Holy Abu

SR No.: 023259
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jayantvijay
Publisher: Yashovijay Jain Granthmala
Publication Year: 1954
Total Pages: 380
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 14 MB

Page 88

Arbudachala 1
5
or upheaval is hinted at. The Mahabharata also refers to a Randhra (chasm, or crater of volcano) at Ābu.1 The possibility of there having existed volcanic activity at Ābu is further suggested by the name Arbuda which also means swelling, tremor, polypus or foetus. Even today local people believe that Ābu shakes every year. 2 The Mahābhārata also refers to the Asrama of Vasishtha at Ābu.
The Abu area, according to the great epic Mahabharata and the older Purāņas like the Vayu Purāņa, Matsya Purāṇa, Brahmaṇḍapurāṇa or the Vishnu Purāṇa, has been regarded (by ancient writers), as a part of Aparanta or the Western end or coast of India and the Arbudas are generally grouped along with the Anartta country (Anarttas). The Anartta country is modern North Gujarat whose capital was Ānarttapura or modern Vaḍanagara. The Arbuda country has generally been associated with which are now spoken of as Gujarat or Maha-Gujarat in as much as the Puranas include in the list of Aparanta countries such parts as the Nasikyas, the mid-Narmada regions, the Bhārukachchhas, Maheyas (on the Mahī), the Sarasvatas (sarasvata mandala round Paṭan, Modhera etc.), the Kachchhīkas (Kachchha) the Saurashtras and Ānarttas.
1 ततो गच्छेत धर्मज्ञं हिमवत्सुतमर्बुदम् ।
पृथिव्यां यत्र वै छिद्रं पूर्वमासीद्युधिष्ठिर ॥ ६७ ॥ तत्राश्रमो वसिष्ठस्य त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुत: । तत्रोष्य रजनीमेकां गोसहस्रफलं लभेत् ॥ ६८ ॥
-MBH Vanaparva, 80. 57-58. Puranoman Gujarat, by Umashankar Joshi ( Ahmedabad, 1946), p. 16.
3
2
Mahabharata, Adiparva, 210. 1-2; Matsya Purana, 114. 50-51; Brahmanda Purana, 16. 60-62; Märkandeya Purana, 54. 59-62; Vayu Purana, 45. 128-131; Brahma Purana, 25. 58-59. For further particulars, see Purāṇomān Gujurat, by Umashankara Joshi (Ahmedabad, 1946), pp. 5-13, 14-21.