Historical Geography of Ancient India c7.157

c7.157

Gokarṇa.—The Kap copperplate of Keladi Sadāśiva-nāyaka refers to Gokarṇa which is a village of that name in North Kanara. It is not far from the river Revā (Saurapurāṇa, Ch. 69, śl. 29). The Gokarṇa copperplates of Kadamba Kāmadeva, Śaka, 1177, were discovered at Gokarṇa (cf. E.I., XXVII, Pt. IV, pp. 157ff.). The Rāmāyaṇa (Ādik. 42 sarga v. 12) points out that the sage Bhagiratha came to this place and engaged himself in asceticism because he was childless for a long time. The Mahābhārata (85. 24–27) and the Padmapurāṇa (Ch. 21) refer to it as a holy place. The Kūrmapurāṇa (30. 45–48; cf. Agnipurāṇa, 109) and the Padmapurāṇa (Ch. 133) also mention it as such. The Saurapurāṇa (Ch. 69, śl. 33) mentions southern Gokarṇa which, according to it, is situated on the river Sindhu (Indus).