahāvīra Khaṇḍa, Dhātaki Khaṇḍa. Dhātaki Khaṇḍa is plains of Brazil, Argentina. Mahāvīra Khaṇḍa is ring shaped part of north and west upto south end of Chile.
There is only one main mountain-Mānasottara, ring shaped in middle.
(Viṣṇu purāṇa, 2/4/74-90)
4. Time zones-Indian time measures were parallel to angle measure. Solar year has about 360 days (round number) which is full revolution of earth or revolution of as seen from earth. So, circle is divided into 360 amśa (degrees). Amśa is divided into 60 kalā (or Liptā), 1 kalā into 60 vikalā (or Viliptā), and further divisions by 60. Similarly, solar day is divided into 60 daṇḍa, each daṇḍa into 60 pala, 1 pala = 60 vipala, etc. Thus, approximate parallel is-
1 amśa motion of sun = 1 day
1 kalā motion = 1 daṇḍa
1 vikalā motion = 1 pala
1 prati-vikalā motion = 1 vipala, etc.
Similarly, earth rotates around its axis in 1 day, so time zones are also at intervals of 1 daṇḍa (24 minutes), making 60 time zones in all.
List of surviving time zones-
(1) Lankā, of places of time (Kāla). Central place of time was Mahā-kāla (Great time) in Ujjain, whose central point appears to be point on prime meridian. There are many important cities near this longitude line-Sthāṇvīśvara (Thaneswar), Kālapriya (Kalapi), Rohitaka (Haryana), Meru peak in Himalaya. Northernmost city was called Uttara-Kuru, now called Omsk (Om as longitude measurement starts from this line)
(2) East 1-Narasapur (16026'N, 87058'E)-One centre for Calender making.
Prayag Ghat (25027'N, 81053'E)-Yajña of Pururavā.
Raj-mahendri (1700'E, 81048'E)-Many villages named Lanka in Godavari islands, where army of Sri Ram assembled for attack on Lanka. Its officers have Lanka title.
Lolārka in Vārāṇasī (25019'N, 82069'E). It was a reference mentioned in Pañcha-siddhāntikā of Varāhamihira (3/13). Jaisingh made an observatory in 1737, called Jantar-mantar. There is a place called Sigra here as the original palace of Rāvaṇa in Lanka was called Sigiria.
(3) East 2-Tamralipti (22018'N, 87058'E), Konark (19053'N, 8606'E)-Place of sun, pillar was slightly east in sea.जयन्ति ये रणे शत्रूंस्तैः कार्यः स्तम्भ चिह्नकः। तस्मात्तव जयोद्द्योत निमित्तं स्तम्भमुत्तमम्॥
(स्कन्द पुराण, माहेश्वर खण्ड, कुमारिका खण्ड, ३५/३)
(4) East 3-Viṣṇupur in Manipur (24038'N, 93036'E)
(5) East 4-Phu Langka (Thailand, 19027'N, 100025'E), Langkawi (island near Malaysia coast, 6021'N, 99048'E), Langkat (Sumatra, Indonesia, 3045'N, 98028'E)
(6) East 5-Vat Langka-Temple in Cambodia capital 11034N, 104056'E,
Baikal pyramid mountain near port, 51052'13"N, 104048'33"E
Sumeru of China-Mount Sumeru Caves (Xūmíshānshíkū)-36°16′30″ N, 105°59′6″E
(7) East 6-Sumeru of Java-8°6′28.8″S 112°55′12.0″E
(8) East 10-Ancient capital of Japan-Kyoto-35°1'15.85"N, 135°45'13.86"E, place of sun.
