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 109

AN EARLY HÍSTORY OF ORISSA derives all the dynasties, which reigned there (not the populace), from a primaeyal king Manu Vaivasvata, son of Vivaśvant (lit: the Sun). It is narrated in three forms, of which the second and the third are very much alike than the first.
According to the first, Manu had ten sons and amongst them the eldest was named Iļa. While on his campaign of conquests, īļa entered Siva's 'grove called Saravana. On this, Umā cursed him and changed him into a woman named Iļā. In this form, Iļā consorted with Budha— the son of Soma (viz. the Moon). A son was born of this union who was named Purūravas Aila. Then, through Śiva's favour Iļā became a kimpurusha Sudyumna, and remained a man for one month and changed into a woman in the other. This Purăravas Aila was the progenitor of the great Aiļa race to which the kings of Kalinga belonged, as would be shown presently. The Kalinga kings were, according to this tradition, Kshatriyas of the Lunar family (viz. descendants of Soma or the Moon).
According to the second tradition, Manu had nine sons. He offered sacrifice to the gods Mitra and Varuņa in order to be blessed with one more son, but a daughter Iļā was born therefrom.2 Iļā met Budha, the son of Soma, and bore Purúravas. Then, she became a man named Sudyumna, but through the same curse as of the above tradition, was turned into a woman. Finally, through Siva's favour she regained manhood as Sudyumna. Puru
1. Matsya, 11, 40 to 12, 19; Padma, V, 8, 75-124; Amplified into a Brahmanical romance and connected with the Godavari (Brabma, 108). King Ila is mentioned also in the Padma Purana, II, 64, 41; AIHT, p.253.
2. Váyu, 85; Brabmanda, 7, 1-23 ; Harivansa, 10, 613.40 ; Siva, VII, 60, 2-19; AIHT, p. 254.
3. Váyu, 85, 27; Brahmānda, III, 60, 27. It calls the forest as
Umāvana.