Bharata Consists of Several Zones

 From an analysis of the passages in the primary texts, it has become clear that Jambudvipa refers to the central axial region of the bronchial tree. It is the region encompassing all the bronchial conduits. As is well known, the bronchi are to be found upto the segmental or sub-segmental region of the lung. Beyond that, the airways become divested of cartilage and they transform into bronchioles. Bharata varsa seems to be situated at the boundary between the bronchial and the bronchiolar zones or at least very close to it. The river Ganga (pulmonary artery) is said to split seven times before reaching Bharata. This could only mean that this varsa is situated right after the central axial region of the lung, consisting of the first seven conduits, starting with Meru. 

Bharata Consists of Several Zones

Like Jambudvipa, the varsa of Bharata itself is divided into several zones. The Puranas mention either seven or nine zones and also several sub-zones, Lanka being one of them.

It is only in the southernmost zone that karma is really performed, not in any of the higher regions which are said to be peopled by the mlecchas. This should mean that this southernmost zone is the respiratory zone of the lung where the yajna, the conjunction of fire (the deoxygenated flow) with the twigs of the trees (respiratory bronchioles), occurs. The other zones of Bharata would not fall into the respiratory zone; they must be part of the bronchiolar region.

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