Studies in the Geography of Ancient and Medieval India c8.s3.127

c8.s3.127

The great country of Magadha is described as extending from Kāleśvara or Vyāseśvara as far as the Tapta-kuṇḍa. Kāleśvara is evidently the celebrated Kāla-Bhairava of Banāras and Vyāseśvara reminds us of Vyāsa-Kāśī. Tapta-kuṇḍa seems to refer to the hot springs (*e.g.*, Sītākuṇḍa) near Monghyr. The Magadha *deśa* is therefore placed between the Benares region and the Monghyr District. The ancient Magadha country comprised the present Patna and Gaya Districts of South Bihar and had its capital originally at Rājagṛha (Rājgir) and then at Pāṭaliputra (near Pāṭnā), both in the present Patna District.