1866.] Notes on Pilgrimages in the Country of Cashmere. 231 



No. 11. 



I now come to the last pilgrimage of which I have noted the details, 

 and which may perhaps be almost more properly called a fabulous 

 account of the river Vetusta, as I am not aware that it is at any time 

 undertaken by the Hindus of Cashmere, and as I rather think that 

 some of the places named are under the waters of that river. I 

 extract exactly as I find it in my notes. 



" Fabulous account of the origin of the river Jhelum or Vetusta." 



" Mahadeo being here engaged in self-contemplation, Raja Bhage- 

 " rut arrived, and prayed for a Nag or spring in which to bathe and be 

 " cleansed from his sins. A stream then issued from the head of the 

 " destroyer which, on arriving at Wampoo, was swallowed by a certain 

 " demon, rejoicing in the name of Kalneemie Assur. A second spring 

 " was in like manner swallowed by the thirsty demon. Whereupon 

 " Raja Bhagerut descended from his place of prayer at Vetusta Khoond, 

 " and engaged the demon, whom, after a brisk encounter (described 

 " in the graphic language of the Sanskrit ring (sic in MS.) he is 

 "stated to have "injured, but was unable to destroy or drive away." 

 " (Kalneemie Assur had probably graduated in the Vedic art of self- 

 " defence !) In fact it seems a polite way of stating that the Raja 

 "got the worst of it, as the demon is stated to have "given chase," 

 " and to have come up as far as Hurnag (Virnag) in pursuit. At this, 

 " however, the wrath of the destroyer was aroused. He encountered 

 " the demon, and slew him, got his " head in chancery" and finally 

 " "grassed" him* I have in my possession a picture of this event 

 " where Mahadeo is represented as literally " sitting" on his face ! 

 " Lion (or Mahadeo) then commanded the spring to follow Bhagirat 

 " Raja, who, descending the valley, passed successively." 



1. Kanibul. 2. Sumbooderi Tirat. 



3. Deokieyar. 4. Bejbeharie. 5. Sungum. 



6. Shriya. 7. Mullyar. 8. G-unputyar. 



" 9. Soomyar. 10. Baramoola, the residence of Raja Bhagerut, 

 " and where the pilgrimage terminates." Thus far my notes ! These 

 places represent the course of the river, and seem nearly identical 



* I am unable to translate with sufficient unction the various phases of 

 this grand passage of arm's (or wrestling match) between the two champions ; 

 and I hope the Society will pardon the terms employed as equivalents. 



