Appendix 7 - Mountains and Hills mentioned in the Vasudevahindi

MOUNTAINS AND HILLS 708 Amianagiri : (1) Situated between cities Kusaggapura and Campa. Dhammilla, while going from Kusaggapura to Campa was approached by a person who was a resident of a palli situated on this hill [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 56]. Not identified. (2) In the Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa Amjanagiri is referred to in similes. In such instances, which are two, a pyre and a demon are compared to Amjanagiri, which it seems was very black [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.19a, 44b]. In the Avasvaka Curni, it is said to be one of the five main peaks of the Himalaya range, from which big rivers are said to rise. It has been identified with the Sulaiman range. [Jain, op.cit., P.267]. Asitagiri : 'The black mountain'. (1) Situated in the Kosala country near village Ramanijjiya. Here a Jaina monk, who was previously the ruler of the Kosala country is described to have attained omniscience [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 283-84]. (2) Situated in the vicinity of the city of Ujjeni. ⠀ Ujjeni Vasudeva is described, in the Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, to have rescued the princess of Ujjeni from the clutches of a demon on this mountain [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.81a]. Kalamjara : While travelling from Vacchagumma to Kakandi, Vasudeva crossed a river rising in the Kalamjara mountain. Kalamjara, it appears from the description, situated near Was

709 the Vinjha forest [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.220a]. It was also near to the city of Kakamdi which was situated on the southern bank of the Gamga [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.234b]. In the canonical literature also it has been described as being situated between the Ganga and the Mt. Vindhya [Jain, op.cit., P.291]. In the description of the tirthas given in the Vanaparvan [83.53-54] of the Mbh. it appears between the Tungakaranya and the Mt. Citrakuta. has been identified with a fort of the same name in the Banda district of Bundelkhand. [Jain, op. cit., P.291]. It Kikkimdhigiri : Situated somewhere between Vijanathana and Lamka [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 243]. It is the same as Kiskindya of Ramayana, which lay far south of river Godavari, according to Pargiter [MP, P.342]. of Kikkimdhamalaya : 'The kikkimdha mountain'. The Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa describes that in the times of Vasudeva, descendents Suggiva, who was associated with the story of Rama, lived here. In the description given in the story, the author of the Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, imagines it to be virtually a Vasahara (Varsadhara) pavvaya [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.76b], i.e. one of the seven main mountain ranges of India. It is the same as Kikkimdhigiri of the Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa

710 Camdapaya : Situated in the country of Kosala (which is identified with the Mahakoshala region) to the South-West of the Kosalapuri. As the Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa describes, Vasudeva was kidnapped on a magic horse and was brought to this region. Here an attempt was made on his life by a Vidyadhara called Camdapaya. To commemorate Vasudeva's victory over Vidyadhara Camdapaya, the mountain on which the combat was fought was called Candapaya [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, 11.40a]. Culla-Himavamta : 'The minor Himavamta'. It has been described in the Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa as a Vasahara pavvava [1.32a],i.e. one of the seven important mountain ranges of India and was situated to the north of Mt. Veyaddha, on way to the Namdana forest [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa,I.31b]. It was full of the forest of sandal trees and the desire-yielding trees. The Siddhayatanakuda and the Kanakapavvaya were near to this mountain. [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, 1.37a]. The description [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa,31b] that Vasudeva, though he had not taken food for three days, did not feel hungry or thirsty on this mountain, shows how Mt. Himalaya was virtually identified with heaven in ancient Indian literature. Jambuya : Another hill situated in the forest South-West of Kosalapuri, where an attempt was made on the life of Vasudeva. It was named after the Vidyadhara who was defeated by Vasudeva [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.40a]. See Camdapaya.

711 Daddura : Mountain as famous as the Himavanta and the Malaya because of its forest which yielded ingradients for the preparation of unguents [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.56a]. Nagubbheda : A sacred mountain situated near Mt. Simanaga. ni Princess Anlayasa brought her husband Vasudeva to protect herself and him from the wrath of Vidyadhara king Vayuraha [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.25a]. Not identified. Nila : Situated in the forest of Bhimadavi of the country of Kalinga. Vasudeva, while telling about the various sources of jewels, describes that on the top of this mountain was a block of stone, famous by name 'vavadi sila' from which veruliya (Skt. Vaidurya) jewels could be had [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.154a]. Not identified. Mamtharagiri : Situated in Javana visaya. Famous as one of the find-spots of marakata (emerald) jewels [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II. 153a]. Not identified. Mandaragiri : Kakkedana jewels from this mountain are said to be the best [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.153b]. Not identified. Malaura: (Mountain ?). Nagapura, the capital of the Damila country was situated here [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.18a]. Not identified.

