Hingula

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Hingula (हिंगुल) is ancient name of a province in Baluchistan in Pakistan. Hingula people are mentioned in Mahabharata Sabhaparva-51 in the list of the Kings who presented tributes to Yudhishthira. Hingula River (हिंगुला) is mentioned by Panini. Buddhist literature mentions Hingula Parvata (हिंगुल पर्वत ).

Variants

• Hingula हिंगुल (AS, p.1020)
• Hingula Parvata हिंगुल पर्वत
• Hiṅgulapabbata (हिंगुल पब्बत)
• Hingol River

Mention by Panini

Hingula River (हिंगुला) is mentioned by Panini.

History

Hingol River or Hungol River (Urdu: دریائے ہنگول‎) is located in the Makran region, in the Gwadar District of southeastern Balochistan Province, in southwestern Pakistan. The river and valley are protected within Hingol National Park.

The Hingol River is 560 km long, the longest in Balochistan. It winds through the Makran Coastal Range and Hungol Valley between high cliffs. The river flows all year long, unlike most other streams in Balochistan which only flow during rare rains.

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V S Agarwal mentions....[p.39]: These six names (of mountains) seem to be taken from some Bhuvanakosha list, giving in order the ranges on the western frontiers from Afghanistan to Baluchistan. Starting from below, Shalvakagiri is phonetically the name of [p.40]: Hala Range lying north-south between Sind and Baluchistan. To the west of it is the Makran chain of hills the home of the Hingula River and Hingulaja goddess, Hingula seems to be the Prakrit form of Kimsulaka. It was also called by its synonymous name, the Parada country, Pardene of classical writers, corresponding to Pardayana of Patanjali (IV.2.99). Goddess Hihgula of this place is of vermilion colour, also called Dadhiparni, because of its association with the ancient Scythian tribes of Dahae and Parnians. It was worshipped also as Nani, or Nana of antiquity.

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Hiṅgula (हिङ्गुल) or Hiṅgulapabbata is the name of a mountain situated in Aparāntaka (western district) of ancient India, as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts (detailing the geography of ancient India as it was known in to Early Buddhism).—The Hiṅgula-pabbata is in the Himavantapadesa. Hinglāj is situated at the extremity of the range of mountains in Beluchisthan called by the name of Hiṅgulā, about 20 miles or a day’s journey from the sea-coast, on the bank of the Aghor or Hiṅgulā or Hingol River near its mouth.

Various definitions

Hiṅgula (हिङ्गुल) is the name of a tree found in maṇidvīpa (Śakti’s abode), according to the Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa 12.10. Accordingly, these trees always bear flowers, fruits and new leaves, and the sweet fragrance of their scent is spread across all the quarters in this place. The trees (e.g. Hiṅgula) attract bees and birds of various species and rivers are seen flowing through their forests carrying many juicy liquids. Maṇidvīpa is defined as the home of Devī, built according to her will. It is compared with Sarvaloka, as it is superior to all other lokas.

Hiṅgulā (हिङ्गुला) is the name of a Śāktapīṭha mentioned in the Kulārṇavatantra. The Kulārṇava-tantra is an important 11th century work for the Kaula school of Śāktism. It refers to eighteen such Śākta-pīṭhas (e.g. Hiṅgulā) which is defined as a sacred sanctuary of Devī located here on earth. According to legend, there are in total fifty-one such sanctuaries (pīṭha) on earth, created from the corresponding parts of Devī’s body,

Hiṅgula (हिङ्गुल) refers to “vermilion”: a mineral that was typically mined, extracted and used (both domestic and industrial) in ancient India. Mining was an important industry at that time as well. The Jaina canonical texts mention about the extraction of various kinds of minerals, metals and precious stones. The term ‘āgara’ occurring intire texts denotes the mines which provided many kinds of mineral products (e.g., hiṅgula). The references in the texts of various professions and trade in metallic commodities clearly show a highly developed industry of mining and metallurgy in that period.

हिंगुल

हिंगुल (AS, p.1020): बलूचिस्तान के प्रदेश का एक प्राचीन भारतीय नाम है। यह प्रदेश हींग के उत्पादन के लिए प्राचीन समय से ही प्रसिद्ध है। युधिष्ठिर के राजसूय यज्ञ [p.1021]: में हिंगुल निवासी भेंट लेकर उपस्थित हुए। (महाभारत, सभापर्व 51) यह स्थान सती के 51 पीठों में से है।