M.N.Dutt - 106 - Markandeya Puranam
Dasharna, and similarly another the Chitrakuta, the Chitrotpala, with the Tamasa, the
Karamoda, the Pishachika, similarly others, the Pippali, the Srini, the Bipasha, and the river
Bajjula, the Sumeruja, the Shukimati, the Shakuli, and the Tridiba, and the Akramu, and
likewise many others of strong current have risen from the foot of mount Skandha, (another
reading, the mount Riksha). (21-23) The Shipra, the Payoshni, the Nirbindhya, the Tapi with
the Nishadhabati, the Benwa, the Baitarani, and also the Sinibali, the Kumudbati, the
Korotaya, the Mahagauri, the Durga, and likewise the Antashira, - all these rivers of pure
water, and beautiful have proceeded from the foot of the Vindya mountains. (24-25) The
Godabari, the Bhimaratha, similarly another the Krishnabenwa, the Tungabhadra, the
Suprayaga, the Bahya, the Kaberi, and likewise the Apaga, all these excellent rivers have
also their sources at the foot of the Vindhya range. The Kritamala, the Tamraparni, the
Pushpaja, with the Utpalabati, these rivers of cooling waters have proceeded from the mount
Malaya. The Pitrikulya, Somakulya, Rishikulya, the Ikshuka and that which is the Tridiva, the
Langolini, the Vamsakara; they are known to have taken their rise from the mountain
Mahendra. The Rishikulya, the Kumari, the Mandaga, of gentle current, the Kripa, (second
reading, the Krisha) the Palashini are known to have risen from the mountain Shuktimat.
They are all sacred rivers like the Ganges, and flow into the ocean; they are all mothers of
the world, and are all said to possess the power of taking away sins. And there are, O most
excellent among twice-born persons, other thousands of small rivers, (26-31) those that flow
only during the rainy season, as well as those that flow during all seasons. Matsya,
Aswakuta, Kulya, Kuntala, Kasi, Koshala, and Atharba, and Kalinga, Malaka with Brika, are
generally spoken of as the provinces of the Madhyadesha or central division. (32-33) That
province which is situated on the north of mount Sahya, where the river Godabari flows, that
is the most pleasant country in all the earth. (34) The pleasant city, Gobardhana, of the high-
souled Bhargaba, and Balhika, Batadhana, Abhira, Kalatoyaka, Aparanta, Sudra, Pallaba,
Charmakhandika, Gandhar, Yabana, Sindhu, Saubira, Madraka, Satadruja, Kalinga, Parada,
Harabhushika, Mathara, Bahubhadra, Kaikeya, Dashamalika, - all these the colonies of
Kshetriyas, as also of Vaishyas and Sudras; - Kamboja, and Darada, Barbara,
Harshabardhana, China, and Khara, Bahula peopled by men; and Atreya, Bharndvaja,
Pushkala, and Kasheruka, Lampaka, Shulakara, Chulika, with the Jaguda, Aupadha,
Anibhadra, belonging to the tribes of Kiratas; - Tamasa, Hansabharga, Kashmira, Tungana,
Shulika, Kuhaka, Jarna, and likewise Darba. (35-41) These are the province of the north, hear
from me of the countries to the east. Adhraraka Mudakara, Antargirya, Bahirgirya, likewise
Prabanga, Rangeya, Manada, Manabartika, Brahmottarya, Prabijaya, Bhargaba,
Jneyamallaka Pragjyotisha, Madra, Videha, Tamraliptaka, Malla, Magadha-Gomanta, - these
are known to be the eastern provinces. (42-44) Then there are other provinces inhabited by the
people of the Deccan: - Pundra, Kerala, and likewise, Golangula, Shailusha, Mushika,
Kusuma, Basaka, Maharastra, Mahishaka, Kalinga, all these and Avira, with Baishikya, and
Adakya, and Shabara, Punlinda, Bindhya, Mauleya, Bidarbha, with Dandaka, Paurika,
Maulika, and Ashmaka, Bhogabardhana, Nashika, Kuntala, Andhra, Udbhida, Banadaraka;
these are the provinces of the southern countries. Hear of the western countries from me.
They are Suryaraka, Kalibala, Durga, Anikata, Pulinda, Sumina, Rupapa with Swapada,
likewise Kurumina, Katakshara, Nasikyaba, and others that are on the north of the Narmada;
Bhirukaccha, Samaheya with Saraswata, Kashmir, Surastra, Abanti with Arbuda - these are
all the western provinces. Hear of the provinces on the Vindya range. (45-52) Sharaja,
Karosha, Kerala with Utkala, Uttamarna, Dasharna, Bhoja with Kiskindhaka, Toshala,
Koshala, as well as Tripura, and, likewise Bidisha, Tumbura and Stumbula, Pataba, with
Nishada; Annaja, Tushtikara, Birohotra, Abanti all these provinces are on the back of the
Vindya hills. (53-55) I shall next relate to you the mountainous countries; viz. - Nihara,
Hansamarga Kuraba, Gurguna, Khasha, Kunta, Prabarana, Urna, Darba, Sakritraka,
Trigartha, Malaba, with Kirata and Tamasa. In these places the Yugas, Treta &c, and the
laws of these are well established. This is the Bharatabarsha, which has countries on all its
four quarters. (56-58) In the south, the west, and the east of it is the great ocean, while the
Himalaya stands to the north of it like the string of a bow. (59) This is that Bharatabarsha, O
thou excellent among twice-born persons, which contains the seed of all that exist. It is here,
O Brahman, that according to the fruits of people's action the state of Brahman, of the lord of