Page:Report of a Tour Through the Bengal Provinces of Patna, Gaya, Mongir and Bhagalpur; The Santal Parganas, Manbhum, Singhbhum and Birbhum; Bankura, Raniganj, Bardwan and Hughli in 1872-73.djvu/148

124 found in the Mahábhárat Adi Parvan, Chap. 63, V.V. 29–38, which I translate:—

This valuable passage establishes (1st) that the Kolahala range of mountains was not far from the puri of the Rájá, and (2nd) that the Saktimati river passes through a gap in the range. As a matter of fact, the Sakri river does pass through a rather large gap in the range of which the portion to the east of the river is still called the Kawa Kol mountains, and these hills are not far from Girivraja or Râjgir; it therefore appears probable that the river known now as the Sakri is the Saktimati, and the Kolahala or Konwa range is the Kawa Kol range.

But we know from numerous instances that a river took its name from the mountain whence it issued, as for instance, Mekhalanandini, a name of the Narmmada, from the Mekhala hills; and Mainakaprabha for the Son from the Mainaka mountain; and the Ganges is well known as the daughter of Himâlaya; and as the Pauranic lists mention a range of hills as the Saktimat range, there seems little doubt that it is the name of that range which gives rise to the Saktimati river.

As a matter of fact, the Saktimati, or Sakri, river rises in the range to the south of the Kawa Kol range, and passes through, or at least hugs, the foot of the Kawa Kol range for several leagues before emerging into the plains; hence the