Dvipa


In Indian Cosmology, dvīpa is the term for the major divisions of the terrestrial sphere, sometimes translated as "continents".
Dvīpa has a further meaning than "island" and "continent". "Dvipa" also means "planets" situated in the ocean of outer space.
"The "planets" are called "dvīpas". Outer space is like an ocean of air. Just as there are islands in the watery ocean, these planets in the ocean of space are called dvīpas, or islands in outer space"
There are 7 dvipas. The list of seven is :
  1. Jambu
  2. Plaksha
  3. Shalmali
  4. Kusha
  5. Kraunca
  6. Shaka
  7. Pushkara
The word dvīpa is from an older form *dui-Hpa- and means "having water on two side". It is cognate with Young Avestan 'duuaēpa' which means the same.