82 ELLIOT SMITH, Distribution of Mummification. 



with the serpent-worshipping people of ancient Media, 

 and the neighbouring countries, which has already been 

 referred to, must have led to a very early development of 

 trade with the Persian Gulf. 



" The Asuras were actively engaged in ' The Churn- 

 ing of the Ocean' (Mahabharata, Adi, Astika, p. xviii.), 

 which is but an allegorical description of sea-borne com- 

 merce in its early days " (op. cit., p. 58). 



"In the Mahabharata, the ocean is described as the 

 habitation of the Nagas and the residence of the Asuras ; 

 it is also said to be the refuge of the defeated Asuras 

 (Mahabharata, Adi, Astika, p. xxii.). This was no doubt 

 because marauding bands of this people retreated to their 

 ships after an unsuccessful raid. Thus we find that on 

 the death of Vrita, his followers took refuge in the sea 

 {Mahabharata, Vana, Tirtiiayatra, p. ciii.). So also did 

 the Asura Panchajana, who lived in Patala, when he was 

 pursued by Krishna ( Vishnu Pnrana, v., xxi., 526). And 

 so did the Danavas when defeated by the Devas at 

 the churning of the ocean (Mahabharata, Adi, Astika, 

 p. xix.)." 



" An ancient legend, given in the Mahabharata, relates 

 how Kadru, mother of the serpents, compelled Garuda to 

 convey her sons across the sea into a beautiful country in 

 a distant region, which was inhabited by Nagas. After 

 encountering a violent storm and great heat, the sons of 

 Karur were landed in the country of Ramaniaka, on the 

 Malabar coast." 



" This territory had been occupied previously by a 

 fierce Asura named Lavana (Mahabharata, Adi, Astika, 

 p. xxvii.). So there had been a still earlier colonization 

 by the same race." 



" Naga chiefs are frequently mentioned as ruling 

 countries in or under the sea" (p. 61). 



