On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v1.c12.s7.2

v1.c12.s7.2

This name is translated in some Chinese glossaries by "Peacock", as if Mayūra. It is also said to be derived from *madhu*, honey, as if the spelling of the name were Madhurā. Mr Growse considers that the word is probably connected with the Sanskrit root *math*, "to churn", "the churn forming a prominent feature in all poetical descriptions of the local scenery".¹ In connection with this it is interesting to observe that in a Buddhist scripture a sick bhikshu is represented as unable to obtain milk at Mathurā.² There was also a story of a great giant Madhu from whom the name of the city and district was derived. This also points to the form Madhurā.