Mahabharat: Geographical listings, Part-1.

Preface

I believe that History is lame without Geography. While significant challenges exist in approximating the places mentioned in the Indian epics, historians, archaeologists and other professionals have worked hard for decades to do so.
I have reproduced the places, as-is(including the language and script), from the epic, also, at least once event associated with each place is reproduced.
I have deliberately avoided to associate these listings with the current places, as it would not only take a long time but also it is difficult to find reliable sources for most of the listings. Having said that, I might undertake this task, in future – the readers are encouraged and requested to provide reliable material for this task.

Cities, Towns, Villages, etc.

1. उपप्लव्यनगर
   • Pandavas stayed here, after completing their exile in the forests(Hindi: वनवास) of 13 years and an year of anonymity (Hindi: अज्ञातवास).
2. हस्तिनापुर/हास्तिनपुर
   • Suhotra(Hindi: सुहोत्र) married a woman belonging to the इक्ष्वाकुकुल. She gave birth to a boy named Hasti(Hindi: हस्ती), after whom the city was named.
3. एकचक्रा
   • Pandavas and Kunti stayed in this city/town during their incognito life after escaping the lakshagriha(Hindi: लाक्षागृह).
4. अहिच्छत्रा
   • Drupad was staying(based?)in this city, when Pandavas completed their training under Dron.
   • During his Rajasuya campaign, Bhimsen negotiated a deal with the Panchals.
5. पौदन्य
   • Ruled by king Ashmak(Hindi: अश्मक).
6. देवप्रस्थ: Capital of the kingdom ruled by Kinug Senabindu(Hindi: सेनाबिन्दु).
   • During his Rajasuya(Hindi: राजसूय) expedition to the northern region, Arjun camped here, after defeating the rulers of पंचगण.
7. The rulers are referred as Pauravas(Hindi: पौरव), but the geographical area is not mentioned. Arjun defeated the then Paurav king, विष्वगश्व.
8. अभिसारी
   • Arjun conquered it during his Rajasuya expedition.
9. उरगा
   • During his Rajasuya expedition, Arjun defeated king Rochmaan(Hindi: रोचमान), based here.
10. सिंहपुर
    • King Chitrayudh(Hindi: चित्रायुध)ruled here, he was defeated by Arjun during the latter’s Rajasuya expedition.
11. सुकुमार: Ruled by Pulindas(Hindi: पुलिन्द)
    • It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya expedition.
12. गिरिव्रज
    • Bhimsen negotiated with Jarasandh‘s son, Sahadev, wherein the latter agreed to pay taxes.
13. भोजकट
    • During his Rajasuya expedition, Sahadev defeated Bhishmak(Hindi: भीष्मक) in this city. The battle lasted for 2 days.
14. रम्यग्राम
    • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya expedition.
15. माहिष्मतीपुरी
    • During his Rajasuya expedition, Sahadev was stopped/checked by King Neel(Hindi: नील) and Agnidev(Hindi: अग्निदेव).
16. संजयन्ती
    • Sahadev sent his envoy during his Rajasuya expedition, and the city agreed to pay taxes to Indraprastha.
17. आटवीपुरी
    • Sahadev sent his envoy during his Rajasuya expedition, and the city agreed to pay taxes to Indraprastha.
18. शोणितपुर
    • Banasur(Hindi: बाणासुर) ruled this city.

States/Republics(जनपद) & Inc.

