Historical Geography of Ancient India c6.659

c6.659

*Siddhāśrama*.—According to the *Rāmāyaṇa* (*Ādikāṇḍa*, 29 sarga, vs. 3-4), this hermitage stood before Vāmana came into existence. It was visited by Rāma and Viśvāmitra. It was an excellent hermitage (*Ibid.*, V. 24). There is a difference of opinion as to the site of this hermitage. According to the *Rāmāyaṇa* (Kiṣkindhyākāṇḍa, Ch. 43), it is said to have been situated in the Himalayas between the Kāñcanjaṅghā and the Dhavalāgiri on the bank of the river Mandākinī. According to others, it is at Buxar in the district of Sahabad. Viṣṇu is said to have been incarnated here as Vāmana. He attained perfection in austerity according to the *Rāmāyaṇa* (Ādikāṇḍa, sarga 29, vs. 3-4).