Historical Geography of Ancient India c6.233.2

c6.233.2

It was visited by Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa.¹¹ The stream which flows in the east towards the Caitraratha forest is called the Sitā which proceeds towards the Varuṇoda-Sarovara. The stream which flows towards the Gandhamādana mountain from the southern side of the Sumeru is called the Alakanandā which falls into the Mānasasarovara in strong currents. The Vāyu and Matsya Purāṇas give almost the same description as the Mārkaṇḍeya of the descent of the Ganges, while the Viṣṇu, Bhāgavata and Padmapurāṇas as well as the Mahābhārata (85. 88-98; 87. 14) agree substantially. According to Bāṇa’s Kādambarī (p. 75) the Ganges while being brought down by Bhagīratha happened to wash off the altar of Jahṇu who was performing a sacrifice. The Padmapurāṇa (Ch. 21) mentions Gaṅgāsāgara-saṅgama which is considered holy. According to the Brahmapurāṇa (Ch. 78, v. 77) the Ganges which flows to the south of the Vindhya mountain is called the Gautamigaṅgā and the Ganges flowing to the north of it is called the Bhāgīrathigaṅgā. (For the interesting account given in the Vāyu Purāṇa, vide B. C. Law, Geographical Essays, Vol. I, p. 85). The Padmapurāṇa (Ch. 4, v. 107) mentions the confluence of the Ganges and the Sindhu as a holy spot. This Purāṇa refers to the seven branches into which the Ganges is divided, namely, Vaṭodakā, Nalinī, Sarasvatī, Jambunadī, Sitā, Gaṅgā and Sindhu (Svargakhaṇḍa, Ch. 2, v. 68).