Early History of Orissa

SR No.: 006922
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Amarchand Mittal
Publisher: Jain Cultural Research Society
Publication Year: 1957
Total Pages: 506
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

Page 106

CHAPTER III
TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF KALINGA AS DEPICTED
IN ANCIENT INDIAN LITERATURE
VEDIC LITERATURE
In the period of the earliest strata of the Indian literature, viz. the Vedas, there is no direct reference to Kalinga, Utkala or Oļra as such.
The origin ascribed to the country of Kalinga is mythical,' and has a close connection with Kishi Dīrghatamas who was a blind-born son of Uchathyaand Mamatā. That there was a Rishi Dirghata mas Auchathya Māmateya, son of Uchathya and Mamatā, who was blind, is proved by various references in the Rig Veda. He lived in his paternal cousin's hermitage whom the Purāņas apparently call Saradvant. There he indulged in gross immorality and misbehaved towards the wife of the younger Auchathya (viz. his uncle's wife-his aunt). He was, therefore, expelled from the hermitage, and was set adrift in the Gangā. He was carried down-stream to the Eastern Ānava kingdom and was there welcomed by king Bali, as the Purāņas mention. This incident also finds support in the Rig Vedas where he is spoken of as
1. Väyu, 99, 26-34, 47-97 ; Brahmanda, III, 74, 25-34, 47-100 ; Matsya, 48, 23-9, 43.89; Brahma, 13, 29-31 ; Vishnu, IV, 18, 1; Bhagwata, IX, 23, 5; Mahabharata, I, 104, 4193-221; AIHT, p. 158.
2. Variant :-Utathya. Pargiter (AIHT, p. 158) believes that Uchathya is the correct form.
3. I, 47, 3; 152, 6; 158, 1, 4, 6; AIHT, p. 158.
4. Viyu, 99, 26-34, 47-97 ; Brahmanda, III, 74, 25-34, 47-100; Matsya, 48, 23-29, 43-89 ; Brahma, 13, 29-31; Vishnu, IV, 18, 1; Bhagwata, IX, 23, 5; Mbh, I, 104, 4193-221 ; AIHT, p. 158.
. I, 58, 3, 5,