The Universal System of Astronomy

...as stated regarding its position: 14. It attracts from the transverse and lower regions; in the same way, it acts from the upper regions. Because of this balance, it remains in the same place in space. 15. Indeed, because people at different times and in different places observe the stars and the planets at different elevations on the Earth, and because the directions like North appear different based on one's location, the Earth must be understood as being like a globe. 16. The distance between two observers is known as the interval; by the strength of the latitude and the displacement, the distance is determined. Furthermore, what is the use of mere words? 17. The measurement of the circumference has been calculated and explained. To those who know mathematics, the circumference above Lanka In ancient Indian astronomy, Lanka refers to a theoretical point on the equator used as the prime meridian. is two units. The distance between there and the observer is the "arrow" original: śara; a geometric term referring to the versed sine, used here to calculate distances on a curved surface...
Earth

...this is the measure of the Earth; it is not proper to consider it larger than this. 18. A tiny portion—specifically the 1/40th part—of the entire circumference appears even and flat to someone standing upon its surface. Therefore, the Earth seems like a flat circular surface to the observer. 19. Wherever a person stands, they consider themselves to be "on top" and think of the Earth as being "below" them. Therefore, even though this Earth is a globe, it appears to be a flat surface to those situated upon it. 20. Like reflections in water, those situated on the opposite side of the globe appear to be "head-downward." Yet, just as we feel we are on top, they too feel they are situated normally. 21.

Therefore, the Earth-globe original: Ku-gola, with its mountains, cities, hermitages, rivers, oceans, gods, demons, and humans, is covered on all sides, just as the Kadamba flower The Kadamba (Neolamarckia cadamba) is a flowering tree; its spherical orange blossoms are covered in tiny projecting filaments, which Indian astronomers used as a perfect analogy for how things stick to the surface of the round Earth. is covered by its own filaments. 22.

Aside from the regions of self-balance and the northern lands, there are four other divisions. These are separated by intervals of 1/4th parts, extending from the shores of the ocean toward the north. 23. The island of Meru The central axis or mountain of the world in traditional cosmology is in the middle of the Earth-globe. Regarding the southern regions, the arrangement of the islands and their names are known through observation. 24. From the equator, the regions are determined by dividing the area into 90 degrees. There, the divisions are explained through the expanse of the stars. 25. Then, the width of the island of Shaka Shaka-dvīpa is said to be one-third the measure of the Moon. From there, the wise who live by the light of the Moon say the following regions are increased by one-third parts. 26. Beyond that is the Shalmali island, shaped like a ring, and then the ocean. After that, by three-and-a-half parts, comes the island named Kusha. 27. Then, in a ring-like shape...