________________
FEB. 2, 1872.]
MANDARA HILL.
03
extending along the side of the mountain, and pre- sently reached an assemblage of projecting rocks that overhung us. In the centre of this assemblage was a huge and hideous figure, or rather its head only, for the body does not appear below the neck; it is of larger dimensions than life, cut out of the rock, which has been hollowed on both sides for the purpose, and a flight of stone steps leads up to it from the channel below. The native pandits who inhabit the mountain, as likewise some
andits whom we brought from the Masudan . Cath in the plain below, informed me that the
gure was a demon, and was called in their Purá- nas by the name of Madhu Raksha. It is stated in the Markandiya Purana, that this demon was pro- duced on the mountain Mandara from the ears of the god Vishnu at the creation of the world, and having shortly after his birth attempted the life of Brahma, or the creating power, was, together with another demon, punished for his presumption, and driven from the world above to the depths below. The figure now seen was
The following are the names of the Kundas (or cisterns) that adorn this singular mountain1. Gambhira Kunda. 7. Akdak Gangá. 2. Kichera Kunda.
8. Kamala Kunda. 8. Huma Kunda.
9. Suraj Kunda, 4. Lukshman Kunda. 10. Nath Kunda. 5. Kali Kunda,
11. Shankha Kunda. 6. Sità Kunda.
12. Pouphur (Papharni] Kund + Extract from the Mandara Mahatmya, or Excellencies
of Mandara, from the Varáha Purana, or Legend of
the Fourth Incarnation of Vishnu. After salutation and obeisance to Krishna ! it is asked by Skanda, son of Mahadeva, "O Bhagawan, thou hast spoken already of all things, of Tirtha (place of pilgrimage) and Hari Tirtha, Banararya Tirtha (kasi), of Jagannatha, of Prayaga, and of Chakra Tirtha. I am now desirous to learn from thee the nature and situation of Mandara: relate this at full length, O chief of the Devatas, for thou art worthy to relate it 1"
Shri Mahertoara, the divinity, replied, "O son, who art acceptable, by this inquiry thou wilt gratify thy heart. Know then that amongst the places of Worship, Mandara is the greatest in the world. It is the place of residence of (various) holy persons of pure dispositions of Lakshmi, with eyes like the lotus and heart-attracting. This place is the end or destruction of the malignant demon Madhu, whose fall was celebrated with songs of joy from the holy Vedas by all the Devatas, therefore no place of worship is superior in sanctity to Mandara : Mandare covered with beautiful flowers, the place where the Devatas reverence the footstep of thee, O Vishnu! Where Brama himself was produced from the lotus, and where he paid worship and adoration at the feet of Mahadeva and Vishnu. There also dwells the goddess Deví, beautiful as the flower of the lotus, and delicate as the plant thereof. Kapila Muni, after reciting the praises of the mountain, has here taken up his abode. Freely enquire thou of everything, O my son, and ask thy desire. The praises of Vishnu are a thousandfold. Kapila Muni, sitting in the esteemed place, performing his reverence to the asylum of the worla (Vishnu), the prince then says, “ Bhagands (Mahadera), by strenuous exertions, aided by those of my own family, I have subdued the whole world, and brought its seven divisions under obedience. The works which I have performed would be difficult to detail. Those deeds which I have made manifeat are inscribed at the palace gate. Often have the princes of my family, clad in bright armour, destroyed their enemies; they have punished the presumption of the princes of the earth. Now I am growing old and infirm, and am therefore desirous of worshipping thy footsteps, O Vishnu / From decay of my strength I have lost that ac tivity which I was wont to possess my accustomed sense
MEG A
cut to represent this occurrence, but by whom I could not learn. Near the figure of the demon is another large figure cut in the rock, called by the natives Váman; it is connected with one of the Hindu avatárcs, or incarnations of the divinity, which is named from the dwarf, whose form Vishnu had assumed. Another figure, lower down the rock, is also to be seen, called Narasinha.
About 20 yards eastwards of Malhu Raksha is an excavation in the rocks, forming one of the Kundas or cisterns. which abound in this singular mountain : it is called Akash Gangá (or sky river). In it is a perpetual spring of clear and sweet water, but of shallow depth. The natives affirm that it is never dry, but that, if it be completely emptied, it will fill again of itself : a curious circumstance, if correct; for the bed of the nearest river must be at least a thousand feet from the place where this cistern is found. The name is emphati meaning in Sanskrit "sky river" Near this cistern is a save on the side of a rock, in which a faqir [yogi) constantly resides. of hearing, as likewise my eye-sight, have failed me, and neither wisdom nor understanding remain; my body is Wasted and my flesh and blood decay ! Acquaint me, therefore, O Brahman, in what manner I shall obtain relief from these infirmities."
Bhagavdn replied, " Know, O Rájá, that there is a heartattracting place of worsbip, where the wind blows with violence on all sides; a temple as yet hidden from the view of mankind. It is Mandara, the greatest in the world; there Vishnu rosides for ever : he who destroyed the wellknown malignant demon Madhu. It was Bhagavin who cast him underground, and without difficulty placed the mountain Mandara on his head, an everlasting birden! Therefore, O Raja, is Vishnu the sovereign of all the Devatas. Basudan Math is also well known; it is permanent on its own mountain of Mandara : the sinner and the sin shall find equal absolution at Mandara.
# Whoever, Raja, shall in future visit Mandara with reverence, that person shall be aceptable to the god, and be absolved from his sins by the grace of Vishnu. In Janbudsipa there are many places of worship. Bhagavan penetrates everywhere he resides in no particular place neither here in Mandara, nor in Koil, nor Prabhas, nor Gaumati, nor Dwaraka, nor in Prayag, but everywhere. At this place the spirit of Bhagavan was produced, where he assumed the form of Ráma, the omnipotent in the house of Dasaratha ; here he released imprisoned souls from their sins and slew the demons. Repair thither, O Rájá, for
The Raja answered, " O Bhagavan, in what manner shall I reside there? Relate this to me at length, thou who art the protector of those who reverence thee."
Bhagavdn replied, "Mandara is conspicuous for a spaciosu reservoir, situated at the foot of the mountain, wherein those who bathe shall become united to Vishnu. The water flows from the rock of holy quality, glittering like light derived from one source. O Raja, that reservoir is manohar (heartattracting). At that place, sinners who bathe therein, shall, with their relatives and descendants, be absolved from sin and sickness; fast therefore, O Raja ! for one day, and then bathe, and be united to Vishnu. The act of ablution at this place is equivalent to the facrifice of an Aswamedha yuga at Ehe place where Rama mourned his deceased father. Here is, half way up the mountain, another reservoir, whose waters glitter like gold; at sight of that water grief is dispelled from the heart. It flows from the mountains. Whenever thou visitest this mountain, be thou absteunious in thy soul, O Raje, and bathe therein before the great guardian of mankind (Jagat guru), whose residence is on the summit on the south side of the mountain. He who shall yield up his soul at this place shall be a baolved from his sins; and he who shall voluntarily relinquish the pleasures of this world, shall acquire
Bhagat rayag, but
Dasarathahe form of
sinine own benefit red,
Bhagarant length, tho
hali
