18 - The Description of the Jambudvipa - The Bindu Lake- source of the Ganga: Its four streams 

Suta said: 

1. In the midst of the Himalayan ridges, there is a mountain named Kailäsa.1 The glorious and prosperous Kubera lives there along with the Räkşhasas. 

1. The description of mount Kailasa, though a poetic one, shows that the Purana writer was conversant with the topographical features of the Mánasa-sarovara basin-vide M. Ali, op.cit., pp. 55-58. 

2-3. The king, the overlord of Alakā, rejoices (there) with the celestial damsels attending on him. The sacred splendid and chill water originating from the foot of the Kailasa mountain has formed a lake named Mada2 (Manda, in Va.P. 47.2). It abounds in white lilies, and it resembles a sea. The auspicious river Mandakini3 (the Ganga) rises from that divine (lake). 

2. For understanding the Puranic presentation of the ancient river system, the following points are to be noted: 

(1) According to Purăņas, a river normally originates from a lake either over-ground or under-ground and is associated with a mountain.

 (2) They believed that rivers can penetrate through subterranean channels, mountain-ranges and can flow in more than one current, if intervened by ridges.

 (3) A river with all its tributaries is sometimes treated as one river. 

3. Unless mentioned otherwise all the references are to M. Ali's Geog. of Puránas. 

Probably this is the river Uma and the Zhong Chhu which flows through Gauri Kunda on the eastern flank of Kailisa into the Rākshasa Täl (the twin lake of Manasa Sarovara)-M. Ali, p. 65. 

4-5. On its banks there is the great divine park called Nandanavana. To the North-east of the Kailasa, in front of that divine mountain of all medicinal herbs, the mountain full of jewels and minerals, the powerful mountain of wonderful mysteries, there is a mountain named Chandraprabha.4 It is perfectly white, and it resembles splendid jewels. 

4. This is probably the Surange La, the north-east range of Kailasa from which water flows into Lake Kongys Tso or Lake Gounche-M. Al. p.65. 

6. At its foot there is a great divine lake named Svacchoda. From that divine lake rises a river named Svacchodå. 

7-8a. There is a great splendid divine park on its banks called Chaitraratha. On that mountain lives Maņibhadra along with his followers, He is the ruthless lord of the armies of Yakşhas. He is surrounded by the Guhyakas. 

8b-9a. The holy rivers the Mandakini and the Svacchodakå enter the great ocean through the middle of the sphere of the earth. 

9b-10. To the south-east of the Kailasa, in front of the mountain abounding in medicinal herbs and auspicious animals, the divine mountain of diversified and wonderful components, the mountain full of red arsenic, there is the great mountain Sūryaprabha (having the lustre like that of the sun). It is red in colour, and it has golden peaks.1 

1. This red-coloured mountain is Kanglung Kangri (a south-east range of Kailasa) and the river Lauhitya is the Brahmaputra. From a small lake at the foot of the mountain, the Brahmaputra enters Tamchok Khambah, the headwater of the Brahmaputra. -M. Ali.- p.66. 

11. At its foot there is a great divine lake named Lohita. The great holy river named Lauhitya rises from that (lake). 

12-13a. On its bank is the great park named Devăranya which is devoid of sorrow. On that mountain lives Manidhara, the Yakşha of good self-control. He is surrounded by the Guhyakas who are gentle and highly virtuous. 

13b-14. To the southern side of the Kailasa is the mountain abounding in medicinal herbs and cruel, wild animals. In front of the three peaked Anjana that originated from the body of Vrutra, there is that very great mountain Vaidyuta2 possessing all sorts of minerals. 

2. This is the peak Gurla Mändhătă, since Lake Mánasa Sarovara lies below its northern face and the river Karnali (Map Chhu of Tibetans) a major tributary of the Sarayu rises here-M. Ali--p. 66. 

15. At its foot is the holy lake Månasa, frequented by the Siddhas. From it rises the holy river Sarayū that is well known in all the worlds. 

16-17. On its banks is the well-reputed divine forest named Vaibhrāja. There lives the son of Praheti, who is a Räkshasa of self-control, a follower of Kubera, and of unlimited exploits (but) who is Brahmapeta (far removed from the Vedas). He is surrounded by hurdreds of Yātudhanas (demons) who are very terrible and who can traverse the skies. 

18. To the west of the Kailasa is the mountain abounding in medicinal herbs and auspicious animals, Aruna3 (Pink in colour) the splendid and excellent mountain full of gold and minerals.

