Historical Geography of Ancient India c9.4

c9.4

Agastya-āśrama.—This hermitage was situated at Akolha to the east of Nasik (*Rāmāyaṇa*, Āraṇyakāṇḍa, Ch. 11; *Mahābhārata*, Ch. 96. 1-3; cf. Padma Purāṇa, Ch. 6, śl. 5). It is stated in the *Rāmāyaṇa* (Āraṇyakaṇḍa, 11 sarga, verses 40-41) that this hermitage was situated on the south side of his brother’s hermitage, at a distance of one mile from the latter. The *Yoginītantra* (2. 7. 8) has a reference to this hermitage. Some hold that at a distance of twenty-four miles to the south-east of Nasik at Agastipurī there existed the hermitage of the sage Agastya. Some think that this hermitage was situated on the summit of the Malaya range or Malayakūṭa which was also known as Śrīkhaṇḍādri or even as Candanādri (Ch. Dhoyi’s *Pavanadūtam*). It was visited by Balarāma. Manu performed austerities here (*Bhāgavata*, VI. 3. 35; X. 79. 16; *Matsya*, I. 12). Agastya, who was the famous author of the *Agastyasaṃhitā*, introduced Aryan civilization into South India. This hermitage was rendered impregnable to all kinds of trouble, as the mighty sage killed the demons by his spiritual prowess. He was met by Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā while he was engaged in offering oblations. The sage welcomed them and gave Rāma his divine bow, arrow and other weapons. At a distance of about seven miles from this hermitage lay the Pañcavaṭī forest.