Historical Geography of Ancient India c9.186

c9.186

Pañcavaṭī.—It was either in Janasthāna or it bordered on it. It was visited by Sītā along with the two descendants of Raghu. Śūrpaṇakhā who was a resident of Janasthāna, encountered Rāma here (*Rāmāyaṇa*, Ādikāṇḍa, I, 47; Āraṇyakāṇḍa, XXIII, 12; *Mahābhārata*, 83, 162; *J.R.A.S.*, 1894, p. 247). Śūrpaṇakhā’s ears and nose were chopped off by Lakṣmaṇa (*Rām.*, Āraṇyakāṇḍa, Sarga 21, v. 7; *Uttaracaritaṃ*, Act I, 28). This forest was not far off from the hermitage of Agastya situated near the river Godāvarī (Ibid., Sarga 13, vs. 13-19, Vaṅgavāsī ed.). It was on the Godāvarī, full of wild animals, antelopes, etc., and adorned with fruits and flowers. It was a beautiful place well-levelled and delightful. It was full of birds (*Rāmāyaṇa*, *Āraṇyakāṇḍa*, 15th Sarga, 1–5, 10–19). A big leaf-hut was raised here where Rāmacandra stayed for some time with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa (*Ibid.*, 20–31).