Cities, mountains, woods and rivers on the way to Kekaya 2.68.11-22
The messengers galloped on reaching the Malini river flowing between the extreme southern end of Aparatala Mountain and the northern end of Pralamba Mountain. (Malini is a small river that joins Ganga. On its bank the hermitage of sage Kanva existed.) Crossing the Ganga near Hastinapur, they proceeded westward and reaching the territory of Panchala through Kurujangala and observing lakes with full-blown flowers and rivers containing crystal-clear waters (Kurujangala lies on the western direction of the Kuru territory. It is a woodland.) Thereafter they crossed quickly the river Sharadanda, by name, which had pellucid, limpid water crowded with a variety of birds and people all round. Then they approached the divine Nikula tree on the west of Sharadanda, an abode of numerous boon-granting gods (hence, also called Satya-upyachana), which they circumambulated before touching a city called Kulinga, which is in the south of Kekaya territory and north of Kurukshetra, on the bank of river Sarasvati.
Thereafter they reached Ahikala and descended from the mountain called Bodhi-bhavana. They crossed the holy river, Ikshumali associated with the father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, etc. of the late King Dasaratha. From there, they beheld the illustrious brahmins who were masters in the study of the Vedas and lived on as much water as the hollow of their palms would contain. (It is just a measure. Drinking water in the palm of the hand is forbidden.)
Even though their horses were fatigued, the messengers quickly reached the beautiful city of Girivraja (also called Rajagriha).
Cities, mountains, woods and rivers on the way to Kekaya 2.68.11-22
The messengers galloped on reaching the Malini river flowing between the extreme southern end of Aparatala Mountain and the northern end of Pralamba Mountain. (Malini is a small river that joins Ganga. On its bank the hermitage of sage Kanva existed.) Crossing the Ganga near Hastinapur, they proceeded westward and reaching the territory of Panchala through Kurujangala and observing lakes with full-blown flowers and rivers containing crystal-clear waters (Kurujangala lies on the western direction of the Kuru territory. It is a woodland.) Thereafter they crossed quickly the river Sharadanda, by name, which had pellucid, limpid water crowded with a variety of birds and people all round. Then they approached the divine Nikula tree on the west of Sharadanda, an abode of numerous boon-granting gods (hence, also called Satya-upyachana), which they circumambulated before touching a city called Kulinga, which is in the south of Kekaya territory and north of Kurukshetra, on the bank of river Sarasvati.
Thereafter they reached Ahikala and descended from the mountain called Bodhi-bhavana. They crossed the holy river, Ikshumali associated with the father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, etc. of the late King Dasaratha. From there, they beheld the illustrious brahmins who were masters in the study of the Vedas and lived on as much water as the hollow of their palms would contain. (It is just a measure. Drinking water in the palm of the hand is forbidden.)
Even though their horses were fatigued, the messengers quickly reached the beautiful city of Girivraja (also called Rajagriha).