The Geography of the Puranas c8.236

c8.236

The 'valley' between the Suvakṣa and Sikhi ranges, according to our identification corresponds to the Kulyab region or the basin of the Yakṣu river which flows between them. This region is unique in mineral deposits. Near Kulyab Hoja-Sartis and Hoja-Mumin (the Devāpi and Caya of the Purāṇas) tower majestically. These two mountains are the biggest salt cupolas not only in the USSR but also in the world. Their salt deposits are sufficient for supplying the needs of the entire population of the globe for hundreds of years. Where there is salt, there are often subterranean gases. Many such gases in abundant quantity are accumulated here. All these gases are now being studied, and scientific investigation has shown that the Kulyab District is one of the biggest gas-bearing districts in Tajikistan.⁴ The ‘dangerous place of Agni Deva... throwing thousands of flames... and always burning without fuel’ evidently refers to the subterranean gases which give rise to ‘fire without fuel’ for long periods. The forested area full of ‘golden and luscious fruits’ and the ‘sacred Āśrama of Viraṣpati’ corresponds to the town of Kulyab and its surrounding region. ‘Near Kulyab the arms and channels of the Panj form a multitude of islands overrun with reeds, oleaster and sledge. The jungles of this region are the haunts of tigers, wild boars, lynxes, jackals and wild birds. These jungles are, however, being cleared away.’⁵