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 119

94 AN EARLY HISTORY OF ORISSA THE RAMĀYAŅA
A town named Kalinganagara, evidently, one of the cities of the Kalinga country, is mentioned in the Rāmāyaņa as situated on the west of the river Gomati and not far from it.' The Rāmāyaṇa associates the country of Utkala with the Mekala and the Daśārņa countries. In sending his army of monkeys (vānara-senā) to different countries in quest of Sītā, Sugrīva asked Susheņa to send his retinue, among other countries of the South, to Mekala, Utkala and Daśārņa. THE MAHABHARATA
Kalinga is mentioned in the Mahābhārata: as a warrior of Skanda and has been described as armed with diverse weapons and clad in various kinds of robes and ornaments. The origin ascribed to Kalinga is the same as referred to above, viz., a son of Rishi Dirghatamas begotton on Sudeshņā—the queen of king Bali. At another place, Kshema and Ugratirtha---the kings of the Kalingas, are mentioned to have been born of the Aśva class called Krodhavasa. A king of Kalinga (Kalingeshu narādhipah) named Kuhara (?) was among the incarnations from the Krodhavasa Gana.
The king of this country was present along with other kings at the Svyamvara of Draupadi, the daughter of king Drupada of Panchāla. In the śānti Parvan,' the name
1. Ayodhyā Kāņda, LXXIII, 14, 15. 2. Canto, XLII. 3. Sālya parvan, IX, 45, p. 178 (Trans: P. C. Ray). 4. Adi parvan, Ch. 104, p. 316 (Ray).
Original :-"Kalingavishayasachaiva Kalingasya cha sa smritah." 6. Ādi parvan, Ch, 67, p. 197 (Ray). 6. Ādi parvan, Ch, 188, p. 527 (Ray) 7. Sec. IV, p. 9 (Ray).