            3. This is the Ladakh or Leh range-(Ibid). 

 19. This glorious mountain is a favourite resort of Bhava. It resembles clouds (in colour). It is covered with splendid clusters of cliffs of gold. 

20. The mountain Muñjavån is highly divine. It appears to scrape the heaven by means of its hundreds of golden peaks. It is very difficult to climb or pass through as it is enveloped by show. 

21-22. There stands Girīšha (King of mountains), called Dhūmra-lochana1 (of smoke-coloured eyes). The Lake named Sailoda2 is at its foot. 

It enters the briny sea in between the (rivers) Chakşhus and Sita. 

1.    This is Nanga Parbat. (For details vide M. Ali.- Op. cit.

p. 66-67. 

2. The lake Shailoda seems to be the Wular lake which once covered the whole of Kashmir valley. The river Shiloda is the Jhelum which still flows through it and runs towards the west between the Indus and the Sutlej (the Chakşhu and Sită in the Purăņa) - M. Ali, p. 67. 

23-24. On its banks is the well-known divine forest ‘Surabhi'. 

To the left and to the north of the Kailäsa is the auspicious mountain abounding in medicinal herbs and animals. In front of the excellent mountain named Gaura, full of Haritala (yellow orpiment) there is the mountain Hiranmaya.3 This mountain is divine, very great and full of precious gems and jewels. 

3. Gaura, Hiranmaya and Soma (mentioned later in v.27 and in Vå.P.) are the Tibetan ranges north of Kailasa and are called now Tanglha, Aling Kangri and Nychenthangla--M. Ali. (p.68). 

25-26a. At its foot is the highly divine, splendid and charming lake named Bindusara.4 It has golden sandy bed. For the sake of getting the Ganga, king Bhagiratha, the saintly king spent many years near it. 

            4. Bindusara can be explained in two ways: 

(1) a collection of drops of water: The basin between Mt. Aling Kangri and Kailasa Tanglha is dotted with innumerable small and large lakes.

(2) a lake of frozen particles of snow. In the past, the basin Aling Kangri and Kailasa-Tanglha was an extensive snowfield. The Purana writer must have known it through hearsay etc. According to De (p.38) it is on the Rudra Himalaya, two miles south of Gangotri. 

26b. He thought-"My ancestors will go to heaven on being bathed in the waters of the Ganga." After determining thus, he performed penance with the concentration of his mind in Shiva. 

27. The divine river Tripathagă (the Ganga) (lit. the river with three courses) was at the outset established there as the deity. That river originating from the foothills of Soma flows in seven channels. 

28. Golden sacrificial posts studded with jewels have been scattered there. Shakra performed a sacrifice there along with all the Devas and attained Siddhi (spiritual enlightenment). 

29. The luminous Milky way that is seen at night in the firmament near clusters of stars is the divine goddess, the Tripathaga1 (the Ganga). 

            1. Are the three ways of Gangå its three stages?

                        (1) Milky way in the sky, (2) Snowy or glacial Gangå.

                        (3) Fluvial Ganga.

 These are the three stages of the formation of that river which are symbolised in the legend of the descent of Ganga (Gangavatarana). The heavenly Ganges (Akasha Ganga) is a poetic name for the galaxy in the north. But the blocking up of the Gangå in the tresses of Shiva (mentioned in V.30 and 35) is the Snowy or glacial stage and the melting of the snowfields and glaciers is the release of the Gangå. The legendary part played by king Bhagiratha in bringing the Gangā to the scorched plains of northern Bharata is still shrouded in mystery. 

30. Sanctifying the heaven and the firmament, the celestial river fell on the head of Bhava (god Shiva) and got blocked up by means of his Yogic Maya. 

31. The lake Bindusaras was formed by those few drops of water that fell from the infuriated Ganga. Therefore, it is remembered as Bindusaras. 

32. Being impeded smilingly by Bhava (Shiva), the river goddess mentally thought of hurling down Shankara. 

33-34. "I shall pierce (the earth)", she thought (to herself), "and enter the netherworlds taking Shankara too along with my current". He understood what she was desirous of doing and having realized her cruel intention, he intended to conceal (absorb) the river within his limbs. 

35-38. He blocked the river on his head as it fell on the ground with great force and velocity. 

