Useful Links  September 5, 2013   All of us would have probably
heard the words, ".....Jambudveepe Bharatha Varshe Bharata
Khande....." during the sankalpa mantram which forms an integral
part of all Vedic rituals. However, most people in foreign
countries regularly come to our page with the doubt as to how
they must modify this sankalpa mantra to suit the etymology of
those countries. This post hopes to throw some light on this
aspect.  What exactly is this "Jambudwipa"?  Jambudveepa
consisted of modern Asia, Europe, Africa and North America and
not merely the Indian subcontinent.  This Jambudvipa was divided
into nine varshas (geographical regions) of which one was
Bharatha Varsha. The other eight varshas were: 2.Ketumula Varsha
3.Hari Varsha 4.Ilavrita Varsha 5.Kuru Varsha 6.Hiranyaka Varsha
7.Ramyaka Varsha 8.Kimpurusha Varsha 9.Bhadrasva Varsha.  (Refer
to the picture to get a clear idea of this).  India which was
then called Bharathavarsha extended in the west including the
regions of modern Egypt, Afgh