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Some Geographical and Ethnic Data of Matsya Purana / By Dr. S. G. Kantwaala; M. S. University of Baroda. / 411-419

(Continued from 'Purana Vol. V, No. 1) [ayam lekhah purvato'nuvrttah | purvasmin lekhe matsyapuranoktanam A aksarenarabdhanam bhaugolikanam jatisambandhinam ca namnam vivaranam prastutam | prastuta lekhe kesamcidaparesamidrsanam namnam (varnakramasah Baksareranarabdhanam ) matsyapuranasthala nirdesapurvakam vivarana pradiyate | srayam lekhah mulamsasya samksepah | ] | 80. Badaritirtha : The goddess Urvasi is worshipped here. If one offers a Sraddha here one attains the highest state (22. 73-75). This is also the birth-place of Badarayana (14.16) and the place of penance of Mitra and Varuna (201.24). This refers to Badarinatha in Garhwal, U. P. in the Himalayas (vide also Tk, pp. 46ff). 81. Badarikasrama: S. V. Badaritirtha. 82. Bahirgiri : S. V. Bharata. The names Antargiri, Bahirgiri and Upagiri occur in the Sabhaparvan ( 24.2 ) of the Mahabharata and Dr. V. S. Agrawala writes that "the graff literally "Inner Mountain" denoted the same high ranges as the Pali mahahimavanta . It is the Great Central Himalaya which comprises those highest peaks which have an altitude of 18000 ft. and more, like Gaurisankara, Nandadevi, Kedarnatha etc. The name cff signified the outlying region of Tarai. In between the two lies the Lesser Himalaya range known into Skt. as bahigiri and in Pali as cullahimavanta . It is the sub - Himalayan range of low lying peaks having altitude of 6000 ft. and more upto 10,000 ft. antargiri and upagiri are also mentioned by Panini (V. 4. 112). In the critical edition of the Sabhaparvan the reading accepted is *Abridged form of the original by Author's permission,

412 puranam - PURANA [Vol. VI., No. 2 Uparigiri which is different from the name given in the Astadhyayi" (op. cit, ABORI Vol. XXXVII, p. 8, for his comments on the lection Uparigiri, vide ibid, p. 8; vide also his IP, p. 39). 83. Bahlika: He is Pratipa's son and the brother of Devapi and Santanu. His seven sons were called Bahlisvaras (50.39). The people of Bahlika country were thrown into confusion by Hiranyakasipu when he came on the battlefield for a duel with Narasimha (163-72). It is the northern desa of Bharatavarsa (114.40. It is the modern Balkh about the northern frontiers of Afghanistan (Sircar, D. C., op. cit., 1 HQ Vol. XXI, p. 302, for details vide Chaudhuri S. B. op. cit. p. 108 ff). Dr. B. C. Law remarks that "they should be identified with 'Baktrioi' occupying the country near Archaos in Ptolemy's time" (op. cit. p. 133, vide also IA, 1884, p. 408). 84. Balahaka: Balahaka, Rsabha, Cakra and Mainaka are mountains extending upto the Lavana ocean (121.72) vide also S. V. Kusadvipa. 85. Barbara (ka): This is a mountainous janapada watered by the River Caksu and is inhabited by the Mlecchas (121.43, 45, 46). They were killed by Pramati in the sandhya-period of the Kali age of the Svayambhuva-manvantara (144.57). On the Barbaras of the passage, i. e. MP 121.45,46, Dr. S.B. Chaudhuri writes that they "represent the various rude tribes who lived in the unexplored regions in the lower course of the Oxus near about the trans-caspian province" (op. cit. p. 114, and fn. 3 on the same page). Dr. D. C. Sircar connects it with Barbaricum (op. cit., 1HQ Vol. XXI p. 303 fn. 30). It also appears that the country of the Barbaras extended upto the Arabian sea (Law B.C, op. cit., p. 70) and this seems to be alluded to when the MP states that the Sindhu flowed through the Barba country (121.47) (vide also other information, Patil D. R., op. cit., p. 250). Incidentally it may also be mentioned that there are hills Barbara by name about 16 miles north of Gaya (Law CXX B. C., op. cit., p. 211).

