uttarakuru

A mythical region. A detailed description of it is given in the Āṭānāṭiya Sutta. DN.iii.199ff. The men who live there own no property nor have they wives of their own; they do not have to work for their living. The corn ripens by itself and sweet-scented rice is found boiling on hot oven-stoves. The inhabitants go about riding on cows, on men and women, on maids and youths. Their king rides on an elephant, on a horse, on celestial cars and in state palanquins. Their cities are built in the air, and among those mentioned are Āṭānāṭā, Kusināṭā, Nātapuriyā, Parakusināṭā, Kapīvanta, Janogha, Navanavatiya, Ambara-Ambaravatiya and Āḷakamandā, the last being the chief city.

The king of Uttarakuru is Kuvera, also called Vessavaṇa.

The country is to the north of Jambudīpa. It is one of the four Mahādīpā—the others being Aparagoyāna, Pubbavideha and Jambudīpa—each being surrounded by five hundred minor islands. AN.i.227 AN.v.59 These four make up a Cakkavāla, with Mount Meru in their midst, a flat-world system. A cakkavattī’s rule extends over all these four continents. DN.ii.173

The trees in Uttarakuru bear perpetual fruit and foliage, and it also possesses a Kapparukkha which lasts for a whole kappa. AN.i.264

The Buddha is said to have travelled with his psychic powers to Uttarakuru for alms. Vin.i.27–28

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