मेरु

Proper noun

 * 1) Name of a fabulous mountain, regarded as the Olympus of Hindu mythology and said to form the central point of jambu-dvīpa-. All the planets revolve round it and it is compared to the cup or seed-vessel of a lotus, the leaves of which are formed by the different dvīpas q.v. The river Ganges falls from heaven on its summit, and flows thence to the surrounding worlds in four streams. The regents of the four quarters of the compass occupy the corresponding faces of the mountain, the whole of which consists of gold and gems. Its summit is the residence of Brahma, and a place of meeting for the gods, rishis, gandharvas etc. When not regarded as a fabulous mountain, it appears to mean the highland of Tartary north of the Himalayas.