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Historical Elements in the Matsya Purana

by Chaitali Kadia | 2021 | 91,183 words

This page relates ‘Geographical History in the Purans� of the study on the historical elements of the Matsya-purana: one of the eighteen Mahapuranas which are Sanskrit texts that have preserved the cultural heritage, philosophy, religion, geography, etc of ancient India. This Matsyapurana was originally written in 20,000 verses and deals with topics such as architecture, ancient history, polity, religion and philosophy.

Geographical History in the ʳܰṇs

The geographical data of the ʳܰṇa is mostly described in their first two �ṣaṇa � which deal with cosmogony, cosmology, and cosmography. They include, among other related matters, the origin of the universe and the earth, the oceans and the continents, mountain systems of the world, regions and their people and astronomical geography. Incidental references to the geography of different lands, particularly those of ٲ , occur throughout the ʳܰṇa in the historical accounts contained in them. One has to put all the isolated facts together to get a picture of the lands and their people to which they refer or which they intended to describe. The geography of the world is found in most of the ʳܰṇa . All of them agree in describing the earth as comprised of seven concentric island continents (ٲ屹ī ܳī ) [ , I, 1.80, 6.48, 8.15, 33.4, վṣṇ I, 4.49, 22.15, ṇḍ, 37.13, ef. Ѳṣy (Keilhorn’s edition), Vol. I, P. 9. The number is sometimes raised to nine (Padma, Svargakhaṇḍa , VII 26) and sometimes to eighteen ( I. 24.23)] separated by encircling seas which increase by becoming double compared with each preceding one (H.C. Raychaudhuri, Studies in Indian Antiquities, Second Edition, 1958, P. 66), and on divisions of ܻ屹ī貹 , the situation and extent of ܻ屹ī貹 , the situation and extent of Meru and the subdivisions of ٲvarṣa (Wilson, վṣṇ ʳܰṇa , P. 135, n.1).

The seven 屹ī貹 of the ʳܰṇa were:

  1. Jambu,
  2. ʱṣa,
  3. Ś,
  4. ś,
  5. ñ,
  6. Ś첹 and
  7. ʳṣk

Surrounded by oceans of:

  1. salt water (ṇa),
  2. sugarcane juice (ṣu),
  3. wine (ܰ),
  4. ghee (Sarpi),
  5. curd (Dadhi),
  6. milk (ṣi) and
  7. water (Jala) respectively

(Agni 108. 1-2, Garuda 54. 4-5; վṣṇ II, 2. 5-7; 첹ṇḍⲹ 56. 5-7. The Matsya 121-22 and ʲ峾-ṇḍ , IV, mention them in different order).

The names of the 屹ī貹 preferably in the order of Matsya are also given by Alberuni (A.I., I, P. 235 Cf. Ain-in-Akbari, translated by colonel H.S. Jarret, Asiatic Society of Bengal, Calcutta, 1891, Vol. III. P. 33 ff.).

Taken literally, the six outer continents may not be identified in the real world. The Matsya ʳܰṇa wants to make us believe that the identification of the dvipas is a super human task (Matsya , 112, 4-6).

The ʳܰṇi account of the 屹ī貹 is mixed up with mythology, and it is not easy to sort out the actual from the imaginary� (S.D. Giyani, Agni ʳܰṇa , A Study, P. 151). But if we accept that the idea of the seven 屹ī貹 was somehow or remotely based on some real knowledge, tentative identifications for some of them may be proposed. As Indian History has been associated with the Ś첹s from very early times, there is every possibility of truth in the speculation that the 屹ī貹 was named after the Ś첹s. Thus different regions associated with the Ś첹s첹ٳԲ (Seistan), (H.C. Roychaudhury, pp. 68-69, cf. ABOR, Vol XXXVI. PP. 358 ff.). Tartary including Turkestan in central Asia (N.L. Dey, Geographical Dictionary, P. 172), Sogdiana (J.A.S.B., 1902, Part I, P. 154), Oxus and Jaxartes Valleys (D.C. Sircar, Studies in the Geography of Ancient and Mediaeval India, P. 163), regions to the east, north and west of the Caspian sea (ʳܰṇa , III No. 2, PP. 253 ff.) have been identified with the Śāka屹ī貹 .

The ʳṇa mention the river Krumu as flowing in ʱṣa屹ī貹 and it may point to some region immediately to the west of the Indus as being called ʱṣa屹ī貹 (H.C. Raychoudhuri, P.69).

The վṣṇ ʳܰṇa refers to the Damin Brahmanas of ś屹ī貹 (վṣṇ ʳܰṇa II, 4. 38-39) who have been identified with the Damnai mentioned by Ptolemy (JASB, Part I, P. 151). ś屹ī貹 was situated in north-eastern Africa beyond Mudraya or Egypt (D.C. Sircar, P. 164). The Hamadan inscription of Darius mentions ś as one of the border countries of his empire (S.I., P. 8-9). There are no definite clues for the identification of Ś , ñ and ʳṣk (Col. Gerine, Researches on Ptolemy’s Geography of Eastern Asia, 1990, P. 275).

