Historical Geography of Ancient India c10.280

c10.280

*Payoṣṇī.*—The *Mahābhārata* (Vanaparva, LXXXVIII, 8329-35) and the *Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa* (Canto LVII, 24) mention this river which was separated from the Narmadā by the Vaidūrya mountain. According to the *Mahābhārata* (CXX, 10289-90), it was the river of Vidarbha. The river Payoṣṇī flowed through the countries inhabited by the two tribes called Tamaras and Hamsamārgas according to the *Matsya Purāṇa*. Cunningham identifies this river with the Pahoj, a tributary of the Jumna between the Sindh and Betwa (*A.S.R.*, VII, Plate XXII). This identification seems to be untenable.