Historical Geography of Ancient India c6.309

c6.309

The Himalayan mountain was the home of wild animals. Elephants, deer, rhinoceros, buffaloes, frogs, peacocks and peahens were found on this mountain. The Himalayan forests are said to have abounded in elephants living in herds or as rogues.⁹ They contained horses of diverse breed, reptiles, pythons, water-snakes, etc. A lion dwelt in a cave of the Himalayas, killed a buffalo and ate its flesh. It then took a draught of water and came back to its cave.¹⁰ A full-grown goose, which lived in a cave in the Citrakūṭa mountain in the Himalayan region, took the wild paddy that grew on a natural lake.¹¹ The rivers and lakes were full of fish and the birds were numerous. This mountain was resounded by the songs of birds.¹ In winter trees were found all flowering as well as the blooming lotuses.² Edible lily-seeds could be procured from the Himalaya.³