Nokhodka Pyramids, near Vladivostok 42050'N, 132054'E
(9) East 17-Meru creek (north Fiji)-16033' S,179054’ E
West zones-
(1) W 1-Bhuj (Kacchha in Gujrat) 23015'N, 69049'E, Porbandar (21037'N, 69049' E)
(2) W 2-Puṣkara of Brahmā (Viṣṇu purāṇa, 2/8/42)
(3) W 6-Mecca (Makha = Yajna) 21025'21"N, 39049'34"E. On old tropic of Cancer-Madina (24028'15"N, 39036'44"E)
(4) W 7-Ancient ruins near Riga (Latavia-place for study of Ṛgveda)-56056'56"N, 2406'23"E. Ancient pillars of Kintu Aka 56044'37"N, 21024'4"E
Twin pyramids near Murmansk, Kola Peninsula in north west Russia. Near it there are large Chakra-vyuha shapes in Kandalaksha. Kandala = tubers, war. Aksa = eye, wheel axis. Kandalaksa = Chakravyuha. Kandla port in Gujrat has similar name.
https://www.look4ward.co.uk/archeology/baffling-puzzle-prehistoric-russia-s-labyrinths/
https://newsinstact.com/earth/pyramids-discovered-in-russia-twice-as-old-as-the-egyptian-ones/
(5) Half quadrant 450 west-Pyramid of Giza, Ezypt-29058'20"N, 3107'31"E.
Ancient pillars of Zimbabwe-Masvingo (20016'S, 30056'E).
(6) W 8-Izmir (Turkey), Mir = Meru 38024'46"N, 2708'18"E.
Dardanelles (= Daurhṛda, land between 2 seas-Durgā Saptaśatī, 8/6) in Turkey. Old name was Hellespont (Helios = Sun in Greek)-40012'0"N, 26024'0"E.
Odessos or Odessus near Varna, Bulgaria, ancient pillars (43°13′N, 27°55′E)
(7) W 9-Talsi Pyramid in Latvia, 57014'40"N, 22035'12"E,
Hellinikon pyramid in Greece, 37053'54"N, 23043'46"E
(8) W 10-Conakry in Guinea, west Africa coast (like Konark of Odisha), 9030'33"N,13042'44"E.
Lankau (Germany) 53040'9"N, 10040'1"E.
(9) 750 west-Lourdes (France, Rudreśa) 4306'N, 003'E.
(10) W 13- Langan (France) 48°14′43″N 1°51′08″W.
Lancashire (Britain), 53048'0"N, 2036'0"W. Near to it are Stonehenge (Britain) ancient circles 51010'30"N, 1049'21"W, Silbury mount (Pyramid) 51024'55.55"N, 1051’27.3”W.
(11) W 14-Ardgroom Stone Circle, County Cork, Ireland, 51044'23"N, 9053'38"W
W 23-Churún Merú, Venezuela, 5057'N, 62030'W
(12) W 26-Cuzco or Cuzco in Peru, ancient Inca capital, Sacsay huamán ruins,13°31′30″S, 71°58′20″W
(13) W 27-Monk Pyramid (Madison, Ilinois, USA), 38039'38.4"N, 89048'38.98"W
Calakmul or Kalakmul pyramid in Yucatan, Mexico, 1806'19.41"N, 89048'38.98"W (Kālaka Asuras fought under Mahiṣa asura of Pātāla (north America)-Durgā saptaśatī (8/6, 26)
(14) W 29-Pyramid of sun Teotihuacan, Mexico19°41' 33.00" N, 98°50'37.68"W
(15) W 30-Guachimontones pyramid near Teuchitlán town of Mexico, west of Guadalajara, 20°41′41.68″N, 103°50′9.93″W
This is end of east direction (or of west direction) from Ujjain. As per Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Kiṣkindhākāṇḍa, (40/64), Brahmā had made a Dvāra (gate) to mark the end of east direction. Brahmā is called first among gods (Muṇḍaka upaniṣad, 1/1/1). Old Mexican name of this is also translated as pyramid of first god.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guachimontones
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/mexicolife/western-mexicos-circular-pyramids/
ब्रह्मा देवानां प्रथमं सम्बभूव विश्वस्य कर्ता भुवनस्य गोप्ता।
स ब्रह्म विद्यां सर्व विद्या प्रतिष्ठा-मथर्वाय ज्येष्ठ पुत्राय प्राह। (मुण्डकोपनिषद्,१/१/१)
वाल्मीकि रामायण, किष्किन्धा काण्ड, अध्याय ४०-
पूर्वमेतत्कृतंद्वारंपृथिव्याभुवनस्यच।सूर्यस्योदयनंचैवपूर्वाह्येषादिगुच्यते॥६४॥
5. Meru-Meru has several meanings in cosmology, geography and other contexts.
(1) Hiraṇya-gabha Meru-This was the primordial fire-ball from which universe was created. As source of birth, it is called Ulba (Umbilical cord) also.
