Critical Study Of Paumacariyam

SR No.: 022643
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: K R Chandra
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology and Ahimsa
Publication Year: 1970
Total Pages: 672
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English & Book_Devnagari
File Size: 18 MB

Page 570

GEOGRAPHICAL PLACES, PEOPLES AND TRIBES
i. e. nearly 200 to 300 miles in breadth. It is divided into northern Vijayardha and Southern Vijayardha. Both the regions are said to be the territories of the Vidyadharas (3.150-161).
About the position of the Vijayardha the JP (1.12) mentions that it divides India into two halves, Uttarardha and Daksiņārdha1. The TSP (I. p. 173) mentions that it is placed like a measuring rod between the east and the west, touching the waters on both the sides and from north to south spreading to the extent of 50 Yojanas. It is embraced by the rivers Ganges and Sindhu. Thus it is clear that the Vijayardha system of mountains divides India into two parts. It touches waters of the ocean on the east and the west and it contains several Vidyadhara kingdoms.
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The PCV further mentions that Khemapura (Kşemapura) was situated in Daksinabharata (103.7). The TP (4.114) refers to Kṣemampura situated in the Dakṣiņa Vijayardha. Both the towns seem to be identical and thus Daksinņabharata indicates the region lying to the south of the Vijayardha mountains. Pratiṣṭhānapura is mentioned as a Khecara town (103.138) and it is identified with a place situated on the river Godavari which in the broader sense flows in its upper course through the Vindhya system or the slopes of the Vindhyas terminating into a plateau towards the south. Similarly Candrāvartapura (13.37) is called a town of the Khecaras. It is identified with Candapura in Bilaspura state i. e. the Vindhya region.
The PCV further mentions some towns situated on the Dakṣiņa Vijayārdha. They are Ratnapura, Cakrapalapura and Kancanapura. The first has been identified with a place 16 miles north of Bilasapura, the second with a place near Wardha and the third with Bhuvaneswar. All these places are situated to the south of the great system of mountains spreading from the Vindhya proper onwards to the east.
Guñjavidhananagara ruled by a Vidyadhara lord, is said to be situated on the northern Vijayārdha (101. 56). It can be identified with Gunji a small village in the Chattisagarh division of Madhya Pradehsa. A record of 2nd Cent. A. D. is discovered in this area. This region flourished in the centuries before and after Christian era (HGAI, p. 316).
The TP locates Mekhalag rapura (4. 114) in the Vijayardha. It may be a place to the south of the Maikala mountains.
1.
See GP, (4.107f) also.