July, 1964] GEOGRAPHICAL AND ETHNIC DATA 413 86. Bhadraka: It is a janapada known after Bhadraka (48.20). S. V. Bhadrakara. 87. Bhadrakara S. V. Bharata. According to Dr. D. C. Sircar they are apparently the same as the Madrakaras who were a branch of the Salva tribe and inhabited the north-eastern part of the Punjab or the adjacent regions (op. cit., 1HQ XXI, p. 300). Dr. S. B. Chaudhuri does not accept the identity of Bhadrakara and Madrakara (op. cit., p. 23 fn. 4) and he holds that they lived somewhere to the north of the Rohitakas. The name Rohitaka survives in modern Rohtak, the head quarters of the district of the same name in the Punjab, 44 miles north-west of Delhi (vide Chaudhuri S. B., op. cit. pp, 22 ff.). They had close associations with some ancient Indian ethnographical names (cf. Surasena Bhadrakara Vahyah.../114.36). (For other information vide Agrawala V. S., IP, p. 57, Patil D. R. op. cit. pp. 250-251). 88. Bhadrasva: Here is a forest Bhadramala by name where a tree Kalamra by name exists. People of this land are said to be very happy and possess immense strength. They are white in complexion and are ever young and healthy. Ladies of this land are pearless in beauty (113.51 ff.). S. V. Videha. (vide also Rai Krishnadas, Puranic Geography of the Catur-dvipas, Purana, Vol. I, no. 2, Feb. 1960, p. 204). 89. Bhadresvara: The goddess Bhadra is worshipped here (13.31). This is possibly Bhadreshwar in the Hoogly district (Sircar D. C., op. cit., JBBRAS, Vol. XIV, p. 82). 90. Bhagirathi: This is the name of the Ganges (163.20) during its course in the Himalayan region. The Bhagirathi originates from the Narayana mountain beyond Badarinatha (Tk. p. 53) and meets Alakananda at Devaprayaga (Tk. p. 49). 91. Bharata: This is the land of the 14 Manus, Svayambhuva and others, and their progeny. It is named after Manu known as Bharata because of his creative and maintaining-activity (114-1-5). It is surrounded by the ocean. It is 1000 yojanas in extent from north to south. It extends from Cape Comerin (Kumari) to the source of the Ganges. In its oblique extent in 20

414 puranam - PURANA [Vol. VI., No. 2 the north it is ten thousand yojanas. It is inhabited by Aryas and Mlecchas and the latter are said to dwell on all sides and borders. On the eastern and western boundaries reside the Yavanas and Kiratas. The central part is inhabited by Brahmins, Ksatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras who follow their professions. The purpose of her people is the attainment of heaven. Her conqueror is said to acquire the title of Samrat (114. 9-16). There are seven kulaparvatas: Mahendra, Sahya, Suktiman, Vindhya, Pariyatra, (114. 17-18) etc. In addition to these there are thousands of mountains. The following rivers rise from the Himalayas : Ganges, Sindhu, Sarasvati, Satadru, Airavati, Vitasta, Visala, Devika, Kuhu, Gomati, Dhautapapa, Bahuda, Drsadvati, Kausiki, Tritiya, Niscala, Gandaki, Iksu and Lauhita (114. 20-22). The following rivers rise from the Pariyatra mountain: Vedasmrti, Vetravati, Vrtraghna, Sindhu, Parnasa, Narmada, Kaveri, Para, Dhanvatirupa, (v. 1 Carmanvati) Vidus-a, Venumati, Sipra, Avanti, Kunti 114. 23-24). From the Rsy (-ks) avat mountain rise the following rivers: Sona (which is a mahanada), Nandana, Sukrsa, Ksama, Mandakini, Dasuna, Citrakuta, Tamasa, Pippali, Syeni, Citrotpala, Vimala, Cancala, Dhuta vahini, Suktimati, Suni, Lajja, Mukuta and Hradika (114.24-26). The MP 114.26ab is dropped by Dr. D. C. Sircar, in the text of the Puranic list of rivers and 114.26cd is read as 'Suni Lajja Suktimati Sakuli Tridiva Kramuh (op. cit. 1HQ. XXVII. No 3, p. 222). The Vindhya mountain is the source of the following rivers: Tapi, Payosni, Nirvindhya, Ksipra, Rsabha, Vena, Visvamala, Kumudvati, Toya, Mahagauri, Durgama, and Siva. The water of these rivers is cool (114, 27-28). From the Sahya mountain the following rivers rise: Godavari, Bhimarathi, Krsnaveni, Vanjula, Tungabhadra, Suprayoga, Vahya and Kaveri. These are the rivers of Daksinapatha (114. 29).

