(“seven seas”) In
traditional mythic geography, the seven oceans surround ing the seven
concentric landmasses (dvipas) that make up the visible world.
Each of these seven seas is composed of a different
substance.
The ocean acces sible to human beings is composed of salt
water, but the oceans beyond that are composed of sugarcane juice, wine, ghee
(clarified butter), yogurt, milk, and sweet water.
Few specific details exist about most of these oceans, but
the Ocean of Milk has a prominent place in Hindu mythology, since it was by
churn ing this that the gods obtained the nec tar of immortality (amrta)
(amrta).
See also Tortoise avatar.
