Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c31.717

v2.c31.717

**Mandākini.**—One of the seven great lakes of the **Himālaya.**¹ It is in the **Chaddantavana** and is fifty leagues in extent, of which twentyfive leagues is of crystal water, free from moss or weeds. For the next twenty-five leagues, the water is but waist-deep and is covered with white lotus, spreading for half a league around the lake; beyond that are red lotus, red lilies, etc., rice-fields, fruit-trees, a grove of sugar-cane—each cane being as big as a palm tree—banana, jak, mango, rose-apple, etc. On the bank of the lake is a spot where Pacceka Buddha’s generally live; but Aññā-Koṇḍañña lived there for twelve years attended by Chaddanta, the elephant and Nāgadatta, a devaputta. They ministered to all his needs, and he only left there to take leave of the Buddha before his death. He then returned to Mandākinī, where he died and was cremated, his relics being later deposited at the gateway of Veḷuvana, where a cetiya was erected over them.² The Mandākinī-lake never grows hot and dries up only at the end of the kappa.³