Almost all Puranas have enriched themselves by some geographic information. However, in some of the ʳܰṇa , there is a small number of information and more information is available in the other ʳܰṇa . Whatever happens, all the ʳܰṇa play an important role in collecting geographical information of past India. Now let’s see what the geographical information contain in the ʳܰṇa .

Agni ʳܰṇa:

Among the 18 Ѳ󲹱ܰṇa the Agni ʳܰṇa is one of the most important but it does not have the abundance of geographic information. All the geographical information that we get from the Agni ʳܰṇa are the same as in the վṣṇ ʳܰṇa . The early chapters of the ʳܰṇa describe about the . Then following the 峾ⲹṇa and the Ѳٲ it describes about the and ṛṣṇa respectively. Although this ʳܰṇa follows the վṣṇ ʳܰṇa in the field of geographic data analysis, yet the ٳⲹ description of holy place Ҳ is a unique subject of this ʳܰṇa (Ch. 116). There are also descriptions about the �ܱԲṣa � in the chapter 108, ܻ屹ī貹 in the chapter 118, glory of ś in the chapter 112, glory of Narmada in the chapter 113 and about universe in the chapter 120 etc.

Brahma ʳܰṇa:

The first sections of this ʳܰṇa give us the description of the creation, Manvantaras and the history of the ṛṣṇa’s contemporary dynasties. The main aim of this ʳܰṇa is to proclaim lord ṛṣṇa’s worship as lord Jagannāṇṭha. The most notable geographical date of this ʳܰṇa is the description of the Orissa which was known as the �Puruṣottama ṣeٰ �. About one third part of this ʳܰṇa represent the account of Orissa and its temples dedicated to the Lord Sun, Ś and Բٳ. (Chapter 32, 68). Also we get the description about ܻ屹ī貹 (Ch.-10), other six 屹ī貹 (Ch.-11), ٲvarṣa (Ch.-15) and many pilgrimages like Ilāīٳ, Garudaīٳ , ٲīٳ,Իīٳ and others in the several chapters (Ch.-14, 42�67).

Brahma Vaivarta ʳܰṇa:

In order to provide geographical information, this ʳܰṇa has followed the Ágni ʳܰṇa � and the �վṣṇܱʳܰṇa �. This ʳܰṇa is basically divided into 4 categories–the Brahma, the Prakriti, the Ҳṇeś and the Śrīkṛṣṇajanma ṇḍ. The most important part of Brahma Vaivarta ʳܰṇa is that it contains the lengthy descriptions of ṛn屹Բ and Gokula (Ch.-72) in the Śrīkṛṣṇajanma Khanda.

Bhaviṣya ʳܰṇa:

Generally this ʳܰṇa is renowned for its descriptions of Kali age. Later the many other ʳܰṇa collected information about the Kali age from this ʳܰṇa . Like other ʳܰṇa , this ʳܰṇa also deals with the descriptions of creation, at its first section (Brahmaparva Ch. 2). There are descriptions about the creation of universe in the Madhyaparva (Ch.-2). In spite of these there are also many information about ٲ Khanda in the Pratisargaparva (Ch.-20).

岵ٲ ʳܰṇa:

Among the 18 Ѳܰṇa the 岵ٲ ʳܰ� is one of the supreme ʳܰṇa . This ʳܰṇa is unque in itself. Basically 岵ٲ ʳܰṇa is more crowned by the ղṣṇ . The fifth Skandha (Part) is more important as the evidence of geographic information and the section is divided into some chapters. From the chapters 1-15 we find the information about the Priyavrata, Agnidhara and Ṛṣ. Then we get analysis of The ܱԲṣa from the chapter 16. Chapter 17 gives us an important note about the ҲԲ . The chapter 18 and 19 deal with the Mysteries of the ղṣa in the 5th Skandha . Then we find the description of the ٱī貹 in the chapter 20. And lastly there are the information about the Svah and Bhuvah , the Sun, the Planets and Stars, the , the Narakas in the Chapter 21 to 26. According to the ʲ峾 ʳܰṇa originally this ʳܰṇa is the essence of the remaining ʳܰṇa .