July, 1964] GEOGRAPHICAL AND ETHNIC DATA 415 From the Malaya mountain the following auspicious rivers rise : : Krtamala, Tamraparni, Puspaja, Utpalavati. The water of these rivers is cool (114. 30). The following rivers rise from the Mahendra mountain : Tribhaga, Rsikulya, Iksuda, Tridivacala, Tamraparni, Muli, Sarava, and Vimala (114. 31). Dr. D. C. Sircar reads here as follows:- trisama rsikulya ca iksula tridiva ca ya | langulini vamsadhara mahendratanaya smrtah || Langulini is the modern Languliya running past Chicacole (Srikakulam) in the district of that name in Madras. Vamsadhara still known by this name runs past Kalingapatam near Chicacole (op. cit., 1 HQ. Vol. XXVII. No. 3, p. 227). The Suktimat (-manta) mountain is the source of the following rivers: Kasika, Sukumari, Mandaga, Mandavahini, Krpa and Pasini. They meet the ocean. They are described as auspicious, the mothers of the world and the destroyer of all sins. They have hundreds and thousands of tributaries and distributaries. (114. 31-34). The following are generally designated as the janapada of Madhyadesa Kuru, Pancala, Salva, Jangala, Surasena, Bhadrakara, Vahya, Pataccara, Matsya, Kirata, Kulya, Kuntala, Kasi, Kosala, Avanta, Kalinga, Muka and Andhaka (114. 34-36). Near the Sahya mountain there is a river Godavari and the region around it is said to be most charming. There are the Govardhana, Mandara and Gandhamadana mountains. The celestial trees and herbs were brought down by the sage Bharadvaja for pleasing Rama i. e. Parasurama (cf. Pargiter F. E., Tr., p. 310). It is a beautiful land rich in flowers (114. 37-39). The following are the desas of the northern division:Bahlika, Vatadhana, Abhira, Kalatoyaka, Purandhra, (V. L. Parandha-ga, gha; Parandhra-na). Sudra, Pallava, Attakhandika, Gandhara, Yavana, Sindhu-Sauvira, Madra, Saka, Druhya, Pulinda, Parada, Haramurtika, Ramatha, Kantakara, Kaikeya,

