________________
XCVIII
Kavyanusasana
+
Ṣrīmāla, let us, before we come to the religious and political history, see if it is possible to have an historical and more rational account of this place-name. In all the four names viz. Bhinna or Bhillamāla, Srīmāla, Pushpamāla and Ratnamala-the word mala is common. Now the word māla has three meanings - a forest between two villages, a hilly piece of land and a mlechchha jāti - a non- aryan foreign or aboriginal tribe. All the three meanings will suit the context, but the name of Kaliyuga viz. Bhillamala seems to be the first historical name while the others are laudatory names. It is a known fact that many tracts become known by the name of the tribes who reside there. This particular tract in the beginning must have been occupied by the aborigines known as Bhillas and Malas and must have therefore been known as Bhillamala. As the city prospered, its proud dwellers must have tried to change the name to Srimala, though, as we have seen before, Brahmagupta the famous astronomer of the early part of the seventh century A. D. calls himself a Bhillamalakacharya. The frequent troubles, according to the Purāņa and local tradition, caused by the Rakshasas to the city might have been nothing else than the rebellions of these Bhillas and Mālas who were deprived of their possessions. One of the holy places described by the S. Purana bears the name of Kairata Lake, that is a lake sacred to a Kirata or Bhilla. X
+See Abhidhana-Chintamani.
माला भिल्लाः किराताश्च सर्वेऽपि म्लेच्छजातयः ॥ का. ४, श्लो. ५९८. and मालं ग्रामान्तराटवी । का. ४. लो. २९॥ According to Mallinâtha (M. D. V. 16 ) मालं शैलप्रायमुन्नतस्थलम् ।
× See A. 19. The name of the Kirata was Jhinjhira.
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