हिरण्यगर्भः समवर्तताग्रे भूतस्य जातः पतिरेक आसीत्।(ऋक् १०/१२१/१)
कूर्मपुराण (१/४)-यमाहुः पुरुषं हंसं प्रधानात् परतः स्थितम्। हिरण्यगर्भं कपिलं छन्दो-मूर्तिं सनातनम्॥३९॥
मेरुरुल्बमभूत् तस्य जरायुश्चापि पर्वताः। गर्भोदकं समुद्राश्च तस्यास परमात्मनः॥४०॥
It has various levels for universe, galaxy, solar system and earth.
ब्रह्माण्ड पुराण (१/१/३) आदि कर्त्ता स भूतानां ब्रह्माग्रे समवर्त्तिनाम्॥२५॥
हिरण्यगर्भः सोऽण्डेऽस्मिन् प्रादुर्भूतश्चतुर्मुखः। सर्गे च प्रतिसर्गे च क्षेत्रज्ञो ब्रह्म संमितः॥२६॥
करणैः सह पृच्छन्ते प्रत्याहारैस्त्यजन्ति च। भजन्ते च पुनर्देहांस्ते समाहार सन्धिसु॥२७॥
हिरण्मयस्तु यो मेरुस्तस्योद्धर्तुर्महात्मनः। गर्तोदकं सम्बुदास्तु हरेयुश्चापि पञ्चताः॥२८॥
यस्मिन् अण्ड इमे लोकाः सप्त वै सम्प्रतिष्ठिताः। पृथिवी सप्तभिर्द्वीपः समुद्रैः सह सप्तभिः॥२९॥
(a) (a) Svayambhū maṇḍala-This is visible universe as collection of 1011 galaxies created from abstract uniform source. Here, the mutual attraction among galaxies and receiving light of each other is Meru or ulba
(b) Kūrma meru-This is creative field, called garbha in which our galaxy has been created. Its size is measured in Śakvarī chhanda (14x4 = 56 letters), i.e. 1053 times earth size. Now, it is seen as neutrino corona of our galaxy which is about 10 times bigger than the galaxy.
शङ्कु भवत्यह्नो धृत्यै यद्वा अधृतँ शङ्कुना तद्दाधार। (ताण्ड्य महाब्राह्मण ११/१०/११)
तद् (शङ्कु साम) उ सीदन्तीयमित्याहुः॥१२॥
(c) Parameṣṭhī Meru-This is rotation axis of galaxy. Distance between galactic poles is about 1,00,000 light years, called 1 lakh yojanas. Mahar loka is 30000 yojanas from its center and has 1000 suns in the sphere of diameter of spiral arm (1400 light years) around our sun. These suns are called 1000 heads of Śeṣa, Ananta or Samkarṣaṇa. On one of these, earth is like a small particle.
भागवत पुराण (५/२५)- अस्य मूलदेशे त्रिंशद् योजन सहस्रान्तर आस्ते या वै कला भगवतस्तामसी समाख्यातानन्त इति सात्वतीया द्रष्टृ दृश्ययोःसङ्कर्षणमहमित्यभिमान लक्षणं यं सङ्कर्षणमित्याचक्ष्यते॥१॥यस्येदं क्षितिमण्डलं भगवतोऽनन्तमूर्तेः सहस्रशिरस एकस्मिन्नेव शीर्षाणि ध्रियमाणं सिद्धार्थ इव लक्ष्यते॥२॥
(2) Merus of solar system-These are of 2 types-
(a) Nākasvarga or Meru-This is axis of rotation of solar system itself. Seen from earth, earth axis rotates around it in a circle of 240 in a period of 26,000 years. The star group looks like a reptile called Śiśumāra, Thus, Nāka-meru is centre of Śiśumāra-chakra described in Viṣṇupurāṇa, chapters (2/8-9). Its size is 100,000yojana (yojana for solar system is diameter of sun). Sphere of this radius is called Maitreya-maṇḍala within which the bodies will move in gravitation of sun.