416 puranam - PURANA [Vol. VI., No. 2 Dasanamaka (V. L. Dasanamika-ga, gha), Atri, Bharadvaja, Prasthala, Daseraka, (V. I. Saubhaka-na), Lampaka (V.L. Lampakaga, gha), Talagana (V. 1. Tangana,-na), Sainika, Jangala and the settlement of Ksatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras (114. 40-43). The following are the janapadas of the eastern division:Anga, Vanga, Madguraka, Antargiri, Bahirgiri, Plavanga, Matanga, Yamaka, Mallavarnka, Suhmottara, Pravijaya, Marga, Vageya (if read as Marga Vageyamalavah; cf. The Bombay edition of the Mar.-p., (54. 44) reads Geyamallakah and the Calcutta edition of the Mar.-p., (57. 44) reads Jneyamalla kah. The ga reads (), Malava, Pragjyotisa, Pundra, Videha, Tamralipta, Salva, Magadha and Gonarda (114. 44, 45). The following are the janapadas of the Daksinapatha, and Aparanta :Pandya, Kerala, Cola, Kulya, Setuka, Sutika, Vajivasika (V. 1. Vajikah, Sakah-na; Vajikasikah-ga), Kupatha Navarastra, Mahisaka, Kalinga, Karusa, Sahaisika (Aisika), Atavya, Sabara, Pulinda, Vindhyapusika, Vaidarbha, Dandaka, Kuliya, Sirala, Rupasa, Tupasa, Taittirika, Karaskara, Vasikya, Antarnarmada, Bharukaccha, Sarasvata, Maheya, Kacchika, Saurastra, Anarta and Arbuda (114. 46-51). The following are the janapadas of the Vindhya mountain :Malava, Karusa, Mekala, Utkala, Aundra, Dasarna, Bhoja, Kiskindhaka, (s) Tosala, Kosala, Traipura, vaidisa, Saundikera, Tumura, Tumbara, Padmaga, Naisadha, Arupa, Vitihotra, Avanti (114.51-54). (For the extent of Udicyadesa, Pracyadesa, Daksinapatha, Aparanta, Vindhyavasin and Madhyadesa, see Law B. C., op., cit. Intr. pp. 11.ff. The following are the parvatasrayin desas :- Nirahara, Sarvaga, Kupatha, Apatha, Pravarana, Urna, Darva, Samudgaka, Trigarta, Mandala, Kirata, and Camara (114. 54-56). The home of the Parvatasrayins (The highlanders) is placed in the region of Nihara or Jalalabad (Pargiter F. E. ., Tr., p. 345; Agrawala V.S.,

July, 1964] GEOGRAPHICAL AND ETHNIC DATA 417 IP., p. 41). Dr. V. S. Agrawala observes that "The Parvatasrayin janapadas of the Puranas find pointed mention in Panini as Ayudhajivins of the Parvata-country (IV. 3, 91), i. e. high military landers settled in the North-west of India and Trigarta. (The Janapada and the Greek city-State; IHQ. Vol. XXX. p. 38. In this article he makes a comparative study of the Janapada and the Greek city State). In 121.49 it (Bharata) is said to be a Janapada inhabited by the Aryans and the Ganges is said to water this land. "Bharata is also known as Himasahvayavarsa (121-42). It should also be noted that the MP enumerates 9 bhedas i. e. divisions of Bharata (1) Indradvipa (2) Kaseru, (3) Tamraparna, (4) Gabhastiman, (5) Nagadvipa, (6) Saumya (7) Gandharva, (8) Varuna and (9) Kumari (114.7 ff). "Of the nine Khandas eight have been shown to be divisions not of India proper. They are not so many provinces of India, but of greater India and are islands and countries that encircle the Indian peninsula" (Law B. C., op. cit., Intro, p. 10; See Cunningham, Ancient Geography of India, Appendix I, pp. 749-754). Dr. S.B. Chaudhuri notes also the opposite view i. e. "The nine dvipas represent but another scheme of the nine divisions of India proper." (The nine Dvipas of Bharatavarsa, IA., Vol. 59, p. 224). For ready reference the identifications of these dvipas may be given (1) Indradvipa, Burma (2) Kaserumat, Malay Peninsula (3) Tamraparna, Ceylon, (4) Gabhastiman, Laccadive and Malay islands, (5) Saumya, difficult to identify, but one can trace the name in modern Siam (6) Gandharva, Gandhara, (7) Nagadvipa, islands of Salsette and Elephanta near Bombay (Cunningham, op. cit, ed. by S. N. Mazumdar p. 751), but according to Dr. V. S. Agrawala, it is Nicobar and he finds confirmation for the identification in the Valahassajataka (JBORAS, Vol. XXIII. Pt. 1, pp. 133-137; Pusalker, A. D., studies in the Epics and Puranas, p. 213). (8) Varuna, Borneo (Chaudhuri, S. B., ibid., p. 224) (9) Kumari, India proper (Agrawala, V. S., The Meaning of Kumari Dvipa, Sardha- Satabdi Special Volume of Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bombay, New Series, Vols. 31-32, 1956-57 (June 1959), pp, 1 ff).

