Page:The Indian Antiquary Vol 1.pdf/71

 FEB. 2, 1872.]

MANDARA HILL.

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 pandits whom we brought from the Masudan Math in the plain below, informed me that the figure was a demon, and was called in their Purā mas by the name of Madhu Raksha. It is stated in

the Markandiya Purána, that this demon was pro duced on the mountain Mandara from the ears of

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 anatáras, or incarnations of the divinity, which is named from the dwarf, whose form Wi shnu had assumed. Another figure, lower down the rock, is also to be seen, called Narasimha. About 20 yards eastwards of Madhu Raksha

is an excavation in the rocks, forming one of the

Kundas or cisterns, which abound in this singu lar mountain * : it is called Akásh 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 com pletely emptied, it will fill again of itself : a curious

and

circumstance, if correct ; for the bed of the nearest

having shortly after his birth attempted the

river must be at least a thousand feet from the place where this cistern is found. The name is emphatic,

the god Vishnu at the creation of the world,

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

meaning in Sanskrit “sky river” Near this cistern


 * The following are the names of the Kundas (or cisterns)

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

that adorn this singular mountain.— 1. Gambhira Kunda. 7. Akdsh Gangdi. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Kichera Kunda. Huma Kunda. Lukshman Kunda. Kali Kunda. Sita Kunda.

8. 9. 10. 11.

Kamala Kunda. Suraj Kunda. Nath Kunda. Shankha Kunda.

from these infirmities.”

-

12. Pouphur [Papharni) Kund f Extract from the Mandara Mahatmya, or Ercellencies Jrom the Warāha Purána, or Legend of the Fourth Incarnation of Vishnu.

£º

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, Banarasya Tirtha {{...i. of º tha, of Prayaga, and of Chakra Tirtha. I am now desirous to learn from thee the nature and situation of Mandara: relate this at full

lººth, O chief

is a cave on the side of a rock, in which a faqir [yogi] constantly resides.f

of the Devatas, for thou

Bhagarán replied, “Know, O Rajá, that there is a heart attracting place of worship, 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 resides for ever : he who destroyed the well known malignant demon Madhu. It was Bhagavān who cast him under ground, and without difficulty placed the mountain Mandara on his head, an everlasting burden' Therefore, O Raja, is

Vishnu the sovereign of all the

Decatas. Masudan Math is also well known; it is per manent on its own mountain of Mandara : the sinner and

the sin shall find equal absolution at Mandara.

“Whoever, O Raja, shall in future visit Mandara with reverence, that person shall be acceptable to the god, and be In Jambuli.

art worthy to relate it !”

absolved from his sins by the grace of Vishnu.

Shri Maheswara, 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

wipa there are many places of worship. Bhagavan pene

(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 º of worship is superior in sanctity to Mandara : Mandara covered with beautiful flowers, the place where the Deratas reverence the footstep of thee, O Vishnu / Where Brahma himself

was produced from the lotus, and where he paid worship and adoration at the feet of Mahdidera and Vishnu.

trates

everywhere: he resides in no particular place;

neither here in Mandara, nor in Koil, nor Prabhās, nor Gaumati, nor Dwaraka, nor in Prayag, but everywhere. At this place the spirit of Bhagavan was produced, where he assumed the form of Rāma, the omnipotent in the house of Dasaratha : here he released imprisoned souls from their

sins and slew the demons. Repair thither, O Rajá, for thine own benefit.”

The Raja answered, “O Bhagavan, in what manner shall I reside there 2 Relate this to me at length, thou who art the protector of those who reverence thee.”

Bhagarán replied, “Mandara is conspicuous for a spaciosu

There

reservoir, situated at the foot of the mountain, wherein those

also dwells the goddess Devi, beautiful as the flower of the lotus, and delicate as the plant thereof. Kapila Muni, after reciting the praises of d. mountain, has here taken up

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 (heart

his abºde. Freely enquire thou of everything, O my son,

attracting). At that place, sinners who bathe therein, shall,

and ask thy desire. The praises of Vishnu are a thousand fold. , Kapila Muni, sitting in the esteemed place, perform ing his reverence to the asylum of the world (Vishnu), the prince then says, “Q Bhagarán (Mahādeva), by strenuous exertions, aided by those of my own family, I have subdued the whole world, and brought its seven dirisions under obedience. The works which I have performed would be

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 Pacrifice of an Aswamedha yuga at

the place where Rama mourned his deceased father. Here is, half way up the mountain, another reservoir, whose waters litter like gold ; at sight of that water grief is dispelled

difficult to detail. Those deeds which I have made mani

rom the heart. It flows from the mountains. Whenever

fest are inscribed at the palace gate. Often have the princes of my family, ...]". bright armour, destroyed

thou visitest this mountain, be thou abstemious in thy

their enemies; they have punished the presumption of the princes of the earth. Now I am growing old and infirm, ºnd...am therefore desirous of worshipping th footsteps, Q Vishnu. . From decay of my º I have i. that ac tivity which I was wont to possess; my accustomed sense

soul, O. Raja, and bathe therein before the great guar dian 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 absolved from his sins; and he who shall voluntarily relinquish the pleasures of this world, shall acquire -