तम् (त्रयस्त्रिंशं स्तोमं) उ नाक इत्याहुर्न हि प्रजापतिः कस्मै च नाकम् । (ताण्ड्य महाब्राह्मण १०/१/१८)
विश्वा रूपाणि प्रति मुञ्चते कविः ग्रासावीद् भद्रं द्विपदे चतुष्पदे। वि नाकमख्यत् सविता वरेण्योऽनु प्रयाणमुषसो वि राजति॥ (वाजसनेयी संहिता १२/३) स्वर्गो वै लोको नाकः (शतपथ ब्राह्मण ६/३/३/१४, ६/७/२/४)
(b) Earth axis-Astronomy texts call north pole as Sumeru and south pole as Kumeru. But height of this Meru is stated as 100,000 yojanas out of which only 1000 yojana part is within earth because earth size is 1000 yojana only. Basically, this is meant to be rotation axis of earth. Its length is 100,000 yojanas (1 yojana = 1000 part of equatorial diameter = 12,800 kms approx. here). The disc shaped zone around earth in plane of ecliptic is called Jambū-dvīpa of 50,000 yojana radius in Bhāgavata purāṇa, skandha 5, Viṣṇu purāṇa 2/7-8etc. That is exclusive gravitational zone of earth in which a body will revolve round earth. Moon is at about 61r distance, r = radius of earth.
This is description of Jaina text Lokaprakāśa (18/15-16). Purāṇas give same measure of Meru, but tell that 16000 yojanapart is within earth. Geo-synchronous orbit has diameter of this size which has been called earth here.
कूर्म पुराण (१/४३)-जम्बूद्वीपः समस्तानां द्वीपानां मध्यतः शुभः। तस्य मध्ये महामेरुर्विश्रुतः कनक-प्रभः॥६॥
चतुरशीति साहस्रो योजनैस्तस्य चोच्छ्रयः। प्रविष्टः षोडषाधस्ताद् द्वात्रिंशन् मूर्ध्नि-विस्तृतः॥७॥
मूले षोडष साहस्रो विस्तारस्तस्य सर्वतः। भू-पद्मस्यास्य शैलोऽसौ कर्णिकात्वेन संस्थितः॥८॥
(3) Merus on earth surface-(a) Polar Merus-These are reference points for survey and mapping of earth. Mapping of earth surface of north (and south) hemisphere was in 4 sheets of 900 longitude width. It was projection on rectangular pyramid with square base touching equator and axis in direction of north pole to height of 100,000 yojanas. 4 faces were Bhārata, Bhadrāśva, Ketumāla, Kuru shown in 4 colours, called 4 colours of faces of Meru mountain. South quadrants (Talas) were also described as earths of different colours in Brahmāṇḍa purāṇa (1/2/20)
ब्रह्माण्डपुराण (१/२/१५)-चतुर्वर्णश्च सौवर्णो मेरुश्चारुतमः स्मृतः। द्वात्रिंशच्च सहस्राणि विस्तीर्णः स च मूर्द्धनि॥१६॥
नाभि बन्धन सम्भूतो ब्रह्मणोऽव्यक्त जन्मनः। पूर्वतः श्वेत वर्णश्च ब्राह्मणस्तस्य तेन तत्॥१८॥
पार्श्वमुत्तरतस्तस्य रक्त वर्णः स्वभावतः। तेनास्य क्षत्र भावस्तु मेरोर्नानार्थ कारणात्॥१९॥
पीतश्च दक्षिणे नासौतेन वैश्यत्वमिष्यते। भृङ्ग पत्र निभश्चापि पश्चिमेन समाचितः॥२०॥
तेनास्य शूद्रभावः स्यादिति वर्णाः प्रकीर्त्तिताः। वृत्तः स्वभावतः प्रोक्तो वर्णतः परिमाणतः॥२१॥
North and south poles were called Sumeru or Svar-meru, Kumeru or Vaḍavā-mukha (surrounded by ocean, whose energy is called Vaḍavā)
स्वर्मेरु-स्थलमध्ये नरको बडवामुखं च जल-मध्ये। अमर-मरा मन्यन्ते परस्परमधः स्थितान् नियतान्॥१२॥
