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CULTURAL DATA IN TILAKAMANJARI
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musical sound and flow with golden fluids on the earth. The fluid collected from these fruits flows into streams and circumambulating Meru reaches the Uttarakuru varsa (It is mentioned in the Vedic and later Brahmanical literature as a country situated somewhere north of Kashmir. It is mentioned in the Bhāgavata Purāņa (I. 16. 12) as the country of northern Kurus. Some call it a mythical region. The Kurudvīpa mentioned in the Dīpavansa (p. 16) may be taken to be identified with Uttarakuru. Tidasapura was city of Uttarakuru according to the Vinaya commentary. The Lalitavistara (p. 19) refers to Uttarakuru as a Pratyanta dvīpa)1. Having partaken of this fluid the people of that range become immortals. Thirst and old age does not pester them. From this Jambūnadi (river) the gold named Jambū is obtained which is an ornament of the gods. It is ruddy and shining like the cochineal insect (Indragopa)."2
Since Meru is Rudra Himālaya in Garhwal where Gangā springs near Badarikāśrama and Uttarakuru was to the south of Nīlagiri (Dardura) and north of Meru (the Rudra Himālaya), the trees called Kșīrīs giving milk that was naturally sweet, the sand there being gold producing, the seasons there being moderate whole the year long, we can identify these groves with pañcanadāranya of Dandī extending from Nīlagiri to Hindukush and spreading all over the Rudra Himālaya in Garhwal, moving finally over to Punjab (Kashmir to Simla hills) etc.
Nandana vana also named amarakānana' has been referred to. It was a divine grove from where 200000 nymphs or celestial maidens had come to Bhararta for welcoming his army at the invocation of Bhāradvāja. Rāvana had destroyed it. It was full of trees that fructified whole the year long. When engaged in fight with Rāvana and injured, Kubera had been brought to its grove.
The outer garden named Mattakokila where Harivāhana accompanied by Samaraketu went for a stroll on one summer morning, has been described as clung to the shores of Sarayū.“
1. KSN. p. 11 2. Mhb. Kosa Part. pp.141 3. TM Vol. III. p. 11, Sm, ed. p. 421. 4. KSN p. 112 5. Rām. Kośa p. 164. 6. H
o lchi 714 741791 TM Vol. II. p. 235. TM Vol. II. p. 288.
