Shakadvipa (Sanskrit:शाकद्वीप,romanized: Śākadvīpa,lit. 'teak island'), is an island featured inHindu mythology. The island is named after a greatteak tree that is stated to venerated in its midst. Its terrain and inhabitants are described in thePuranas.[1]
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According to theBrahma Purana, the ocean known asKshira Sagara is surrounded by Shakadvipa, which is described to be twice the size of Kraunchadvipa, another island. The sovereign of the island is called Bhavya, and he is mentioned as having seven sons, offering each a region of the land: Jalada, Sukumara, Kaumara, Maṇīcaka, Kusumottara, Modaka, and Mahadruma. The seven mountains that exist on this island are Udaya, Jaladhara, Raivataka, Shyama, Ambikeya, Astikeya, and Kesari. A great shaka (teak) tree is described to grow there, frequented bygandharvas andsiddhas. The members of the fourvarnas who live here do so without contracting any disease. The Magas are theBrahmanas, the Magadhas are theKshatriyas, the Manasas are theVaishyas, and the Mandagas are theShudras. The seven sacred rivers that flow through this island are stated to be Sukumari, Kumari, Nalini, Renuka, Ikshu, Dhenuka, and Gabhasti. No excesses of any emotion are stated to be experienced by the islanders.Vishnu is stated to be worshipped here, in his form ofSurya.[2][3]
The account of Shakadvipa in theVishnu Purana is much the same as the Brahma Purana. The inhabitants of this island are described to be extremely virtuous, feeling no jealousy and transgressing no boundaries.[4]