A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1116

c5.1116

MĀNASA, MĀNASA-SAROVARA. The lake Mānasa in the Himālayas. In the Vāyu Purāna it is stated that when the ocean fell from heaven upon Mount Meru, it ran four times round the mountain, then it divided into four rivers which ran down the mountain and formed four great lakes, Arunoda on the east, Sitoda on the west, Mahā-bhadra on the north, and Mānasa on the south. According to the mythological account, the river Ganges flows out of it, but in reality no river issues from this lake, though the river Satlej flows from another and larger lake called Rāvana-hrāda, which lies close to the west of Mānasa.