Garuda ʳܰṇa:

Though the Garuda ʳܰṇa has shown enough freedom in its geographical part, but a greater portion of this ʳܰṇa is occupied with the descriptions of Vratas or religious customs, of holy days, of holy places and of the lord Sun etc. There is an analysis of the theory of the creation (Ch. 4 of ĀԻ岹 ). There are also the descriptions of the �ܱԲṣa � in the ĀԻ岹 (Ch.-37), ٱṣa (Ch.-38), ʱṣa and ʳṣk and other 屹ī貹 (Ch-39) etc. we get s ‘geographical information from the ĀԻ岹 about pilgrimage of Ҳ (Ch-64-67). The Garuda ʳܰṇa basically describes about many Ayurvedic medicines.

ū ʳܰṇa:

Although it is a small one, it has a collection of geographic information. There are many descriptions about Janapadas in this ʳܰṇa but the information of Janapadas is followed to the վṣṇ ʳܰṇa . It also contains a huge description and fuller list of rivers after ʳܰṇa . This ʳܰṇa analyzes about creation at first in the ū岵 (Ch.�4). Then we get the description of the many Island and mountain (Ch.-44), 𳾲ūٲ (Ch.-47), ʱṣa and others 屹ī貹 (Ch.-48), ʳṣk屹ī貹 (Ch.-49) etc. from the ū岵 . We also find the description of ܱ԰ṣa in the Ch. 39 of this part. 貹岵 of this ʳܰṇa describes about many glory of pilgrimages like Rudrakoti (Ch.-35), and 󲹻ś (Ch.-39), ṣa and ś (Ch.-41) etc.

첹ṇḍⲹ ʳܰṇa:

According to Wilson this ʳܰṇa is in the time of 9th or 10th century A.D. This is the ʳܰṇa in where there are mentioned abut he celestial birds ‘첹ṇḍⲹ� who were born on the field of ܰܰṣeٰ and lived in the Vindhya Mountains. As usual like the other ʳܰṇa there is the description of creation and the earth in this ʳܰṇa . The Nava khanda of this ʳܰṇa contains the geographical information and the description of creation which are also in the other major ʳܰṇa . But the chapter 58, called ū Vibhaga or ū-Ծ of this ʳܰṇa has been mentioned about some countries and peoples of ٲ arranged according to the position of the country conceived as a tortoise (ū ) resting on water and looking eastward. This arrangement has been developed based on previous astronomical works like those of ʲś and ղ󲹳󾱰. Although many of the descriptions of these countries and peoples has been mentioned in the -ṇḍ (Ch. 57) section but there are valuable topographical information in the ū Vibhaga and those topographic information are not in the other ʳܰṇa . The geographical information which we get from this ʳܰṇa are as follows�(1) creation of Universe (Ch.-45), (2) description of ܻ屹ī貹 and mountains (Ch.-54, 55), (3) about the Ganges (Ch.-5-6), (4) ٲvarṣa (Ch.-57), (5) 󲹻ś and other ղṣa (Ch.-59), (6) ܰṣa Varṣa (Ch.-60) etc.

Padma ʳܰṇa:

Padma ʳܰṇa is a massive ʳܰṇa . This ʳܰṇa is divided into five books or ṇḍ. Padma ʳܰṇa has discussed about creation and the earth respectively in its first two ṇḍ , Padma ʳܰṇa has discussed about creation and the earth respectively in its first two ṇḍ , ṛṣṭi ṇḍ and ū ṇḍ . The first sections of the ṛṣṭi ṇḍ elucidate about cosmogony which is the same style and almost the same words as the վṣṇ ʳܰṇa . As a geographical information we get from this ʳܰṇa the virtues of the ʳṣk lake (near Ajmer), a place of pilgrimage. The other side, the ū ṇḍ has also described about the earth and some character of ʳܰṇa in the Chapter 127. The best part of this chapter is the illustration of the īٳ󲹲 or essential places of pilgrimage. The geographical data which we get from the Svarga Khanda of the ʳܰṇa are–creation of universe (Ch.-1), Islands, rivers, mountains etc. (Ch.-2), ٲvarṣa (Ch.-3), about the earth (Ch.-4) etc. Also we find about the glory of many pilgrimages like 屹ī and īٳ (Ch.-8, 9), ܰܰṣeٰ (Ch.-12), ۲ܲ (Ch.-14, 15), Բī (Ch.-17), Ҳ (Ch.-19), ʰ岵 (Ch.-21) etc.

峾Բ ʳܰṇa:

Like other ʳܰṇa 峾Բ ʳܰṇa gives the usual descriptions of creation of the Universe. Beside this the 峾Բ ʳܰṇa also explains the modesty definite regions especially the ś and 岹ś in the and the purity of Sthāṇuīٳ i.e. pools at Thāneśvara and ܰܰṣeٰ between the ۲ܲ and the Sutlej. This ʳܰṇa follows the same pattern of the Matsya, , 첹ṇḍⲹ and ṇḍ ʳܰṇa in its geographical portion to analyze the janapadas . This ʳܰṇa also provided itself with the information of ĀԻ and ճܰṣk , which is not found in any other except the Garuda ʳܰṇa . There is information of about ṇṭhe ʳṣk屹ī貹 (Ch.-11), ܱ԰ṣa (Ch.-13), glory of many pilgrimages (Ch.-34, 35, 36) etc. in this ʳܰṇa .

