Political History Of Ancient India

SR No.: 032292
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hemchandra Raychaudhari
Publisher: University of Calcutta
Publication Year: 1950
Total Pages: 714
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 68

- ROYAL SEAT OF JANAMEJAYA
39
offering from the Bhītavīras. We have here probably the germ of the Purānic stories about Janamejaya's dispute with the Brāhmaṇas. Vaišampāyana, who headed the oppoạents of Janamejaya, undoubtedly belonged to the Kasyapa clan. An allusion to the famous quarrel occurs also in the Kauţilîya Arthaśāstra (kopāj-Janamejayo Brāhmaneshu vikrāntah).
The Gopatha Brāhmana narrates an anecdote of Janamejaya and two ganders, pointing out the importance of Brahmacharya, and the time which should be devoted to it. The story is obviously mythical but it shows that Janamejaya was already looked upon as a legendary hero in the time of the Gopatha Brūlimana.'
Janamejaya's capital, according to a sacrificial song (yajña-gātha) quoted above, was Åsandivat to which reference has already been made. The Satapatha Brāhmaṇa affords an interesting glimpse of life in the royal palace or sacrificial hall :
Samūnūutsadam ukshanti hayān kūshthabh?ito yathā pūrmūn parisrutah kumbhān Janamejayasādana' iti
“Even as they constantly sprinkle the equal prizewinning steeds so (they pour out) the cups full of fiery liquor in the palace (or sacrificial hall) of Janamejaya.” “Curds, stirred drink or liquor” were favourite beverages of the Kurus already in the days of Parikshit.
If the Mahābhārata is to be believed, Janamejaya sometimes held his court at Taxila, and it was at Taxila that Vaišam pāyana is said to have related to him the story of
1 Gopatha Brāhmana, ed, by R. L. Mitra and Harachandra Vidyābhūshana, pp. 25 ff. (I. 2, 5). In connection with the legend referred to above we hear of a sage named Dantābala Dhaumra who is identified by some recent writers with Dantāla Dhaumya of the faiminiya Brāhmaṇa. The conjecture lacks proof. In the Baudhāyana Srauta Sutra, Vol. III, p. 449, "Dhumras, Dhumrāyanas and Dhaumyas" find separate mention as distinct members of the Kasyapa group.
2 Sat. Br. XI. 5. 5, 13. Eggeling, V. 95.