________________
96
THE WIDTH OF BHARATA
which flows through its northern archway, is the Narakāntā. That, which rises from Mahā Pundarika and flows through its southern archway, is the Nari. That, which flows through its northern archway, is the Rūpyakūļā. That, which rises from Pundarīka and flows through its southern archway, is the Suvarnakūlā. That, which flows through its eastern arohway, is the Raktā. And that, which flows through its western archway, is the Raklodā.
Their tributaries are enumerated in the next sutra.
चतुर्दशनदीसहस्रपरिवृता गङ्गासिन्ध्वादयो नद्यः ॥ २३ ॥ Caturdaśanadisahasraparivstā gangāsindhvādayo nadyaḥ (23)
23. The Gangā, the Sindhu, etc. are rivers having 14,000 tributaries.
Why should the Gangā and the Sindhu be mentioned ? It is in order to include the.rivers. The rivers, which are the subject of description, are naturally included. It should not be considered so. The sutra has reference only to the immediately preceding rule or exception. According to this principle this would include only the western rivers. The term 'Gangādi' would include only the eastern rivers. Hence 'Gangāsindhvādi' is used in order to include both. 'Nadi' is used in order to associate twice the number. The Gangā has 14,000 tributaries. The Sindhu also has 14,000. Similarly, the others in the other regions have twice the number of tributaries up to Videha. Beyond that the tributaries are less by half the number. The expanse of the regions described is mentioned next. a: rslaglagtstagarett: Rantaविंशतिभागा योजनस्य
1 28 11 Bharataḥ şaqvimšatipañcayojanašatavistāraḥ
șațcai konavimšatibhāgā yojanasya (24) 24. Bharata is 526 yojanas in width.
That which has twenty-six in addition is şadviņšāni. That which is 526 yojanas in width is Bharata. Is it only so much? No. yojana is added to it.
The widths of the other regions are indicated next.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
