Historical Geography of Ancient India c6.316

c6.316

This mountain region was penetrated by the hermits, hunters, and kings on hunting expeditions. The hermits and ascetics kept many hermitages there. The examples are too numerous,⁴ but we may cite a few of them. The hermitage of Kapila was by the side of the Himalayas not far from the river Bhāgīrathī.⁵ The famous hermitage known as Vṛṣaparvan’s hermitage existed near the Mount Kailāsa in the Himalayas.⁶ An ascetic named Nārada who dwelt in a cave in the Himalaya spent seven days in meditation, possessed supernatural faculties and at last realized what was bliss.⁷ Four rich householders of Benaras, realizing the misery resulting from desire, went into this mountain and embraced the ascetic life. There they lived for a long time on the forest roots and fruits.⁸ A wealthy Brahmin adopted the life of an ascetic and took up his abode in the Himalaya after developing supernatural power.⁹ Five hundred ascetics came down from the Himalaya to procure salt and vinegar from Benaras.¹⁰ A Brahmin belonging to the Kāśī country adopted the religious life of an ascetic in the Himalaya after his mother’s death.¹¹ The king of Videha gave up his rule in the city of Mithilā, went to the Himalayan region, where he took up the religious life. He dwelt there peacefully, living on fruits only.¹²