The Geography of the Puranas c7.s5.15

c7.s5.15

The Sea of Japan is enclosed by a ring of mountain ranges. On its east are the Japanese Highlands and on its west are the Highlands of Korea, Manchurian Coast (culminating in Peishan peak) and Sikhota Alin which 'rise near the sea coast'.⁴⁵ This circular mountain chain is almost continuous with very narrow breaks in the Korea strait and the Gulf of Tartary. Suppose we call the Japanese Highlands, Chitrasanu, the eastern segment of the circular range of Puṣkaradvīpa and the western coastal ranges as Mānasa, the picture of Puṣkaradvīpa appears to emerge on the world map. If this assumption is true we should have another range Mahāvīta parallel to Mānasa to its west. There happens to be a range, the Khingan range which lies to the west and almost 'guards the western frontiers' of this region.⁴⁶ To the east of this range which may be called Mahāvīta, there is a prosperous and rich land, which corresponds to the central plains of Manchuria while a desert Dhātaki Khaṇḍa on its west is represented the Gobi desert in our scheme.