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 128

TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF KALINGA 103 BAUDHĀYANA DHARMA SUTRA
The Baudhāyana Dharma Sutral mentions different countries and nations in a certain order which is quite significant. The country between the river Indus and the Vidharaņi (viz. Yamuna), where black deer roam, is regarded as the Aryan country proper where religious rites were to be performed. The Avantis, the Angas, the Magadhas, the Saurāshțras, the Dakshiņāpathas, the Upavșits, the Sindhus and the Sauvīras are regarded as of mixed origin. The commentator states before the beginning of this Sütra that after the country between the Indus and the Yamuna begins the Mlechchha country, The actual commentary on Sūtra 29 states that in these countries there is no arrangement or regulation with regard to women. In Avanti customs approved by the Aryans are not prevalent. So the people of southern Bihar along with those of south-west Malva, Kathiawar, western India and Sindh formed a belt of the Mlechchha countries around the provinces inhabited by the Aryans and were gradually coming within the pale of Aryan civilization in the period of which the Baudhāyana Dharma Sūtra speaks. The people of the countries lying to the south, east and west of this belt were still untouchables. The commentator states before beginning the Sūtra that 'certain countries should not be entered'. In the Sūtra itself we are informed that any one who goes to the countries of the Arattas, the Kāraskaras, the Pundras, the Sauviras, the Vangas and the Kalingas has to perform the Sarvaprishți sacrifice (in order to purify bimself of the sin of visiting these non-Aryan countries). In the next Sūtra we are informed that whosoever goes to the Kalinga country commits sin with his feet and must perform the Vaišvanarīya Ishţi. Such was the
1. Į. i, 29-3}.