Although I have missed the beginning part of this interesting thread, let me quote a verse from the AryabhaTiiya where the shape of the earth is compared with the Kadamba flower: AB 4.7a/ yad-vat kadamba-puSpa-granthis pracitas samantatas kusumais/ AB 4.7c/ tad-vat hi sarva-sattvais jala-jais sthala-jais ca bhU-golas// Micho Yano