Chapter 2 - Country of Chen-po (Champa)

This country (Champā) is about 4000 li in circuit. The capital is backed to the north by the river Ganges, it is about 40 li round. The soil is level and fertile (fat or loamy); it is regularly cultivated and productive; the temperature is mild and warm (moderately hot); the manners of the people simple and honest. There are several tens of saṅghārāmas, mostly in ruins, with about 200 priests. They follow the teaching of the Little Vehicle. There are some twenty Deva temples, which sectaries of every kind frequent. The walls of the capital are built of brick, and are several "tens of feet" high. The foundations of the wall are raised on a lofty embankment, so that by their high escarpment, they can defy (stop) the attack of enemies. In old times at the beginning of the kalpa, when things (men and things) first began, they (i.e. people) inhabited dens and caves of the desert. There was no knowledge of dwelling-houses. After this, a Devī (divine woman) descending in consequence of her previous conduct, was located amongst them. As she sported in the streams of the Ganges, she was affected by a spiritual power, and conceiving, she brought forth four sons, who divided between them the government of Jambudvīpa. Each took possession of a district, founded a capital, built towns, and marked out the limits of the frontiers. This was the capital of the country of one of them, and the first of all the cities of Jambudvīpa.

To the east of the city 140 or 150 li, on the south of the river Ganges, is a solitary detached rock,^[1] craggy and steep, and surrounded by water. On the top of the peak is a Deva temple; the divine spirits exhibit many miracles (spiritual indications) here. By piercing the rock, houses have been made; by leading the streams (through each), there is a continual flow of water. There are wonderful trees (forming) flowering woods; the large rocks and dangerous precipices are the resort of men of wisdom and virtue; those who go there to see the place are reluctant to return.

In the midst of the desert wilds, that form the southern boundary of the country, are wild elephants and savage beasts that roam in herds.

From this country going eastwards 400 li or so, we come to the kingdom of Kie-chu-hoh-khi-lo (Kajūghira).

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Either an islet or a detached rock. Cunningham identifies it with the picturesque rocky island opposite Patharghāṭa with its temple-crowned summit (Anc. Geog. of India, p. 477). The same writer (Arch. Surv., vol. xv. p. 34) states, "Both bearing and distance" point to the rocky hill of Kahalgaon (Kolgong of the maps), which is just 23 miles to the east of Bhāgalpur (Champā)."