Historical Geography of Ancient India c8.515

c8.515

Vaibhāragiri—(Pali Vebhāra; Sans. Vyavahāra).—It is in Magadha. It is one of the five hills encircling the ancient city of Girivraja, ‘a hill-girt city’ (cf. Vimānavatthu Commentary, p. 82). It extends southwards and westwards ultimately to form the western entrance of Rājgir with the Soṇagiri. In the Jaina Vividhatīrthakalpa the Vaibhāragiri is described as a sacred hill affording possibility of the formation of kuṇḍas of tepid and cold water (taptaśitāmbukuṇḍam). Buddhaghosa associates the hot springs giving rise to the Tapodā river with Mount Vebhāra. It is the same mountain as Vaihāra described in the Mahābhārata as a Vipulaśaila or massive rock. The city of Rājagṛha shone forth in the valley of Vaibhāragiri with Trikūṭa, Khaṇḍika and the rest as its bright peaks. Some dark caves existed in this hill. Close to this hill were the Sarasvatī and many other streams flowing with pleasant waters with properties to heal diseases. The Buddhists built Vihāras on this hill, and the Jainas installed the images of the elect in the shrines built upon it. The Vebhāra and the Pāṇḍava appear to have been the two hills that stood on the north side of Girivraja and were noted for their rocky caves (Theragāthā, XLI, v. 1). The Vaibhrāj is undoubtedly the Vaibhāragiri of Rājagṛha.