712 Malaya : Situated in Dahina Bharaha on the shore of the southern sea [Dahina-samudda] and formed a part of the Damila country [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.154a, 125a]. Its flanks are described to have been hit by the waves of the sea [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.125]. Below it was situated also the Chaliya janapada [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.154a). The forest on Mt. Malaya was full of various types of trees: Malaya, Sala, Malaya, Sala, Lavali, Lavanga, Marica and Pattamga [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.56b, 125b] Vidura, whence the Veruliya jewels (Skt. Vaidurya) were collected was one of the peaks of this mountain [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.125a]. Mahimda : It lay on the shore of the southern sea [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa II.124a] and was famous as a source of Pulaka jewels [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.153b]. After becoming a Vidyadhara, Vasudeva visited this mountain. [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.49a]. Revaya : It was situated on the outskirts of the city of Dvaraka, which is associated with the legend of Kanha Vasudeva [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 77]. In the Puranas it has been counted among the famous hills of India [Markandeya Purana, 54.14] and has been identified with Girnar hill (Jain, Op.cit. P. 328], taking Revaya to be another name of Urjayat hill. Pargiter who takes both these hills to be different identifies Revaya with Barda hills near the coast of Dvaraka [MP, P.289].

713 Vampadada: (Mountain ?) Famous for Pulaka jewels [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa II.153b]. Not identified. Vamsagiri : Situated near the city of Kamcanapura. Prince of Kamcanapura used to send his servants to this hill to catch peacocks; [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 197]. Not identified. Vanaramalaya: The descendants of the Vidyadhara king Suggiva lived on the Kikkimdhamalaya mountain in the form of monkeys, and as such it was also called 'the mountain of monkeys', [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.77b]. Vimjhagiri : The river Gamga is described to have touched this mountain while on way to the country of Magaha from that of Kasi [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 305]. Pajjunna came across this mountain during his travel from Bhojakada to Dvaraka [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 100]. Agadadatta, while proceeding from Kosambi to the Avanti country is described to have crossed this mountain [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 42]. To reach Kakamdi from the city of Vacchagumma, Vasudeva had to cross the Vindhya forest [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa,II.219a]. This forest was infested with many settlements of robbers, who earned their livelihood by robbing the travellers and caravans [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 7, 40, 114, ]. According to Puranas Mt. Vindya is one of the seven main mountain-ranges (kulacala) in India [Markandeya Purana, 54.11]. It is the same as the modern Vindhyan range..

714 Vidura : A peak of the Malaya range, where Veruliya (Skt. Vaidurya) jewels, are found in good quantity [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa II.126a]. Not identified. [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa Vipura : Famous for Veruliva jewels, and situated above Chalaya janapada, in the Malaya range [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.154a]. Probably the same as Vidura. Vebharagiri : A hill in the vicinity of the city of Kusaggapura,i.e. Rayagiha [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 74]. Dhammilla became a monk at the feet of the Jaina monk Dhammarui who was residing on this hill near Rayagiha. The hill is sacred to the followers of the Jain religion [Jain, op. cit., TH.353], and has been counted among the important hills, a list of which appears in the Puranas [MP, P.286]. It is the same as the Vaibhara or Baibhara hill near Rajgir in Bihar. the Veyaddha: Carudatta, with his caravan, Carudatta, with his caravan, crossed the land of Hunas, Khasas and Cinas and reached Mt. Samkupaha situated at the foot of Mt. Veyaddha [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 148]. Motichandra refers to the story of Carudatta in Sarthavaha. According to him Carudatta must have carried business transactions with the Hunas, Khasas and Cinas living in Central Asia, beyond which was Sankupatha and the Vaitadhya mountain. equates Veyaddha with modern Tashkuragna [Sarthavaha, P.133]. He

715 Vasudevahindi Mt. Veyaddha has been referred to often in the as the mythical residence of the Vidyadharas. [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa 163-164; Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.118b-119a, 167a]. From the description of the conquering expedition of Bharaha it becomes clear that Veyaddha mountain was to the south of the origin of rivers Gamga and Simdhu, both of which pierce through that mountain. At least, the mythical Veyaddha was not beyond the Himalayas in Central Asia, as Motichandra takes it to be. Sammeya: A mountain sanctified by the association (nisihiya) of twenty Tirthakaras [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 214], i.e. except Usabha, Vasupujja, Nemi and Mahavira (Jain, op.cit.,300] and celebrated as a place of Salvation [parinivvana-bhumi of nineteen Tirthakaras [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 309]. It was in the vicinity of Malaya janapada [Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 214]. Identified with Parasnath hill in Hazaribagh district of Bihar (Jain, op.cit., P.330]. Siripavvada : Famous as one of the sources of Marakata jewels (emerald) and situated in Javanavisaya [Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II. 153b]. Not identified.