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 127

102 AN EARLY HISTORY OF ORÍSSA god). Whosoever performs his ablutions at this spot, while reciting this ancient story, beholds with his mortal eyes the path that leads to the region of the gods.
Then all the sons of Pāņdu and likewise the daughter of Drupada, all of whom were the favoured of fate, descended the river Vaitarni and made liberations to the manes of their fathers. Having taken a bath there in a proper form Yudhishthira exclaims: --How great is the force of a pious deed. I seem to touch no more the region inhabited by mortal men. I am beholding all the regions. And this is the noise of the magnanimous dwellers of the wood who are reciting their audible prayers.'
The Mahābhārata mentions the Utkalas as people who were vanquished by Karņa for Duryodhana. They are combined with the Mekalas and the Kalingas.3
Similarly, the Odras or the Udras are also mentioned as a people who waited upon Yudhishthira. They were defeated by Sahadeva along with the Keralas while on a digvijayab and were present at the Rājasūya sacrifice performed by Yudhishthira, along with the Pundras. During the Kurukshetra war they joined the side of the Pāņdavas.?
The references to Kalinga, Utkala and Oờra in the Mahābhārata clearly indicate that these territories were well-known and recognized as separate political units and as such they had inter-state relations with other political units of the country.
1. Droņa parvan, 4, 122 (Sor). 2. Bhishma, 9, 348 (Sor). 3. Karpa, 22, 882 (Sor). 4. Sabhā, 51, 1843 (Sor). 8. Sabhā, 31, 1174 (Sor). 6. Vana, 51, 1988. (Sor). 7. Bhishma, 50, 2084 (Sor)