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54
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[FEB. 2, 1872.
At 11 A. m., reached our breakfast tent at the footsists of large blocks of stone: the emblem of Mahaof the mountain, highly pleased and gratified with deva is to be seen in the remains of a small stone this day's work. It may be better imagined than chamber. The building is called Kamdhenu Náth, described what an appearance the collected waters and is connected with the worship of the other temof these respective reservoirs, when overflowed at ple. To a considerable extent around the mountain the period of the solstitial rains, must present to the are the remains of ruined temples, which in ancient view, traversing the sides of the mountain in all times, and during the splendour of the Hindu Godirections, flashing with a violence totally irresisti- vertiment, must have greatly contributed to enhance ble, over the surface of the rocky declivities and the beauty and amenity of the situation of Mandara other parts, until their fina! discharge into the Pou- hill. The tradition prevalent asserts, that there was phur' and other receptacles in the plain below. a large city in the neighbourhood. East of the Math
Kamdhenu or the Parent Cow.--About a mile to the Kamdhenu is a mutilated image of the goddess east, on the skirts of the hill, stands the Kamdhenu | Kali, of blue stone, near 7 feet in height. Though Nath or pagoda, being a small square temple built the principal figure in the centre has been destroyed of stone with a roof of brick. The temple contains by bigot hands, the head only remaining, several the igare of Kamdhenu, or the parent cow of the of the figures of smaller dimensions on the sides Hindus, well known in Sanskrit records to have remain entire: some of them are well executed. been one of the fourteen ratnas (or gems) produced Athick forest encompasses the hill Mandara on by the churning of the ocean in the white sea, in three sides : it is only accessible from the southwhich operation the mountain Mandara served as & east. I conjecture its circumference to be about 4 churning-staff.
miles, and its height from the base to the summit The figure of the cow is in height 3 feet 4 inches; 1 mile 2 furlongs. in length, from the forehead to the tip of the tail, Near. Pouphurs taldu, a short distance up the 6 feet 3 inches; in girth 5 foet. Round the hump rock to the N.W., are several very large inscripof the animal is & necklace of flowers by way of tions cut in the rock, but in a character of which I ornament; two small calves, in stone, are taking could procure no accountt...... There are other milk from the mother. The figure is cut out of a inscriptions to be seen, both above and below, in solid block of light grey stone, and stands on a different parts of the mountain. I should suspect, pedestal ; its execution, though proportionate in its if they are ever deciphered, that they will be found parts, is rude, and evidently of high antiquity. The to relate to the worship of the temple called Masstemple is now mouldering fast to ruin.
dan Math. The natives call them Devata Khat or Near this temple is another in ruins, which con- the character of the gods.
NOTES ON THE GONDS MET WITH IN THE SATHPURÄ HILLS, CENTRAL
PROVINCES.
By Mr. C. SCANLAN, ASSISTANT SURVEYOR. The Sathpurás extend to # mean breadth think nothing could induce them to leave their of about seventy miles. They are inhabited by the abodes. The Kirku is a perfect Hindu, though he Gonds and Kirk us, who are a shy, ignorant, and indulges in fowls; while the Gond, who styles very primitive race of men; their predilection for himself a Hindu, is a hybrid between him and a hilly and forest ridden tracts is so great, that I Musalman, for he appretiates his beef. The Gond
a true knowledge of the divine being. The Gandharvas, or heavenly choristers, then approaching, bathed therein, near its seven fountains, an act superior to the triple excellence jatra bhin gundmata Csatayuna, tamagund, and rajaguna). At this place, turning your face to the eastWard, bathe and worship Vishnu at which act the three worlds (tri loka) will rejoice, and every desire will be fulfilled. He who shall worship in this manner shall not return to earth again. So commanded Vishnu. The Gandharvas then commenced a melodious concert, singing and praising the deity. Then go, O Raja I and casting away all cares and passions, repair to the quadrangular reservoir (Lakshman Kund), beautiful as Lakshmi of divine form: there fast thou for five days, since whoever bathos therein, after bathing shall become courageous and worthy to assume sovereign authority. Whilst traversing the sides of this reservoir should he (the penitent) perceive Vishnu sitting on his throne, grief shall then be dispelled from his heart. Finally, 0 Raja ! whoever shall perform the funeral rites of bis deceased ancestors or relatives at this place, their souls shall thereby be gratified for a hundred years."
Of these Kunda, the first six are on the sides and near the summit of the hill, the others are below.
+ The author bere gives" a fac-simile on a smaller scale than the original for the investigation of the learned." Of this inscription, Babu Rajendralkla Mitra remarks, that
judging from its character and subject, he is satisfied that it was a Buddhist record and commemorated the dedication of a statue or a chaity. The character is intermediate between the Gupta and Kutils, and was inscribed probably in the sixth century of the Christian era. The 6th letter of the Brd line was doabtful, so were the last two letters of the last line, but he read the record as follows:
Parambhattarka maharajadhiri. ja shri ugrabhai (?)ra.
vasya deyishaya (7) or deya dharmma. "The highly venerated, the great king, the king of kings, Shri Ugrabhairava dedicated this."-Proc. Asiat Soc. Ben. Nov. 1870, pp. 294, 296.-Ed.
