The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s3.t32.10

c6.s3.t32.10

At 5 or 6 *li*, or 1 mile, to the south-west of the town stood the mountain of *Gayá*, which was known amongst the people of India as the divine mountain. This hill is now called *Brahm-juïn*, or *Brahmá-yoni*, and a small temple now occupies the site of Asoka’s stupa. To the south-east of the hill there were stupas of the three Kasyapas, and to the east of them, across a great river (the Phalgu), there was a mountain named *Po.lo.ki.pu.ti*, or *Prágbodhi*, which Buddha ascended for the purpose of dwelling in silent solitude upon its summit. He had previously spent six years in silent abstraction, but having afterwards renounced his austerities, he accepted some rice and milk, and going towards the north-east, he saw this mountain, and ascended it for the purpose of resuming his austerities; but he was disturbed by the tremblings caused by the fright of the god of the mountain, and descended on the south-west side, from whence he reached the famous Pippal-tree at Bauddha Gaya, at 15 *li*, or 2½ miles, to the south-west. The last distance and bearing show that the *Prágbodhi* mountain is the *Mora Pahâr* of the present day, as its south-west end is exactly 2½ miles to the north-east of Bauddha Gaya. Midway in the descent there was a cave, in which Buddha rested, and sat with his legs crossed. Fa-Hian* mentions this cave, which he places at half a *yojana*, or 3½ miles, to the north-east of the Bodhi-tree. It was therefore about one mile from the southern end of the mountain. I was informed that a cave still exists on the western face.