418 puranam - PURANA [Vol. VI., No. 2 The Nine Dvipas of for some continental (On the nine dvipas, vide Chaudhuri, S. B. Bharatavarsa, IA, Vol. 59, pp. 204 ff.; notices on the divisions of India, vide Chaudhuri S. B., Journal of Indian History, Vol. XXVII Pt. III, December 1949, pp. 237 ff.). The concept of nine divisions was also known to foreigners. St. Epiphanious (end of the 4th century) recorded that India was formerly divided into nine kingdoms (Chaudhuri S. B., ibid Journal of Indian History Vol. XXVII p. 241; Yules Travels of Marco Polo, ed. by Cordier, Vol. II., p. 432, but in the opinion of Yule it is a traditional number (Yule, ibid, p., 199, fn. 10; Chaudhuri S. B., op. cit., p. 241). 92. Bharadvajas: S.V. Bharata. Atris and Bharadvajas are mentioned together. It may be "The north-western country beyond the Indus on the west (as the home of there tribes" (Chaudhuri S. B., Ethnic Settlements in Ancient India, p., 134). 93. Bhojas: S. V. Bharata. The Bhojas branched off from the Haihaya-group (43.48). They are said to be the sons of Druhyu, the son of Yayati (34.30; 44.69). The people of the country of Bhoja were disturbed by Hiranyakasipu, when the latter came on the battle-field with Narasimha (163.72). Dr. B. C. Law remarks that they should be identified with the 'Baktrioi' occupying the country near Archosia in Ptolemy's time (op. cit, p. 153, 9A, 1884, p. 408). Elsewhere Dr. B. C. Law observes that it "coincides with Berar or ancient Vidarbha and Cammaka four miles south-east of Elichpur in the Amraoti district' (Law B. C., op. cit. p. 144; See also 145). According to Pargiter some of them lived in the north-east of Gujarat and Saurastra (as Yadava), while some lived on the extreme western end of the Vindhya range (Tr. p. 342). (On Bhojas, vide also Chaudhuri S. B., op. cit., pp. 108 ff.). 94. Bindusaras: S. V. Ganges and Hiranyasrnga. 95. Brahmavarta: This is said to be an abode of Brahma (190-7-8) as well as a pitr-tirtha (22.69) and the offering of pindas here is believed to be highly efficacious (191.70.71). Thus there are two Brahmavartas; the one mentioned in 190.7-8 may be

July, 1964] GEOGRAPHICAL AND ETHNIC DATA 419 identified, with Brahmanagama, two miles from Hatanora (vide Tk. p. 235) whereas the one menticned in 191. 70-71 appears to be Brahmatirtha which is near Kasarol which is in turn near Kandarol. This Kandarol is on the southern bank of the Narmada and it is four miles from Sinor (Tk. p. 432 ). Otherwise the well known Brahmavarta is the region lying between the rivers Sarasvati and Drsadvati : cf :- sarasvatidrsadvatyordevanadyoryadantaram | tam devanirmitam desam brahmavartam pracaksate || Manusmrti 2.17. 96. Brahmottara : It is mentioned along with Vanga and Tamralipta as one of the countries through which the Ganges flowed (121. 50-51). The Brahmottaras presumably lived in Satgaon in the valley of Bhagirathi ( Chaudhuri S. B., op. cit., p. 194 ). Vide also Patil D. R., op. cit., pp. 252-253. uttaram yat samudrasya himadrescaiva daksinam | varsam tad bharatam nama bharati yatra santatih || 1 || karmabhumiriyam svargamapavarga ca gacchatam || 2 u0 || atah samprapyate svargo muktimasmat prayanti vai | tiryaktvam narakam capi yantyatah purusa mune || 4 || itah svargasca moksasca madhyam cantasca gamyate | na khalvanyatra martyanam karma bhumau vidhiyate || 5|| (visnu pr0, 2013 )