1. चेदिदेश
   • King Uparichar(Hindi: उपरिचर) was crowned as the king, by Indra(Hindi: इंद्र)
2. म्लेच्छदेश: This is a general term used for any region that was primarily inhabited by Mlechhas(Hindi: म्लेंच्छ)
   • King Dushyant(Hindi: दुष्यंत) ruled and protected some of such regions.
3. मगधदेश
   • Pandu(Hindi:पांडु) defeated and slayed the king Dirgha(Hindi: दीर्घ)
4. मिथिला
   • Pandu attacked and defeated the rulers, who belonged to the विदेह clan.
5. काशी
   • Subdued by Pandu.
6. सहा
   • Subdued by Pandu.
7. पुंड्र
   • Subdued by Pandu.
   • Captured by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign.
8. दशार्ण: धसान river flowed/flows from this region. Vidisha(Hindi: विदिशा), the modern day Bhilsa, was the capital.
   • Subdued by Pandu.
   • It was conquered by Nakul during his Rajasuya campaign.
9. सौवीर
   • Pandavas defeated and slew an (unnamed)king of this desh(Hindi: देश)(जनपद?).
   • Arjun slew king Vipul of this desh.
10. यवनदेश(यूनान)
    • Arjun conquered this region.
11. मत्स्य
    • During their incognito life after escaping the lakshagriha, Pandavas and Kunti traveled via the jungles and lakes of this janpad.
    • It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign.
12. त्रिगर्त
    • During their incognito life after escaping the lakshagriha, Pandavas and Kunti traveled via the jungles and lakes of this janpad.
    • The ruler surrendered to Arjun, during the latter’s Rajasuya campaign.
    • It was conquered by Nakul during his Rajasuya campaign.
13. पंचाल
    • During their incognito life after escaping the lakshagriha, Pandavas and Kunti traveled via the jungles and lakes of this janpad.
14. कीचक
    • During their incognito life after escaping the lakshagriha, Pandavas and Kunti traveled via the jungles and lakes of this janpad.
15. कान्यकुब्ज
    • King Gaadhi(Hindi: गाधि) ruled here.
16. कुलिन्द
    • During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated the rulers of this kingdom.
17. कालकूट
    • During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated the rulers of this kingdom.
18. आनर्त
    • During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated the rulers of this kingdom.
19. प्राग्ज्योतिषपुर: There is a mention of the ruler, King Bhagadatt(Hindi: भागादत्त), supported by किरात, and warriors from China and ‘warriors from other islands based in seas’. This implies that China was, at least as a geographical and political entity, was known to the then Indians.
    • During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated the ruler of this kingdom.
20. उलूक: The ruler, King Bruhant(Hindi: बृहन्त), is referred as पर्वतराज or king/inhabitant of mountains, which implies that उलूक was situated in a mountainous region.
    • During his Rajasuya campaign Arjun defeated the rulers of this kingdom.
21. मोदापुर
    • During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated the rulers of this kingdom.
22. वामदेव
    • During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated the rulers of this kingdom.
23. सुदामा
    • During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated the rulers of this kingdom.
24. सुसंकुल
    • During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated the rulers of this kingdom.
25. पंचगण
    • During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated the rulers of this kingdom.
26. काश्मीर
    • During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated the ruler of this kingdom.
27. दार्व
    • The ruler surrendered to Arjun, during the latter’s Rajasuya campaign.
28. कोकनद
    • The ruler surrendered to Arjun, during the latter’s Rajasuya campaign.
29. सुह्म
    • Arjun defeated the rulers of this kingdom during his Rajasuya campaign.
30. चोल
    • Arjun defeated the rulers of this kingdom during his Rajasuya campaign.
31. The name of the kingdom is not mentioned. During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated rulers known as the Bahiks(Hindi: बाह्लीक).
32. काम्बोज
    • Arjun defeated the rulers of this kingdom during his Rajasuya campaign.
33. दरद
    • Arjun defeated the rulers of this kingdom during his Rajasuya campaign.
34. लोह
    • Arjun defeated the rulers of this kingdom during his Rajasuya campaign.
35. परमकाम्बोज
    • Arjun defeated the rulers of this kingdom during his Rajasuya campaign.
36. ऋषिक
    • Arjun defeated the rulers of this kingdom during his Rajasuya campaign.
37. किम्पुरुष
    • Arjun defeated the rulers of this kingdom during his Rajasuya campaign.
38. हाटक
    • Arjun diplomatically subdued the rulers of this kingdom during his Rajasuya campaign.
39. केतुमाल
    • Arjun conquered this janpad during this Rajasuya campaign.
40. भद्राश्व
    • Arjun conquered this janpad during this Rajasuya campaign.
41. हिरण्यक
    • Arjun conquered this janpad during this Rajasuya campaign.
42. गंडक
    • It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign.
43. विदेह(मिथिला)
    • It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign.
44. दशार्ण
    • It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign. No battles were waged but only a wrestling duel between Bhimsen and King Sudharma.
45. अश्वमेध
    • It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign.
46. कुमार
