大唐西域記 10.23

10.23

羯𩜁伽國，周五千餘里。國大都城周二十餘里。稼穡時播，花果具繁，林藪聯綿，動數百里。出青野象，隣國所奇。氣序暑熱，風俗躁暴，性多狷獷，志存信義。言語輕捷，音調質正，辭旨風則，頗與中印度異焉。少信正法，多遵外道，伽藍十餘所，僧徒五百餘人，習學大乘上座部法。天祠百餘所，異道甚眾，多是尼乾之徒也。

This country is 5000 li or so in circuit; its capital is 20 li or so round. It is regularly cultivated and is productive. Flowers and fruits are very abundant. The forests and jungle are continuous for many hundred li. It produces the great tawny wild elephant, which are much prized by neighbouring provinces. The climate is burning; the disposition of the people vehement and impetuous. Though the men are mostly rough and uncivilised, they still keep their word and are trustworthy. The language is light and tripping, and their pronunciation distinct and correct. But in both particulars, that is, as to words and sounds, they are very different from Mid-India. There are a few who believe in the true law, but most of them are attached to heresy. There are ten sanghdrdmas, with about 500 priests, who study the Great Vehicle according to the teaching of the Sthavira school. There are some 100 Deva temples with very many unbelievers of different sorts, the most numerous being the Nirgranthas [Ni-kin followers].
In old days the kingdom of Kalinga had a very dense population. Their shoulders rubbed one with the other, and the axles of their chariot wheels grided together, and when they raised their arm-sleeves a perfect tent was formed. There was a Rishi possessed of the five supernatural powers, who lived (perched) on a high precipice, cherishing his pure (thoughts). Being put to shame (insulted) because he had gradually lost his magic powers, he cursed the people with a wicked imprecation, and caused all dwelling in the country, both young and old, to perish; wise and ignorant alike died, and the population disappeared. After many ages the country was gradually repeopled by emigrants, but yet it is not properly inhabited. This is why at the present time there are so few who dwell here.
Not far from the south of the capital there is a stūpa about a hundred feet high; this was built by Asōka-raja. By the side of it there are traces where the four past Buddhas sat down and walked.
Near the northern frontier of this country is a great mountain precipice, on the top of which is a stone stūpa about a hundred feet high. Here, at the beginning of the kalpa, when the years of men's lives were boundless, a Pratyēka Buddha reached Nirvāṇa.
From this going north-west through forests and mountains about 1800 li, we come to the country of Kiao-sa-lo (Kōsala).