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· THE SIX MOUNTAIN RANGES
regions. Where is Himavan? It is on the borders of Bharata and Haimavata. It is one hundred yojanas in height. The height of Mahāhimavan dividing Haimavata and Hari is two hundred yojanas. Nişadha, which is south of Videha and north of Hari, is four hundred yojanas in height. The other three mountain chains dividing the other regions have been described already. Their heights are four hundred, two hundred and one hundred yojanas. In the case of all these mountains, the foundation is one-fourth of the height. The next sutra describes their colours.
हेमार्जुनतपनीयवैडूर्यरजतहेममयाः Hemārjunatapaniyavaidūryarajatahemamayāḥ (12) 12. They are of golden, white (like purified gold), blue, silvery and golden in colour.
These mountains are like gold etc. in colour, Himavan is of golden colour like that of the Chinese silk. Mahāhimavan is of white colour. Nişadha is of the colour of the rising sun. Nila is blue like the neck of the peacock. Rukmi is silvery white. Sikhari is golden in colour like that of the Chinese silk.
Again other details are given in the next sutra.
मणिविचित्रपार्था उपरि मूले च तुल्यविस्ताराः ॥ १३ ॥ Manivicitrapārsvā upari mūle ca tulyavistārāḥ
(13) 13. The sides of these mountains) are studded with various jewels, and the mountains are of equal width at the foot, in the middle and at the top.
The sides of these mountains are of variegated colour, being studded with precious stones of different colours. Uparyādi is intended to exclude unwanted shape. Ca is intended to include the middle The breadth is the same at the foot, in the middle and at the top.
The lakes situated on the tops of these mountains are mentioned next.
पनमहापयतिगिन्छकेसरिमहापुण्डरीकपुण्डरीका हृदास्तेषामुपरि ॥ १४ ॥
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