1847.] An Account of Ancient Excavations, 



SI 



collect the gold. At the same time the fire-rain falling, destroyed a 

 great many persons. Those persons who, not being stimulated by 

 the profferred gold, continued still shut up within the stone-houses 

 escaped. In this way originated those old excavations. But since 

 a long time has elapsed, people now erroneously think, that the 

 Pdndavas resided within them ; and hence term them the Pdntu- 

 grottoes. They ought to be termed P^r^fw-caves ; seeing that were 

 houses, or dwellings, constructed in order to escape from suffering 

 (or danger.) 



2'. Some persons term them Pantii-covil (or old temples, or 

 fanes). The detail is thus; anciently men paid homage to the 

 goddess named Nila-Mohini. The village-people annually were ac- 

 customed to render offerings to it (this goddess) each one going 

 alone, that the offering might not be polluted. As this was a sub- 

 terranean goddess, and since, as a preservative from pollution, it was 

 necessary to conduct the worship separately, some persons say, that 

 those stone-houses, called Pan/w-caverns were constructed in the 

 ground ; beneath every house, and all needful matters being put 

 therein, the annual offerings were every year made. 



3. Some term them dwellings of the Ciirumhars. That is to 

 say, while this land was still the Dandaca-aranya (or Dandaca wil- 

 derness) after the hunters (spoken of in the Bamayana) the Curum- 

 hars continued to dwell in these wilds. Some say, that they con- 

 structed these houses called Pa«^M-caverns, in order to protect, and 

 preserve, their wives and children. 



4. Some term them Hunter' S'Ca,ve8. Anciently, before the times 

 of the Curumhars, those who were in this Dandaca-aranyay with a 

 view to protect their wives and children, constructed these stone- 

 houses, under the ground. Such is the account of some persons. 



5. Many persons call them Vdli-\io\x8QS. The meaning is, that 

 during the wars (between Vali and Sugriven), in the reign of Rama^ 

 men with monkey-tails called Vdli dwelt under ground. They are 

 stated to have been Cdma-rupi^ (that is like the images of Cdma). 

 They constructed these houses; as some say for their places of 

 abode. 



6. Some term them Pantu-nithi (ancient hoards). The reason is 

 this: — In early times, ancient men constructing these houses, put 

 therein the wealth which they had acquired, and placed a magical 



♦ Cama-rupa-desa, one of the fifty-six Hindu countries, is considered to be Assam. 

 The Mughs of tiiat country have a peculiar kind of countenance. 



