一切經音義 81.338

81.338

牂柯（上佐郎反。下音哥。案牂柯者南楚之西南夷人種類亦地名也。即五府管內數州皆是也。在益蜀之南今因傳中說往昔有二十餘人從蜀川出牂柯往天竺得達。因有此說遂撿尋括地志及諸地理書南方記等說此往五天路經。若從蜀川南出經餘姚越雋不喜永昌等邑古号哀牢玉漢朝始慕化後改為身毒國。隋王之稱也。此國本先祖龍之種胤也。今並屬南蠻。北接互羌雜居之西過此蠻界即入土蕃國之南界。西越數重高山峻嶺涉歷川谷凡經三數千里過土蕃界。更度雪山南脚即人東天竺東南界迦摩縷波國。其次近南三摩怛吒國呵利鷄羅國及躭摩立底國等。此山路與天竺至近。險阻難行。是大唐與五天陸路之捷徑也。仍須及時盛夏熱瘴毒虫不可行履遇者難以全生。秋多風雨水泛又不可行。冬雖無毒積雪冱寒又難登陟。唯有正二三月乃是過時。仍須譯解數種蠻夷語言兼賫買道之貨仗土人引道展轉問津即必得達也。山險無路難知通塞。乃為當來樂求法巡禮者故作此說以曉未聞也）。

牂柯 (The first character has the fanqie 佐郎; the second character is pronounced 哥. Note: Zangke is an ethnic designation of the southwestern barbarians of Southern Chu, and also a place name. That is, the several prefectures under the administration of the Five Area Commands all belong to this. It lies south of Yi and Shu. Now, based on the account's mention that in former times more than twenty people went out from the river valley of Shu via Zangke to India and succeeded in reaching it, because of this account I have examined the Kuodi zhi and various geographical works, such as the Nanfang ji, which discuss this route to the Five Indies. If one heads south from the Sichuan river valley, passing through Yuyao, Yuexi, Buxi, Yongchang, and other settlements—in antiquity called Ailao [where] Han dynasty began to be transformed by civilization, later changed to Shendu Kingdom, which was the name during the King of Sui's time. This country originally descended from the dragon ancestor. Now they all belong to the Southern Barbarians. To the north it borders the assorted Qiang living intermingled with them. Crossing west of these barbarian borders, one enters the southern borders of the Tibetan kingdom [Tuban]. Crossing several tiers of high and precipitous mountain ranges to the west, trekking across river valleys for altogether three or four thousand li, one passes the Tibetan borders. Crossing further over the southern foot of the Snow Mountains, one reaches the kingdom of Kāmarūpa at the southeastern border of East India. Next, near to the south, are the kingdoms of Samataṭa, Harikela, Tāmralipti, and others. This mountain route is extremely close to India, yet perilous and difficult to traverse; it is the shortcut overland route between the Great Tang and the Five Indies. Nevertheless, one must keep to the right season: in midsummer, the heat, pestilential miasmas, and venomous insects make it impassable, and anyone encountering them can hardly preserve their life; in autumn, there is much wind, rain, and flooding, making it impassable as well; in winter, though free of poison, the deep snow and bitter cold make climbing difficult. Only the first, second, and third months are the suitable season for passage. One still must be able to translate several barbarian dialects, carry goods to pay for safe passage, and rely on indigenous people to guide the way, inquiring about the crossings stage by stage; then one will surely reach there. Since the mountains are perilous without roads and it is hard to know whether they are open or blocked, I have specially provided this explanation for future seekers of the Dharma and pilgrims, so as to enlighten those who have not heard of it).