Geographical and Economic Studies in the Mahabharata: Upayana Parva c6.207

c6.207

The representatives of the countries mentioned above broubht with them the products natural to their countries. The first item on the list is ten thousand black-necked heavily built donkeys (M. B., II, 47, 21) (*kṛṣṇagrīvānmahākāyān*), which could cover a distance of hundred *krośas* (*śatapātinah*) and whose breed was famous all over the world (*dikṣu viśrutān*) and who were also well trained (*vinītān*). That no stigma was attached to the donkeys in those days is shown by the fact that the maternal uncle of Bharata, at the time of the departure of his nephew to Ayodhyā presented to him fast going donkeys (*Rāmāyaṇa*, II, 70, 23, Bombay Ed.).