The sons of Âgnidhra are the nine Varshas or Continents. We shall learn the details of these Varshas subsequently. Of these Varshas again, we are directly concerned with Nabhi. The word Nabhi means navel, which is at the centre of the body. The Nabhi Varsha is the pivot on which the other Varshas hang. The Nabhi Varsha is what we know as our Earth. The nine Varshas are also placed layer over layer, as the Dvipas are. When Nabhi underwent further transformation, Rishabha became his son. In Rishabha, we come to a turning point. He is said to be an Incarnation of Vishnu. The word "Rishabha" means bull. But that meaning does not give us any help in understanding Rishabha and his work. Priyavrata moved rapidly round Meru, till the globes were formed. This is in accordance with the Nebulous theory of Laplace. When the globes were formed, the Earth became denser. As the density increased, the movement of the Earth became irregular, till at last, the planet became fixed. This is not the western idea. The Pauranic idea is that the sun moves round the Earth, and the Earth remains fixed in its position. The story of Priyavrata’s line is based upon this idea. Another idea of the ancients was that the planets had speech, till they became solidified. Rishabha took upon himself the vow of silence. His son Bharata became speechless as a deer. It was necessary to put a limit to the materiality of the Earth. The hard crust that formed the shell of the planet could not be allowed to affect its heart. The Earth was not to lose all spirituality. Therefore Vishnu incarnated in Rishabha so that spirituality might be stored in our planets, for the evolution of those Jivas that dwelt over it. Look at a Parama Hansa; the ascetic that neither speaks nor moves. Judging from outside, he is no better than a mute animal, but he is all spirituality within. Such is the nature of our mother Earth. The thrusting of stones into the mouth of Rishabha is suggestive. The sons of Rishabha are the countries of our Earth. Of these Bharata (India) was the first-born. The spiritual character of this holy land is shewn by the story of Bharata. Bharata was obeyed and imitated by nine brothers, of whom Brahma-varta is well-known as described by Manu. Malaya is Malabar. Vidarbha is Berar and Kikata is Bihar. The sons of Rishabha very likely include all the countries of the Earth. Rishabha called his sons and asked them to follow Bharata. Will other lands now follow that advice? THE EARTH CHAIN, BHUVANA KOSHA. *SKANDHA V. CHAP. 16.* Said Parikshit: — "Thou hast given the bare outline of these regions of the universe which are lighted by the sun and where the moon and the luminous starry host are also seen. "Thou hast hereby mentioned the seven oceans and the seven Dvipas, but thou hast not given the details thereof." Suka replied: —