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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
married Rupdebâi, daughter of Odhâ Khâchar, and by her he had two sons, Bâvdo and Nagpal. The descendants of Nagpâl are called Hâlikâs, and they live in the village of Wardi, under Dhandhuka. Bavdo married a Khâchar lady named Modebâi, and had by her two sons, Jadro and Kâlo. The descendants of Kâlo are called Kherdias, and live in the Dhandhuka village of Wavḍi. Jadro married. Satubâi, daughter of Jethsur Khâchar, and had by her one son, Nâho. Nâho married Raibâi, daughter of Kâlâ Khâchar, by whom he had one son, Gângo. From Gango sprung Dhâdho of the Dhandhuka village of Samadhiâlâ. He bestowed on Châran Rakha lakh pasáv in charity, and his descendants were styled Dhâdhâni. They are to be found at Samadhiâlâ aforesaid, and also at Devsar and Pepliâ under Chotila in Kathiâvâd, and at Anandpûr and Mewâsâ in the same province. Dhâdho married a daughter of Mehrâm Khâchar named Modebâi, and had by her a son named Nâho. The descendants of Nâho are called Rephḍias, as they resided at and enjoyed the village of Rephḍi under Dhandhuka. Naho married Mankbai, daughter of Kânâ Khâchar, and had by her two sons, Gângo and Viso. Viso's descendants are called Viramkhâs, and hold lands in the Dhandhuka village of Goriâ. Gângo married Dhandebai, daughter of another Kâna Khachar, by whom he had eight sons, viz. Kumpo, Khimo, Kheho, Sângo, Suro, Nâgdan, Surang, Kâno. Of these the eldest, Kumpo, married Rândebâi, daughter of Râm Khâchar, and had by her ten sons, viz. Ugo, Nagsio, Devdâs, Budho, Gângo, Mâncho, Râm, Selâr, Jâdro, Dâho. Of these the eldest son, Ugo, married Rândebâi, daughter of Karapda Kândhâ.
The history of the two snake shrines at Thân is as follows:
Brahmâ had a son named Mârchi, whose son was Kasyapa. Kasyapa had a hundred sons by a Naga Kanya, the chief of whom were Seshji, Wâsukhi (corrupted into Wâsangji), Banduk (corrupted into Bândiâ Beli), Dhumråksh, Pratik, Pandarik, Takshak, Airavat, Dhritarashtra, &c. &c.
Five Rishis; named Karnâv, Gâlav, Angira, Antath, and Brihaspati (all sons of Brahma), during the Treta Yuga set out on a pilgrimage round the world, and in the course of their wandering came to Deva Panchal land, and encamping in the forest of Pâpâpnod, near
[JULY, 1875.
Thân, determined to perform here religious austerities. They accordingly commenced their ceremonies by performing the Brahmyadna (or adoration to Brahma by means of the sacrificial fire). Information of their intention having reached Bhimâsur, who reigned at Bhimpuri, the modern Bhimora, he determined to throw obstacles in their way, and with this view commenced to annoy them, and owing to his persecution the Rishis were obliged to remove their residence to the banks of Panchkundi tank, close to Thân, and there commence their penance. Their austerities were so severe that Brahma was pleased with them, and appeared before them in person. On this the Rishis implored him to destroy Bhimâsur Daitya. Brahma replied that Bhimâsur was destined to die at the hands of Śeshji, Wâsukhi, and others of the snake family, and that therefore they should address their prayers to them. So saying, Brahma became invisible, and the Rishis besought the snake deities to aid them, and the whole snake family appeared in answer to their entreaties. The Rishis requesting them to destroy Bhimâsur, Seshji at once started for Bhimpuri, and there by the force of his poison slew Bhimâsur, and returning informed the Rishis of his death. They overwhelmed him with thanks, and begged him to reside constantly in Thân for their protection. As Seshji was king of Pâtâl, he was unable to comply with their request; he however ordered his brothers Wâsukhi (Wâsangji) and Banduk (or Bândiâ Beli) to remain at Thân and Mândhavgadh respectively; and accordingly these two snake brethren took up their residence at Thân and Mândhavgaḍh respectively, where their shrines are to this day. Śeshji then became invisible. To the present day no one is allowed to cut a tree in the grove that surrounds Bândia Beli's shrine, and it is said that should any one ignorantly cut a stick in this grove, the snake appears to such person in his dreams and orders him to return the stick, and should he fail therein, some great calamity shortly befalls him; and in fact in or near this grove may be seen many such logs or sticks accidentally cut and subsequently returned. Some of the more famous snake brethren are (1) Seshji, lord of Pâtâl, (2) W âsukhi, (3) Banduk, all mentioned above, (4) Kâli Naga-this brother was a snake of renown; he first resided in the Kâlandrio pool of the Jamnâ river near
