The Geography of the Puranas c8.156

c8.156

The Supārśva country (Kirghistan) has, in general, less steep rocks and canyons and wider mountain valleys that have gentle slopes and for the most part sufficient moisture. Those valleys abound in rich alpine meadows which cover almost 80 per cent of the whole area. The Purāṇics, therefore, in describing the upper course of the river Bhadrasomā correctly say that ‘the river falls and throws water like garlands... and comes down several mountain slopes and flows through rich countries (i.e., rich in vegetation) and after crossing large and several great forests including Sūryavana and Mahāvana, this great river falls into a lake named Mahābhadra....’