On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c23.s10.3

v2.c23.s10.3

The original of this passage presents some difficulties and the translation here given is not very satisfactory. The Hi-mo-ta-lo of this, and of two other passages of the Records, is translated in a Chinese note by "Foot of Snow Mountain", and restored as Himatala which has a similar meaning. But this name is probably derived from Buddhist books, or from Indian Brethren settled in the district, and there was presumably a local and popular name. Yule thinks we find a trace of the word Himatala in the name "of one of the still existing feudatory provinces of Badakshān, Daraim or Dara-i-aim". The account in the Life makes the pilgrim go from Mungkan east 300 *li* among hills and so on to Himatala, but as this account is evidently derived from the Records it is possible that there is a mistake as to the place of departure. In the Records' description of the pilgrim's journey out, Himatala is mentioned between Ku-lang-na and Po-li-ho. The Fang-chih agrees with the present passage of the Records in placing this country 300 *li* east of Krism, and 200 *li* west of Po-to-ch'ang-na (Badakhshān).