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The Geography of the Puranas c3: Preface

The Geography of the Purāṇas c3

Language
English

Preface

c3.1

THE following pages are the result of my discussion with Pandit Dwarka Prasad Mishra, Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh, and former Vice-Chancellor of the Saugar University, whose interest in Ancient Indian History led him to investigate its geographical background. My book *Arab Geography* which deals with the geographical ideas of the Arabs drew his attention to corresponding ideas in the Arab and Persian works. It was felt that it may be profitable to sift the geographical notions contained in the various sections of the Purāṇas and to put them together in the form of a monograph which should present the Purāṇic point of view in a concise manner without affecting their intrinsic merit. This study was made possible with the help of Pandit Mishra's wide study of world history, profound knowledge of Sanskrit and keen geographical sense. They have been fully utilised in this monograph.

c3.2

Of all the Purāṇas, the Vāyu was selected as a base for this work for two reasons: firstly, copies of the various editions of this Purāṇa are easily available. Secondly, the Vāyu includes essentially the geographical matter contained in all other Purāṇas and in addition gives more details in some cases. Other Purāṇas, the Viṣṇu, the Matsya, the Garuda, the Mārkaṇḍeya, the Bhāgawata and the Padma were consulted where the Vāyu text appeared to be doubtful or needed scrutiny.

c3.3

The method of treatment followed in this study will speak for itself. Attempt has been made to present facts in simple language without disturbing the geographical sequence and the sense of the original texts. Interpretations and explanations, wherever they occur, are based on suitable topographical maps and corresponding accounts in standard geographical works. The chapter on 'Cosmogony and Cosmology' was an after-thought. It was felt that, though a geographer should not normally wander into these fields, a brief account of the Purāṇic notions on the origin of the Universe and the origin of the Earth would not be out of place here since the Purāṇic concept of oceans, continents and the major relief features of the earth are intimately connected with the origins of the Universe and the Earth. The chapter on astronomical notions was dropped since there are already standard works on Indian astronomy which deal with the size and shape of the earth, latitude and longitude, day and night, seasons, time, etc.

c3.4

I cannot claim to have done more than follow a few trodden paths through a vast jungle—so often arid and thorny—of the ancient literature; yet, I may hope that the scattered ideas have been brought together into some sort of a coherent survey. At least I have, I believe, indicated some promising fields for further exploration and research.

c3.5

Although this monograph has occupied me, sometimes to the point of obsession, for four years, I realise that I have not been able to do full justice to this fascinating subject. There is still much to be done and if this study could only arouse intelligent and scientific interest in our ancient literature, I shall feel amply rewarded for my labour.

c3.6

In the publication of this monograph I received valuable help from various quarters. My most sincere thanks are due to Shri Sampurnanand, Governor, Rajasthan, for his helpful criticism and encouragement. I am giving in the appendix his and Pandit Dwarka Prasad Mishra's criticism on the Purāṇic Dwipas and my observations on it. To Professor Babu Ram Saxena, Vice-Chancellor of Ravishanker University and Professor Dhirendra Varma, Vice-Chancellor of Jabalpur University, I offer my grateful acknowledgements for their advice in all matters connected with the translation and interpretation of Purāṇic texts.

c3.7

I wish to extend my gratitude and sincere thanks to Dr. M. P. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, and Justice G. P. Bhutt, former Vice-Chancellor, Saugar University, for providing all adequate facilities for work and helping me secure financial assistance from the University Grants Commission without which the publication of this work may not have been possible.

c3.8

I am paticularly grateful to my respected friends Pandit K. D. Bajpai, Professor of Ancient Indian History, for many valuable suggestions regarding several chapters of the book and for assistance in its revision, and Pandit Parmanand Bajpai for helping me with useful suggestions regarding Hindu traditions and their geographical base.

c3.9

To my colleagues Dr. V. C. Misra, Dr. P. C. Agarwal, Dr. Pramila Varma (of the Geography Department), Dr. Yogeshwar Pandey (of the Sanskrit Department) and especially Dr. N. P. Ayyar and Shri T. K. Nair who arranged and corrected the proofs and prepared the index, I am indebted for much ungrudging assistance and for their helpful attitude throughout in the production of this work.

c3.10

I am also thankful to Shri T. K. N. Menon, Editor, People's Publishing House, Delhi, for extending all possible help and cooperation in the publication of this monograph.

c3.11

Saugar, 18 May 1966 S. M. A.

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