उदयो यो लङ्काया सोऽस्तमयः सवितुरेव सिद्धपुरे। मध्याह्नो यवकोट्यां रोमक विषयेऽर्धरात्रं स्यात्॥१३॥
(आर्यभटीय, ४/१२-१३)
(b) Other Merus-Main Meru on Equator was in Africa, called Kilimanjaro now-highest mountain of Kenya. Its district is still called Meru. East Meru was called Prāń-Meru (Pamir) which is junction of mountains in Asia. Western Meru was Apara-Meru (Ameru in Peru) which is origin of name America. There was no man called Amerigo in Spain who named America. Every continent had Merus and other Merus as reference for mapping. Some have been listed as boundaries of time zones.
जैन हरिवंश पुराण (पञ्चम सर्ग)-(धातकी खण्ड, पुष्कर द्वीप)-
पूर्वापरौ महामेरोर्द्वौ मेरू भवतोऽस्य च। इष्वाकारौ विभक्तारौ पर्वतौ दक्षिणोत्तरौ॥४९४॥
अशीतिश्च सहस्राणि चत्वारि च समुच्छ्रयः। चतुर्णामपि मेरूणां परयोर्द्वीपयोर्भवेत्॥५१३॥
Some other Merus are-
1. Meru, Tanzania, a village in northern Tanzania (Arumeru District). It is inhabited by the Meru people of Tanzania, known as the "Wameru" in Bantu. Mount Meru is a volcano near Arusha in northern Tanzania 3°14′ S, 36°45′ E
2. Nearby Mount Kilimanjaro at 3°4′33″S, 37°21′12″E is in Kenya. Mount Kenya is at 0°9′00″S,37°18′00″E with nearby Meru Town at 0°03′N,37°39′E. There are Meru central and north districts, Maara district. Its people are called Ameru, their language is Kimiiru. The forest region is Meru National Park.
3. Meru, Hazaribagh, a small town in Jharkhand, India, 24°1′46″N, 85°27′26″E. This is almost at old Karkarekhā and about 100 east of Ujjain, thus a local reference.
4. Meru, Malaysia, a town in Klang, located in Selangor, 308’ N, 101027’ E
5. Meru, Western Australia, a locality near Geraldton, 28°48′11″S 114°41′10″E
6. Méru, a commune of the Oise department in France 490 14’N, 20 8’ E- about 73045’ west of Ujjain or 12 time zone west. Place of Time zones are places of Śiva called Mahākāla at Ujjain at central longitude. Similarly, town near Greenwich longitude here is called Lourdes (Rudreśa) at 4306’ N and 003’ E.
7. Meru Peak, a mountain in the Indian Himalayas 30°52′5″N, 79°1′56″E
8. Phra Sumeru Temple, Bangkok, Thailand,13°45'N,100°35'E
9. Sumerumountain, Java, 806’S, 120035’E
10. Mount Sumeru of China at 36°01′N 106°15′E is of red sandstone like colours of Meru in purāṇas. It is full of minerals.
(4) Meru is a design of house in pyramid shape. Flat pyramid shape is design of towns called Meru, e.g. Ajaya-Meru (Ajmer), Jaisalmer or many other countries in other countries.
(5) Meru is central bead of rosary for counting mantras.
(6) Backbone of animals is called Meru-daṇḍa.
(7) Head of a country or group is also called Meru which has become Mir (main, first). Other chiefs are Apara-Meru (Amir in central Asia).