    • It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign, by defeating it’s king, श्रेणिमान्
47. कोसल
    • It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign, by defeating it’s king, बृहद्बल.
48. अयोध्या
    • Humbled by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign, by negotiating with its ruler, king दीर्घयज्ञ.
49. गोपालकक्ष
    • It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign.
50. उत्तर कोसल
    • It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign.
51. मल्लराष्ट्र
    • It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign by defeating it’s ruler, king पार्थिव.
52. जलोद्भव: Located ‘near’ Himalay.
    • It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign.
53. भल्लाट
    • During his Rajasuya campaign, Bhimsen captured states around this state.
54. काशी
    • During his Rajasuya campaign, Bhimsen captured states around this state, by defeating it’s ruler सुबाहु.
55. मलद
    • It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign.
56. अनघ
    • It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign.
57. अभय
    • It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign.
58. दक्षिण मल्लदेश
    • – It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign.
59. वंग
    • – It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign.
60. लौहित्य: Possibly, a coastal or nearby a sea.
    • The epic quotes – वहाँ उन्होंने(Bhimsen) समुद्रके टापुओंमें रहनेवाले बहुत-से म्लेच्छ राजाओंको जीतकर उनसे करके रूपमें भाँति-भाँतिके रत्न वसूल किये.
61. नरराष्ट्र
    • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.
62. कुन्तिभोज
    • This state heartily surrendered to Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.
63. गोशृंगक: Probably, a small, mountainous(an adjective पर्वतप्रवर is used in it’s mention) state.
    • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.
64. सेक
    • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.
65. अपरसेक
    • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.
66. अवन्ती
    • During his Rajasuya campaign, Sahadev captured it after defeating it’s princes विन्द and अनुविन्द.
67. कान्तारक
    • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.
68. पूर्वकोसल
    • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.
69. पाण्ड्य
    • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.
70. त्रिपुरी
    • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign by defeating it’s ruler, अमितौजा.
71. सुराष्ट्र
    • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign by defeating it’s ruler, कौशिकाचार्य.
72. शूर्पारक
    • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.
73. तालाकट
    • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.
74. सुरभीपत्तन
    • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.
75. तिमिंगिल
    • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.
76. पाखण्ड
    • Sahadev sent his envoy during his Rajasuya campaign, and the state agreed to pay taxes to Indraprastha.
77. करहाटक
    • Sahadev sent his envoy during his Rajasuya campaign, and the state agreed to pay taxes to Indraprastha.
78. पाण्ड्य
    • Sahadev sent his envoy during his Rajasuya campaign, and the state agreed to pay taxes to Indraprastha.
79. द्रविड
    • Sahadev sent his envoy during his Rajasuya campaign, and the state agreed to pay taxes to Indraprastha.
80. उण्ड्र
    • Sahadev sent his envoy during his Rajasuya campaign, and the state agreed to pay taxes to Indraprastha.
81. केरल
    • Sahadev sent his envoy during his Rajasuya campaign, and the state agreed to pay taxes to Indraprastha.
82. आन्ध्र
    • Sahadev sent his envoy during his Rajasuya campaign, and the state agreed to pay taxes to Indraprastha.
83. तालवन
    • Sahadev sent his envoy during his Rajasuya campaign, and the state agreed to pay taxes to Indraprastha.
84. कलिंग
    • Sahadev sent his envoy during his Rajasuya campaign, and the state agreed to pay taxes to Indraprastha.
85. उष्ट्रकर्णिक
    • Sahadev sent his envoy during his Rajasuya campaign, and the state agreed to pay taxes to Indraprastha.
86. लंका
    • Sahadev sent Ghatotkach as an envoy to Lanka. His diplomatic maneuvers proved successful – Lanka paid riches/tributes to Indraprastha.
87. मरुभूमि (मारवाड़)
    • It was conquered by Nakul during his Rajasuya campaign.
88. प्रचुर
    • It was conquered by Nakul during his Rajasuya campaign.
89. शैरीषक: Abundant grain cultivation.
    • It was conquered by Nakul during his Rajasuya campaign.
90. महोत्थ: Abundant grain cultivation.
    • It was conquered by Nakul during his Rajasuya campaign.
91. शिबि
    • It was conquered by Nakul during his Rajasuya campaign.
92. अम्बष्ठ
    • It was conquered by Nakul during his Rajasuya campaign.
93. मालव
    • It was conquered by Nakul during his Rajasuya campaign.
94. पंचकर्पट
    • It was conquered by Nakul during his Rajasuya campaign.
95. वाटधान
    • It was conquered by Nakul during his Rajasuya campaign.
96. पंचनददेश (पंजाब)
    • It was conquered by Nakul during his Rajasuya campaign.
97. उत्तरज्योतिष
    • It was conquered by Nakul during his Rajasuya campaign.
98. शाकल
    • It was conquered by Nakul during his Rajasuya campaign.
99. मद्रदेश
    • The state willingly paid tributes, in form of riches e.g: pearls, to Indraprastha.

