This chapter describes three important oases on the margin of the Tarim basin where the rivers Kizil-su (Sitā), Yarkanda and Akshu enter the sandy belt of the basin. The valley described in vv 1-15 is the Kashgar oasis, the one described in vv 16-22 is the Yarkand oasis and the last ‘Palm forest’ ic vv 23-25 is in and about the Akşhu. The poetic description of these oases associating them with gods, goddesses and sages is no exaggeration as the cities of Kashgar, Yarkand, Akşhu (and Khotan) have been praised by ancient and mediaeval travellers, for their affluence, beauty and administration. Remarks M Ali, “It is no wonder that the Puranics honoured these ‘Paradises’ (advanced beautiful oases in the midst of deserts) by associating them with goddess Lakşhmi, god Kāśhyapa and Lord Indra to keep fresh in their memories the beauties of the land which was under their influence for a long time" (AGP p. 104).
Suta said:
1. The valleys between Shitānta and Kumuñja2 ranges are noisy with birds and resorted to by innumerable creatures.
2. The Kashgar oasis located between Mt. Shitanta (Kashghar range) and Kumuñja (an offshoot of Mt. Tien-shan).
2. They are three hundred Yojanas in length and one hundred Yojanas in breadth. There is an excellent lake with sweet and pure water.
3. The lake extends over the full length of the valley which is embellished with white lotuses of sweet fragrance and great red lotuses of hundreds and thousands of petals.
4. Great and unapproachable snakes of huge bodies are found there. The auspicious water is used by Devas, Dänavas and Gandharvas.
5. The sacred lake called Shrisaras is famous here and in heaven. It is filled with clear water. It is a worthy refuge for all embodied beings.
6. In the middle of the vast expanse of lotuses there is a lotus which has a crore petals spread on all sides. It has the lustre of the midday sun.
7. It is always open and full blown. It never withers. It is tremulous and circular. It has many charming filaments. It is resonant with the buzzing sound of inebriated bees.
8. The goddess Lakşhmi herself always abides in that lotus. Undoubtedly, the lotus is the abode of Lakşhmi in an embodied form.
9. On the eastern side of the lake resorted to by Siddhas, there is a charming Bilva forest which is full of flowers, and fruits.
10-12. It is a hundred Yojanas in breadth and three hundred Yojanas in length. It is full of thousands of large trees with big trunks and extensive branches and tops half a Yojan in height. The ground is littered with sweet smelling fruits as sweet as nectar, as huge as war-drums, some golden, some green, some pale, some white in colour, all falling down and shattering themselves.
13. It is known as Shrivana. It is resorted to by Kinnaras, Yakşhas and Mahanagas (big serpents).
14. It is resorted to by Siddhas who subsist on Bilva fruits. Various groups of living beings (or goblins-Bhūtas) always reside in it.
15. The goddess Lakşhmi herself dwells there perpetually. She is worshipped by (groups of) Siddhas.
16-17. In the midst of the leading mountain Vikanka and Manishaila, there is an extensive Champaka forest, one hundred Yojanas wide and two hundred Yojanas long. It is resorted to by Siddhas and Chäraņas surrounded by rich and glorious crop of flowers. It appears to be glowing as if it were on fire.
1. This Champaka forest is located between Vikanka (Kungur) and Manishaila. It corresponds to the Yarkand oasis.
18. That forest appears to be yellow with trees with huge trunks and branches blooming with flowers and tops spread about half a Krośha upwards.
19-20. The flowers measure two Hastas (cubits) in girth and three Hastas in length. Their pale yellow filaments contain pollen powder resembling red arsenic. They are always in bloom and sweet smelling. The forest shines with these flowers. It is resonant with the humming of inebriated bees.
21. It is resorted to by Danavas, Devas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, Kinnaras, Apsaras-s and big serpents.
22-23. Here is also the hermitage of the holy Lord Kaśhyapa Prajapati, where Siddhas and Sadhyas are found in large numbers and is (as if) decorated with the sound of Vedic recitations. In the midst of the mountains Mahānīla and Kumunja,1 on the banks of the great river Sukha, resorted to by Siddhas, there is a charming palm forest fifty Yojanas in length and thirty Yojanas in width, with the top reaching a height of half Krośha.
1. This is the Akşhu oasis located at the foot of the Tien-shan. The ancient city of Akşhu (and Khotan) has been described highly by ancient and mediaeval travellers,
24. The Kumuda and Añjana trees have great roots and are very strong. They cluster together without any interstices between them. They are firm, great and circular in shape. Their smell and juice are sweet. This forest is inhabited by Siddhas.
25. It is the abode of the auspicious (type of elephants called Bhadra) Airavata, the Lord of elephants of the great Indra. It is well known in all the worlds.
26-27. To the north of the mountain Veņumān and Sumedha2, there is a big stretch of Dūrvă grass, a thousand Yojanas long and a hundred Yojanas wide, devoid of trees, hedges, creepers, winding plants and all kinds of animals.
2. Identified with the Taklamakan desert, the core of the Tarim-basin the Dead Heart of Asia (AGP 104).
28-29. Similarly, north of the mountains Nişhadha and Deva, there is a big rocky piece of land, a thousand Yojanas long and a hundred Yojanas wide. The ground is devoid of trees and creepers although it is moistened with ankle deep water.1.
1. M. Ali locates this region to the outer slopes of Mt. Kunlun and the subjacent range, the Altin Tagh. The region is on the southern border of the Tarim basin.
30. Thus, in due order, O leading Brahmanas, are described the valleys between the mountains. They are to the east of Meru and are of various shapes and sizes,