Varāha ʳܰṇa:

Mainly the Varāha ʳܰṇa describes about the various types of ղṣṇ īٳ󲹲 . But the most notable aspects of this ʳܰṇa is the description of Ѳٳܰ . The geographical information which we get from the ʳܰṇa are as follows–about earth (Ch.-74), about ܻ屹ī貹 (Ch.-75), 屹ī (Ch.-76), Meru (Ch.-77), Mountain of the south direction (Ch.-80), about river (Ch.-82), about mountain in the west of ṣa峦 (Ch.-83) etc.

ʳܰṇa:

ʳܰṇa is one of the incomparable among the 18 󲹱ܰṇa . It is divided into four or sections viz. -ʰ , ǻ岵ٲ , Գṣān and 貹ṃh . Some parts of the chapters of the Ѳٲ and 峾ⲹṇa are the special topics of this ʳܰṇa which make the ʳܰṇa unique. There are a few chapters only in the Prakriya portion and treats chiefly of elemental creation. The portion, ǻ岵ٳ contains the subject of creation and describes the various Kalpas or periods during which the world has existed. The geographical parts of this ʳܰṇa are more perfect, clear and elaborate than that found in any other ʳܰṇa .

It includes:

Chapters 34�35 Jambuٱī貹 (1�96), (1�47).
Chapter 36 Mountains and lakes, east, south, west and north of Meru (1�33)
Chapter 37 Valleys between mountains, east of Meru (1�30)
Chapter 38 Valleys between mountains, south of Meru (1�36)
Chapter 38 Valleys between mountains, west of Meru (37�80).
Chapter 38 Valleys between mountains, north of Meru (37�80).
Chapter 39 Settlements (dwelling places) in the mountains (1�64).
Chapter 40 Devakuta Mountain (1�26).
Chapter 41 Mountain (1-82); Mountain; ṣa Mountain; ٲ Mountain; Jurudhi Mountain (43�89) 
Chapter 42 Rivers from Meru (1�80)
Chapter 43�44 ٳܳ and 󲹻ś (1�38), (1�24).
Chapter 45 ٲvarṣa (1�37)
Chapter 46 ܰṣa and Ჹṣa (1�35)
Chapter 47 Divisions of ٲvarṣa (1�80)
Chapter 48 Islands south of ٲvarṣa (1-43)
Chapter 49 The Seven ٱī貹s (1�153)

վṣṇ ʳܰṇa:

Visṇu ʳܰṇa is the only where the definition of ʳܰṇa is correctly mentioned. The subjects of this ʳܰṇa are discussed in five books. The first two books, as usual, deal with the creation and the description of the earth and the astronomical details. Rather the geographical data of this ʳܰṇa is brief and condensed but the subjects are missing in other ʳܰṇa . So its originality is there. Book 1 deals with primary creation.

Book 2 deals with secondary creation and includes:

—description of the earth, the seven ٱī貹s and the seven oceans (Ch-2)
—description of ٲvarṣa (Ch-3).
—description of the Seven ٱī貹s , tides etc. (Ch-4)
—astronomical notions (Ch-7-12)

Skanda ʳܰṇa:

Almost all scholars have denied the originality of Skanda ʳܰṇa . There is no shortage of geographical information in the Skanda ʳܰṇa but that information is similar to other ʳܰṇa like 첹ṇḍⲹ , Brahma, Matsya and . The ś Khanda of this ʳܰṇa gives a detailed description of the temples of Ś in or adjacent to ṇnī . There is also a story of Agastya which is very famous in South India. Like-wise the Utkala Khanda of this ʳܰṇa highlights the sanctity of Orissa and ʳܰṣaٳٲ ṣeٰ or Բٳ, and ܱԱś . The other Khandas like Brahmottara Khanda, Khanda and Himavat Khanda etc. describe the holiness of a temple or temples in their own region.

Liṅga ʳܰṇa:

Liṅga ʳܰṇa also analyzes many geographical data like others. The data which rich our knowledge of this ʳܰṇa are as follows�

ܱԲṣa and Seven Islands and Oceans (Ch-46 of ū岵 ),
ܻ屹ī貹 (ū岵 �47),
Sumeru mountain (Ch�48 of ūⲹ),
ܻ屹ī貹 and its river and mountains (ū岵 �49),
Bhuvanvinyasa (Section of earth), (ū岵 �50),
ś mountain (ū岵 �51),
Different types of ղṣa (ū岵 �52),
Sapta屹ī貹 (Seven islands) (ū岵 �53).

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