In the meantime, he saw the king (i.e., Bhagiratha) in front of him, weary with protruding network of veins and with all his sense-organs overtaken by hunger. Then he remembered the boon granted to him. He thought—"I have been propitiated by this king earlier for the sake of the river (Ganga)". Then he recollected the words of Brahmã that he had heard-"Hold the celestial river"; thereupon he controlled his anger. On being propitiated by means of severe penance, he set river free for the sake of Bhagiratha. He released the river that had been blocked by his own prowess. 

39-41. On being released, the river began to flow in seven channels.1 Three of them flowed towards the east and three to the west. The river Gangă flows through seven channels. The Nalini, Hrådini and Pavani are those which flow towards the east. The Sitā, the Chakşhus and the Sindhu flow towards the west. The seventh among them followed Bhagiratha towards the south. 

1. M. Ali. (p. 69) identifies Nalini, Hrådini and Pāváni—the east flowing rivers-with the Yangtse, Mekong and Salween, the rivers flowing to the west, viz. the Sitā, the Chakşhus and the Sindhu with the Yarkand, the Shyok and the Indus, while the southern river Bhagirathi is the Gangå. De however identifies Sitā with the Jazartes (p. 181) and the Chaksus with the Oxus or Amudaria (p. 43). 

 42. Hence that river is Bhagirathi. It joined the salt sea. All these seven (channels, rivers) sanctify the sub-continent named Hima. 

43-45. Originating from the lake Bindusaras, those seven splendid rivers flow over different climes almost all of them being the lands of the Mlecchas (Barbarous tribes) and reach the place where Vásava (Indra) showers, namely the lands of Shilindhras, Kuntalas, Cīnas, Barbaras, Yavanas. Andhakas, Puşhkaras, Kulindas and Ancholadvicharas* (?). After dividing the land of simhavån in three parts, the river Sitå flowed into the western ocean. 

*Anga-loka-varash cha ye, in Va.P.48, 43a.

46-47a. The river Chakşhus flows over the following climes viz. Cinamarus, the Tālas, the Chamasamülikas, the Bhadras, the Tuşhāras, the Lamyakas, the Bählavas, the Parațas and the Khashas. Then it falls into the sea. 

47b-49a. The Sindhu flows over the following territories, viz. the Daradas, along with the Kaśhmiras, the Gandhäras, the Raurasas, the Kuhas, the Shivasailas, the Indrapadas, the Vasati, (?) the Visarjamas* (?), the Saindhavas, the Randhrakarakas, the Shamathas, the Abhiras, the Rohakas, the Shunamukhas and the Urddhvamarus. 

* Vå.P.48.45 reads: vadatimshca visarjayam |

49b-52. The Gangă sanctifies the following praiseworthy countries (climes) viz. the lands of the Gandharvas, Kinnaras, Yakşhas, Räkşhasas, Vidyadharas and the Nägas, the residents of Kalapagrāma, the Paradas, the Tadgaņas (their cousin tribes), the Khashas, the Kirätas, the Pulindas, the Kurus, the Bharatas, the Panchalas, the Kashis, the Matsyas, the Magadhas, the Angas, the Suhmottaras, the Vangas and the Tamraliptas. Thereafter, obstructed by the Vindhya (?) it falls into the briny sea. 

53-55. Then the sacred Hradini flows towards the east flooding the banks on either side, the territories of the Naishadhas, the Trigartakas, the Dhivaras (fishermen), the Rushīkas, the Nīlamukhas (bluefaced) the Kekaras, the Aushtrakarņas, the Kiratas, the Kalodaras, the Vivarnas (outcastes), the Kumaras and the Svarṇabhūmikas** (the golden grounds) that had been covered up to the extent as far as the seashore on the east. 

** Vå.P.48.52: Svarnabhüshitan, 'who are beautified with gold ornaments 

56-57. Then, the river Pávani too flows towards the east flooding the Supathas, the Indradyumna lake, the Kharapathas and the Vetrashankupathas. Through the middle of Janaki*** it flows over the Kuthaprāvaraņas. It enters the ocean of Indradvipa, the briny sea. 

*** Vå.P.48.55a. Madhyenodydna-makaran 

58-61a. Then the river Nalini flows rapidly towards the east sanctifying the countries of the Tomaras, the Hamsamārgas and the Haihayas; piercing through the mountains in various places it flows over various eastern territories. After reaching the Karnaprăvaranas, it flows over the Shvamukhas because they are contiguous. After flowing over desert regions abounding in sand dunes, it flows over the Vidyadhara lands. It enters the briny sea after flowing through the mountainous territories. 