Regions

1. शाकलद्वीप: As per Wikipedia, this region was situated in the vicinity of Ural mountains. If this is the fact, it indicates that the then Indians had not only the knowledge of the territories beyond the Indian subcontinent, they also traveled/conducted expeditions there.
   • During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated the rulers of this region.
2. अन्तर्गिरि
   • During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated the rulers of this region.
3. बहिर्गिरि
   • During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated the rulers of this region.
4. उपगिरि
   • During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated the rulers of this region.
5. उत्तर उलूक देशों or the regions north of उलूक.
   • During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated the rulers of these regions.
6. हिमवान्(Himalayas?)
   • During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated the rulers of these regions.
7. निष्कुट
   • During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated the rulers of these regions.
8. हरिवर्ष: Described as a region consisting beautiful woods, cities and pristine rivers.
   • Arjun conquered this region during his Rajasuya campaign.
9. पशुभूमि (पशुपतिनाथके निकटवर्ती स्थान—नेपाल)
   • Bhimsen captured this place during his Rajasuya campaign.
10. An unnamed region controlled by the Nagas(Hindi: नाग) was conquered by Arjun during his Rajasuya campaign. This region lied to the west of the Jambunadi.
11. An unnamed region controlled by the गुह्यक people was conquered by Arjun during his Rajasuya campaign.
12. उत्तर कुरुदेश
    • Arjun negotiated with the rulers of this region and retrieved riches for Indraprastha, instead of waging battles.
13. निषाददेश: I am unclear about the nature of this place – निषाद were tribal folk, and the word is used throughout the epic, often making it difficult to establish the geographic extent and classification.
    • It was captured by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.

Holy sites(Hindi: तीर्थ)

1. Located ‘on’ मेरु पर्वत
   • अलम्बतीर्थ
     • Garud(Hindi:गरुड़) reached this place after consuming a mammoth/elephant(reincarnation of Supratik(Hindi: सुप्रतीक)) and gigantic turtle(reincarnation of Vibhavasu(Hindi: विभावसु)) which was guarding Amrut(Hindi:अमृत) stolen from the Devas.
     • As per the epic – ‘bearing silvery and golden-coloured fruits and sea water sprinkles on them’.
   • बदरिकाश्रम
     • Shesh(Hindi:शेष) performed tap(Hindi: तप) here.
2. गोकर्ण
   • Shesh(Hindi:शेष) performed tap(Hindi: तप) here.
3. पुष्कर
   • Shesh(Hindi:शेष) performed tap(Hindi: तप) here.
4. सोमाश्रयायण: Located on the banks of river Ganga.
   • After leaving एकचक्रा, Pandavas and Kunti reached this place, around twilight.
5. उत्कोचक
   • After establishing Indraprastha(Hindi: इंद्रप्रस्थ), Pandavas visited Dhaumya’s(Hindi: धौम्य) ashram(Hindi:आश्रम).
6. हिरण्यबिंदु
   • After staying with Ulupi for some days, Arjun headed towards Himalayas. Later, he visited this place.
7. गयातीर्थ
   • After staying with Ulupi for some days, Arjun headed towards Himalayas. Later, he visited this place.
8. अगस्त्यतीर्थ
   • During his 12-year solo exile, Arjun visited this place.
9. सौभद्र-तीर्थ
   • During his 12-year solo exile, Arjun visited this place.
10. पौलोमतीर्थ
    • During his 12-year solo exile, Arjun visited this place.
11. कारन्धमतीर्थ
    • During his 12-year solo exile, Arjun visited this place.
12. भारद्वाजतीर्थ
    • During his 12-year solo exile, Arjun visited this place.

Places

1. प्रभासक्षेत्र
   • Arjun and Krishna met here.
2. समंतपंचक्षेत्र
   • Parshuram(Hindi: परशुराम) created 5 lakes, from the blood of the Kshatriyas he defeated.
3. मानसरोवर
   • Arjun visited during his Rajasuya campaign.

Unclassified

• मारुध
  • It was captured by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.

Caves

• किष्किन्धा
  • During his Rajasuya campaign, Sahadev waged a battle against मैन्द and द्विविद, in this cave.

