Historical Geography of Ancient India c8.202

c8.202

Gayā.—The *Mahābhārata* mentions this holy city (Ch. 84, 82-97; cf. *Brahma Purāṇa*, 67. 19; *Kūrma Purāṇa*, 30. 45-48; cf. *Agni Purāṇa*, 109). The *Yoginītantra* also mentions it (1. 11. 62-63; 2. 5. 141ff.; 2. 5. 166). Gayā comprises the modern town of Sahebganj on the northern side and the ancient town of Gayā on the southern side. The *Vāyu Purāṇa* (II, 105ff.) contains a description of the sacred places in Gayā which also contains Akṣayavaṭa or the undying banyan tree (*Vāyu Purāṇa*, 105. 45; 109. 16). According to the same *Purāṇa* (Ch. 105, śls. 7-8), Gayā is named after Gaya who performed a *Yajña* (religious sacrifice) here. Gayātīrtha is a holy place¹ where Gayāsūra performed asceticism. Brahmā performed a religious sacrifice on a slab of stone placed on the head of Gayāsūra (*Vāyu Purāṇa*, Ch. 105, 4-5). The Buddha once stayed at Gayā and was met by the Yakkha Suciloma (*Suttanipāta*, p. 47). Gayā is mentioned in the Buddhist literature as a village (*gāma*) and a sacred place (*tittha*).² It corresponds to Gayāpurī of the *Gayāmāhātmya* in the *Vāyu Purāṇa*.