Kekeya, Rajagriha and Girivraja
उभौ
भरत शत्रुघ्नौ क्केकयेषु परम् तपौ |
पुरे राज गृहे रम्ये
मातामह निवेशने || २-६७-७
पुरम् राज गृहम् गत्वा
शीघ्रम् शीघ्र जवैः हयैः |
त्यक्त शोकैः इदम् वाच्यः शासनात् भरतः मम || २-६८-६
दत्तपथ्यशना दूताजग्मुः स्वम्
स्वम् निवेशनम् |
केकयांस्ते गमिष्यन्तो हयानारुह्य सम्मतान् || २-६८-१०
विष्णोः पदम् प्रेक्षमाणा
विपाशाम् चापि शाल्मालीम् |
नदीर्वापीस्तटाकानि पल्वलानि सरांसि च || २-६८-१९
पस्यन्तो विविधांश्चापि सिमहव्याग्रमृगद्विपान् |
ययुः पथातिमहता शासनम् भर्तुरीप्सवः || २-६८-२०
ते श्रान्त वाहना दूता
विकृष्टेन सता पथा |
गिरि व्रजम् पुर वरम् शीघ्रम् आसेदुर् अन्जसा || २-६८-२१
भरते ब्रुवति स्वप्नम् दूताः
ते क्लान्त वाहनाः |
प्रविश्य असह्य परिखम् रम्यम् राज गृहम् पुरम् || २-७०-१
समागम्य तु राज्ञा च राज पुत्रेण च अर्चिताः |
राज्ञः पादौ गृहीत्वा तु तम् ऊचुर् भरतम् वचः || २-७०-२
Translation:
2.67.7: Both Bharata and Shatrughna, the annihilator of enemies, are encamped in the beautiful house of their maternal uncle in the city of Rajagriha in the kingdom of Kekaya.
2.68.6: After starting quickly from here by traveling in rapidly running horses, you reach the city of Rajagriha. After relieving yourself of the grief, you have to tell Bharata these words as my orders
2.68.10: The messengers, who are going to leave for the land of Kekayas, took sufficient eatables required on their way and went to their respective houses, by riding on their admirable horses.
2.68.19-20: Perceiving a locality called Vishnu padam, Vipasa river, Salmali trees, rivers, ponds, tanks, pools and lakes, as well as seeing many kinds of lions, tigers, antelopes and elephants, they proceeded by that broad lofty high way desirous as they were to execute the command of their master.
2.68.21: Those messengers, though riding on tired horses on a long route, reached quickly and safely to the excellent city of Girivraja.
2.70.1: While Bharata was narrating his dream, the messengers whose horses were tired, entered the beautiful city called Rajagriha, which has too big a palace-gate and met the king Kekeya and the prince Yudhajit, who received them hospitably. They saluted the feet of the king Kekeya and spoke to Bharata.
Analysis and Notes:
Are Rajagriha and Grirvraja same?
Rajagriha was referenced in Ramayanam in slokas 2.67.7 and 2.68.6. In these two slokas Vasishta mentions that Bharata and Shatrugna are in the city of Rajagriha with his maternal uncle. He directs the messengers to go to the city of Rajagriha. The translation of sloka 2.68.10 shows that the messengers are getting ready to go the land of Kekeya. The translation of sloka 2.68.21 shows that the messengers safely reached Girivraja.
With reference to 2.67.7, 2.68.6, 2.68.20 and 2.68.21, it is almost conslusive that Rajagriha and Grirvraja refer to the same city. The exact location of Girivraja may need more research. Stay tuned for more information.
Vipasa River
The translation of 2.68.19-20 shows that Girivraja is west of Vipasa river.
Vipasa River is current Beas river located in Punjab, India. Beas River was known as Arjikuja of the Vedas, or Vipasa to the ancient Indians, and the Hyphasis to the Ancient Greeks.