Mountains

1. मेरु: Consisted many sunlit peaks
   • Devas(Hindi: देव) and the Gandharvas(Hindi: गन्धर्व) reside(d) here.
   • Arjun crossed this mountain during his Rajasuya campaign.
2. नागशत
   • Pandu’s visit, during his penance-oriented vanvaas with his wives.
3. कालकूट
   • Pandu’s visit, during his penance-oriented vanvaas with his wives.
4. गन्धमादन: Lied to the west of Jambunadi.
   • Pandu’s visit, during his penance-oriented vanvaas with his wives.
   • Arjun subdued the inhabitants of this mountain during his Rajasuya expedition.
   • Draupadi sent Bhimsen(Hindi: भीमसेन) to the गन्धमादन mountain to fetch fragrant lotuses.
5. शतशृंग
   • Pandu’s visit, during his penance-oriented vanvaas with his wives.
   • The Rishis-Munis(Hindi: ऋषि – मुनि) acted as foster parents to the Pandavas and protected and nurtured them.
6. अगस्त्यवट(near/in Himalayas)
   • After staying with Ulupi for some days, Arjun headed towards Himalayas, and visited this place.
7. वसिष्ठपर्वत(near/in Himalayas)
   • After staying with Ulupi for some days, Arjun headed towards Himalayas, and visited this place.
8. भृगुतुंग(near/in Himalayas)
   • After staying with Ulupi for some days, Arjun headed towards Himalayas, and visited this place.
9. During his Rajasuya campaign, Arjun defeated 7 ‘दल'(उत्सवसंकेत) of bandits who lived in mountains. The names of the mountains aren’t mentioned.
10. धवलगिरी
    • Arjun camped here during his Rajasuya campaign.
11. हेमकूट
    • Arjun camped here during his Rajasuya campaign.
12. निषधपर्वत
    • Arjun subjugated the residents of this mountain.
13. गिरिप्रवर
14. मन्दराचल: In vicinity of मेरु
15. माल्यवान्
    • Arjun crossed this mountain during his Rajasuya campaign.
16. नीलगिरि
    • Arjun subdued the inhabitants of this mountain during his Rajasuya campaign.
17. शुक्तिम
    • Bhimsen captured this mountain during his Rajasuya campaign.
18. मदधार
    • It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign.
19. भोगवान्
    • It was conquered by Bhimsen during his Rajasuya campaign.
20. कोलगिरि
    • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.
21. रामकपर्वत
    • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.
22. रोहीतक
    • Nakul passed by this mountain, during his Rajasuya campaign.
23. अमरपर्वत
    • It was conquered by Nakul during his Rajasuya campaign.

Rivers

1. वधूसरा
2. धसान
3. गंगा
   • Dron kept the northern part of the river and handed the southern part back to Drupad.
   • After escaping from the lakshagriha, Pandavas and Kunti crossed Ganga.
4. उत्पलिनी: Flew through नैमिषारण्य.
   • After staying with Ulupi for some days, Arjun headed towards Himalayas. Later, he visited this place.
5. नन्दा
   • After staying with Ulupi for some days, Arjun headed towards Himalayas. Later, he visited this place.
6. अपरनन्दा
   • After staying with Ulupi for some days, Arjun headed towards Himalayas. Later, he visited this place.
7. यशस्विनी कौशिकी(कोसी)
   • After staying with Ulupi for some days, Arjun headed towards Himalayas. Later, he visited this place.
8. महानदी
   • After staying with Ulupi for some days, Arjun headed towards Himalayas. Later, he visited this place.
9. जम्बूनदी
   • Arjun passed through the basin of this river, during his Rajasuya campaign.
10. शैलोदा:
    • During his Rajasuya expedition, Arjun subdued various tribals residing on the banks of this river.
11. गण्डकी: On it’s bank was located the Janpad of गण्डक.
    • Bhimsen subdued Gandak during his Rajasuya expedition.
12. नर्मदा
    • After conquering सेक andअपरसेक, Sahadev headed southward, towards Narmada.
13. चर्मण्वती
    • During his Rajasuya campaign, Sahadev defeated Jambhak’s(Hindi: जम्भक) son on the banks of this river.
14. वेणा
    • Kingdoms situated in the basin of this river were conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.
15. सरस्वती
    • During his Rajasuya campaign, Nakul subdued the various primitive races inhabiting the basin of river Saraswati.