61b-62. These rivers have hundreds and thousands of tributaries. All of them flow there where Vásava showers. There is a well-known fragrant (Surabhi) forest on the banks of the Vasvaukashă (?) 

63. The scholarly Kauberaka (son of Kubera) of great self-control stays on Hiranyaśhrunga (Golden Peak). He practises the performance of Yajñas. He is very great and valorous, and his strength and splendour cannot be measured. 

64. He is surrounded by those scholarly Brahma-Rakşhasas who stay there. It is declared that these four followers of Kubera are on a par with one another. 

65. The prosperity of the residents of the mountain should also be known in the same manner. In regard to virtue, love and wealth each is double than the former (?) 

66-67a. On the top of the Hemakūta there is a lake named Varchovăn.1 Two rivers viz. the Manasvini and the Jyotişhmati rise from it and they flow on either side falling into the eastern and the western seas. 

1. Noted as Lake Shayană or Näga in other Purånas is the Lake 'Nak Tso' which with Pangong Tso forms an extensive water-sheet-M.Ali.p.71. 

67b-68a. There is a lake named Vişhnupada2 on the excellent mountain Nişhadha.

Two rivers rise from it. They are the Gandharvi and the Nakuli. 

2. Modern Lake Chakmaktin, the source of the Wakhan river which flows west in the land of Gandharvas. It is in the Wakhan region that Meru and Nişhadha come closest to each other. -M. Ali. (p. 71). 

68b-69a. There is a great deep lake at the side of the Meru called Chandra-Prabha. 

The sacred river Jambů rises from it. It is remembered that Jämbúnada (gold) is obtained from it. (The gold obtained from it is called Jämbúnada). 

69b-70a. The lake Payoda1 is on the mountain Nila. It is very clear, and it abounds in lotuses. Two rivers rise from it, viz, the Pundarika and the Payodå. 

1. M.Ali. (p.71) identifies it with the Kara Kul of northern Pamirs. It is a twin-lake mentioned as Payoda and Pundarika (like lakes Månasasarovara and Rakshasa Tal in the Kailăsa region). 

70b-71a. The sacred Sarayů flows from the mountain Shveta. 

It is indeed from the Mänasa lake that the two rivers Jyotsnå and Mrugakåmā have originated. 

71b-73. In the Kurus is the lake well known as Rudrakänta.2 It abounds in lotuses, fishes and (aquatic) birds-It is created by Bhava. There are twelve other deep lakes here. They are well known by the name Jaya. They abound in lotuses, fishes and (aquatic) birds and they are like seas. 

From them two rivers, the Shanta and the Madhvi have originated. 

2. These are lakes in Siberia. It shows that the Puranic authors had some idea that there were big lakes in that region. I doubt Ali's identification of the Balkash and the Baikal with the Jaya Lake. 

74. In the sub-continents Kimpuruşha etc., the lord does not shower rains. Excellent rivers flow here with waters that pierce through the ground.  

75. The following three mountains of great knotty ridges extend towards the east. They are immersed under the briny sea. They are the Ruşhabha, the Dundubhi and the great mountain Dhūmra. 

76. The mountains of great lofty cliffs—the Chandra, the Kaka and the Droņa extend towards the north. In the northern end they are immersed under the salt sea. 

77. The mountains Somaka, Varáha and the Närada extend towards the west where they have entered the briny sea. 

78. These great mountains--the Chakra, the Baláhaka and the Mainåka, extend towards the southern sea. 

79-81. In between the Chakra and the Mainaka in the south-east quarter, there is the fire named Samvartaka. It drinks the water. This sub-marine fire is known by the name Aurva. It has the face of a mare. These twelve mountains had entered the briny sea formerly because of the fear of getting their wings chopped. They were terrified by Mahendra. This is seen in the white (i.e., circular moon on the full Moon night) moon in the shape of a black rabbit (or deer and a rabbit). 

82-84. The different divisions of Bharata have been recounted. They are nine. What has been narrated here is seen elsewhere too. The sub-continents vie with one another in regard to good qualities, health, span of life, piety, love and wealth. The living beings are endowed with merits. In the different subcontinents different classes of people live in the different parts. Thus, this earth sustains the cosmos stationed in the universe (i.e. the whole of this universe).