Sugreeve's Intelligence: The North

There's a saying, 'better late than never', so right; and i would like to make an add on to it: 'better late, than err'. After more than a month we are here with the last piece of the square, 'The North'. In the sub-series 'Sugreeve's Intelligence' we learned about the global locations then, pointed out by Sugreeve, and their relativity with times present; today we will learn about the Vaanar-team sent towards the Northern Direction, in search of Devi Sita. Let's continue:

Team North:

Vaanar Leader: Shatbali. Known for his acumen and spontaneity, Shatbali was well versed with the ways of the hills; hence Sugreeve appointed him to lead the expedition for the northern. 

Total no. of Vaanars sent: One Lakh.

Places Mentioned: Shatbali already looked poised to follow his emperor's directives, to fruition. Sugreeve foresaw his zeal and humbly updated him with his guidance. Since Shatbali knew about the kingdoms of Aryavart, Sugreeve gave him a broad idea about the northern and the places that proceed Aryavart: Malechh, Pulind, Shoorsen, Prasthal, Bharat, Kuru, Madra, Kamboj, Yavan and Shak, these and other subsidiary kingdoms adjacent; he asked Shatbali to stay vigilant while investigating thoroughly. In the Himalayaas, they needed to search in the bushy vicinities of Lodhra and Padmak trees, as well as the forests of Devdaars.

The next point, Somashram, which was served by the devas and the gandharvs, following which they would reach Kaal Mount. Sugreeve told Shatbali to not filter, but closely look out for all other subordinate mountains around the Kaal mount, and then after being reassured, they shall proceed to Sudarshan mountain.

Mount Sudarshan paved way towards Devsakh Mountain, habitation of the birds. After proceeding from this pleasant looking mount, they would arrive at an isolated place that had a 100 yojan spread; no rivers or mountains or any forests were established there, neither animals nor birds could be traced. The place was a void and hence disturbing; Sugreeve told him to pass the plateau without giving any consideration.

But the next destination after passing the plateau was a divine place, the holy site of Mount Kailash. The place was embellished with the divinity of Shivatva that encapsulates the whole Kailash. Within Kailash, the vaanars would find Kuber’s palace made by Vishwakarma; they needed to explore the whole mount including its caves and lakes.

Post Kailash, the next stop was Kaunchgiri Mountain; a peerless, but bizarre cavern, it has a strange entrance. Divine sages that are even venerated by the devas used to observe penance in that cave. Sugreeve cautioned Shatbali to not disturb them, instead to search other caves and peaks in the Kaunchgiri.

After crossing Kaunchgiri the vaanars would reach the Mainaak Mountain. The legendary mountain and the home of May Daanav built by himself for his dwelling. Crossing Mainaak, an uncanny city will come in their way. A bewildering ambiance, yet with an emptiness within the place; No Sun, Moon or the stars had there reach either in day or night. Neither the clouds nor their thunders, yet there was a brightness as if been lightened by the Sun. It was actually the resplendence of a revered sage, Devopam, that emitted from his body illuminating the surroundings.

The next spot was Shailoda River, the place was identifiable with bamboo trees at both of its sides. People cross the river from one side to the other with the help of these bamboos. That place was the legendary kingdom of North Kuru, which is graced by highly enlightened beings.  Mesmerizing blue lotuses embellished the whole surroundings, the riversides were filled with pearls, gold and precious stones, the mountains besides these rivers were source to precious gems. Enthralling trees released divine odor as well as divine juices and their touch bestowed to whatever the beings beneath it wished.

Beyond the North Kuru, it was the great sea of the north. In the middle of the sea, a famous mountain renowned as Somgiri was situated. Sugreeve told Shatbali and the vaanars to just visit the Somgiri and return from there as it was inaccessible for the devas even. He further told them to return from there as beyond that place, neither Sun’s rays go nor did he have any knowledge.

Today's Geography: Sugreeve directed Shatbali towards the North, according to his set parameters. The northern direction covered Malechh that is believed to be the northern borders of Aryavart. Pulind was situated in Vindhya ranges, can be identified to present day's Bundelkhand or, though unsure but it can be the distorted version of Kulind, a kingdom that is today’s Tibet-China area. Shoorsen was established by a Yaadav king, Shursena; in short, today's Mathura, while Prasthal is today's Jalandhar. Bharat was the area near Hastinapur, and Kuru is the famous kingdom  that was later ruled by the Paandavs, it covered regions of present day Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand and western Uttar Pradesh; Madra is believed to be in the regions of Pakistan, Sialkot in particular. Kamboj is believed to be in the Jammu-Pakistan border. Yavan though was the area beyond Malechh but is also believed to be in the Greek region; this might look slight contradictory, as in my last blog-post (WEST), where I tried to relate Mount Meghgiri with Mount Olympus, Greece. May be that time the borders of Greece/Yavan were extended, compared to present Greece. The kingdom of the Shaks' region could be traced to Afghanistan/Iran/Turkmenistan borders.

Since the Sudarshan Mountain falls on the way from Gangotri to Gomukh, in the glaciers of Raktvarn’; hence its precursor, Somashram could be in the Uttarakhand regions of Uttarkashi, probably the Badri-Kedar area,  as it is described being worshiped by devas.

The secluded area post Mount Devsakh hints towards the vast Tibetan plateau region, which clearly seems to have preceded the great Kailash Mountain, and the abode of Kuber that was also based in the Kailash region (Kuber Kund, near Kailash). Kaunchgiri Mountain, though not very explicit, but the mentioning of a peerless, but bizarre cavern points towards Amarnath cave; again, a possibility.

Shailoda River, has been identified in the areas of China-Russia borders, according to many findings; what's astonishing is the description of legendary kingdom of Uttar/North Kuru, abode of highly enlightened beings there, makes us proud of our immense heritage; and the mentioning of the great sea (Arctic Ocean) beyond North Kuru pretty much validates it.

{Uttar Kuru, home of the higher beings} [Image Source: DeviantArt]

Due to lack of further references, nothing can be surely said about the Somgiri Mountain of the North, may be the abodes of the Trinity mentioned here were temporary, may be they are still there and is unexplored or far from the eyes of the material world. There are many places that can't be traced due to the time gap and there are many places that I didn't mentioned due to the unconvincing factor in today's context; while the complete detailing have been addressed in my forthcoming book.

And here we finish this sub-series. I am sure this was one mind-boggling journey helped in getting a step closer to our past, helped in gaining knowledge, helped in gaining a perspective; in spite of how unconvincing it might look in absence of Sanatan sources and references; but all we need to do, is... READ.

Even Shri Ram was surprised with Sugreeve's profundity, he expressed his curiosity to the vaanar king. Sugreeve humbly answered; it all happened when Bali outcast him from Kishkindha and chased him everywhere. Running from his brother made Sugreeve the 'knower' of all directions and he was able to help Shri Ram and contribute in the fight against adharm.

"There ain't any limit to knowing; so, keep updating yourself and one day you might know the actual"

'सियाराम'