The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c8.s4.47

c8.s4.47

The present name of the place is *Dhárani-koṭṭa*, which I take to be derived from the later legend regarding *Bhávaviveka*, which is preserved by Hwen Thsang. This holy priest, wishing to behold the future Buddha, Maitreya, fasted for three years, while he continually repeated the mystical verses called *dháranis*. At the end of that time *Avalokiteswara* appeared to him and instructed him to return to his native country of *Dhanakakaṭa*, and in front of a cavern to the south of the town to recite with perfect faith the *dhāraṇis*, or mystical verses, addressed to *Vajra-pāṇi*, when his wish would be accomplished. At the end of three years more *Vajra-pāṇi* appeared to him, and taught him a secret formula which had power to open the cavern in the palace of the *Asuras*, where the future Buddha was dwelling. After three years spent in the recitation of these secret *dhāraṇis*, the rock opened, and *Bhāvaviveka* bidding farewell to the multitude, who were afraid to follow him, entered the cavern, which immediately closed upon him and he was no more seen. As this miraculous legend of the *dhāraṇis* was the popular belief of *Dhanakaṭa* in the seventh century, the place would naturally have been known amongst the people as *Dhāraṇi-koṭṭa*, or the "Cavern of the *Dhāraṇi* Miracle."