Islands

1. जम्बूद्वीप
2. There is mention of 7 more ‘द्वीप’ in the vicinity of शाकलद्वीप
   • During his Rajasuya(Hindi: राजसूय) expedition to the northern region, Arjun defeated the rulers of this region.
3. इलावृत: Central part of जम्बूद्वीप
   • Arjun defeated the rulers during his Rajasuya expedition.
4. रामणीयक द्वीप
   • In the deep sea(which?), there was an island with this name and is quoted by Kadru to be ‘an idyllic abode of the Nagas’
5. After conquering दण्डकारण्य, Sahadev defeated inhabitants of unnamed islands. The epic quotes:
   समुद्रके द्वीपोंमें निवास करनेवाले म्लेच्छजातीय राजाओं, निषादों तथा राक्षसों, कर्णप्रावरणोंको भी परास्त किया|
6. ताम्रद्वीप
   • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya expedition.
7. Nakul subdued various primitive races who inhabited islands in the western seas of the then India. The epic quotes:
   … समुद्री टापुओंमें रहनेवाले अत्यन्त भयंकर म्लेच्छ, पह्लव, बर्बर, किरात, यवन और शकोंको जीता …

Forests/Jungles

1. नैमिषारण्य
   • Ugrashrawa narrated Mahabharat to Maharshi Shaunak.
2. चैत्ररथ
   • Pandu’s visit, during his penance-oriented vanvaas with his wives.
3. Pandavas and Draupadi traveled through the following forests, during their vanvaas.
   • द्वैतवन
     • Entry: After Krishna escorted Subhadra’s sons to Dwarka and Dhrishtadyumna escorted Draupadi’s sons.
   • काम्यकवन
     • Entry: After Vyas(Hindi: व्यास) tutored Yudhisthir about the Pratismruti vidya(Hindi: प्रतिस्मृति विद्या).
     • Soon, Arjun(Hindi: अर्जुन) left the rest of the Pandavas and went on an expedition to trace and learn the skills to wield and use Divyastras(Hindi: दिव्यास्त्र).
   • कदलीवन
     • Draupadi sent Bhimsen to the गन्धमादन mountain to fetch fragrant lotuses. En route, Bhimsen encountered Hanuman(Hindi: हनुमान) in कदलीवन.
4. दण्डकारण्य
   • It was conquered by Sahadev during his Rajasuya campaign.

Disclaimer

1. I am interested in factual history, rather than novels or fictional depictions of historical entities and with this hat on, I have started to read Mahabharat.
2. My primary goal is to slice-and-dice the epic on several parameters – it’s characters, geographical listings, specific events e.g. boons and curses, facts lesser-known to the masses(that includes me), and so on.
3. I have tried to reproduce the facts as mentioned in the original epic, in other words, AS-IS. I have also tried my best to avoid expressing my own guesswork & opinions but wherever I couldn’t avoid, I have marked the text in grey.
4. Related to point 3. – I have refrained from commenting/skipping/justifying/opposing facts that seem unrealistic, unscientific, improbable, etc.
5. Errors in translation, interpretation of metaphors, geographical entities might have crept in. Constructive corrections are welcome.
6. The posts should be read and interpreted with the above points in mind, otherwise, I have no intentions and capabilities to evaluate or criticize a timeless legend like Mahabharat and it’s characters.
7. As an epic, I doubt there would be any Indian who is unaware of Mahabharat and I belong to that humongous population. My intention was/is to gain, at least a brief, understanding of the political and social events during that era. I wish to learn about the simultaneous and sequential events that occurred in the then known geographical areas.
8. I am completely aware of the rule of reading History – one should not judge the past based on the present standards, paradigms and situations.
9. I dislike the English language’s norm of appending ‘a’ to Indian epic names(Rama, Ravana, Ganesha, Shiva, etc.), hence, as far as possible, I have deliberately avoided the English language interpretation of ‘schwa‘. This is not always possible though e.g: ‘Kaurav’ and ‘Pandav’ are terms that designate lineage, not a number. So, plural reference, it is necessary to use ‘Kauravas’ and ‘Pandavas’. Another deviation from English language rules is spelling words as per their phonetic sound in Hindi e.g: ‘यज्ञ’ has been written as ‘yagya’ and not ‘yajna’.
10. The readers can be of diverse backgrounds, especially, in terms of their knowledge about Mahabharat. My posts are written based on my ( limited)knowledge of facts, which may differ from the readers. Constructive feedback is welcome. For discussions, please drop a personal message.