Historical Geography of Ancient India c8.366

c8.366

The river Nerañjarā which was closely connected with Uruvelā, had clear water, pure, blue and cold with bathing places having gradual descents of steps (Papañcasūdanī, P.T.S., II, 173; cf. Lalitavistara, Biblio. Indica Series, p. 311; Mahāvastu, II, 123, 124). The Suppatitthita was a bathing place on its bank where Bodhisattas took their bath on the day of enlightenment (Jāt., I, 70). There was a big śāla grove on its bank (Mahābodhivamsa, p. 28). Here antelopes were found (Jāt., IV, 392, 397). This river was occasionally graced by the presence of the Nāga maidens who found delight in sporting in it (Lalitavistara, p. 386; Mahāvastu, II, 264). The Jaṭila brothers also practised diving in it in winter at night (Vinaya, I, 31).