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GEOGRAPHICAL PLACES, PEOPLES AND TRIBES
511
Dasapura :-Rama further proceeds to Daśapura-nagara (33.25) variously called as Daśārņapura (79.9) and Daśanganagara (33.89). Vajrakarna was the lord of this town. He was a 'bhrtya' (feudatory) of Simhodara of Ujjenī. He was attacked by Simhodara. Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa defeated Simhodara and brought about reconciliation. Daśapura is identified with Mandasor in western Malwa in the Madhya Pradesh1.
Kūvavadda Kuvara pura:-From Daśapura Rama proceeds to (33.148) also called as Kuvvarapura (77.45) or Kuvvaranagara (Kubara pura-PCR). Balikhilya, the lord of this place was kidnapped by some Mleccha chief and the former's daughter Kalyāņamālā ruled there in the disguise af a prince (34.22-23). The RPS (p. 104) mentions the place as Nalakacchapura. Jaina poet Asadhara is said to have lived in Nalakacchapura. Nalakacchapura is identified with modern Nalacha situated 10 krośas far from Dhara (Malwa"). But it is not certain whether The PCV Kūvarapura is the same as Nalacha. mentions 'Purikobera' (98.67) = the Purikauberas. They were conquered by Lavana and Ankuśa. It seems that the peopele of Kuvvarapura are styled as the Purikauberas. They can be identified with the Paurikas who had Purikā as their chief city. Purika is placed near Mahiṣmati by the Khila-Harivamśa (XCV. 5220-28). Our Kuvvarapura is perhaps the Purika of the MB and the Puranas".
Narmada:-Further Rama crosses the river Narmada (34.32) and enters the Vindhya forest (Viñjhaḍavim pavanna 34.4). The river Narmada is well-known. It flows between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. The PCV calls the region lying to the south of the Vindhya range as the Vindhya forest. Dr. B. C. Law says that it comprises Khandesh and Aurangabad region including Nasik1.
Kagonanda:-Proceeding further Rama faces some Mlecchas known as the Kagonandas (34.41). Lakṣmapa defeats Rudrabhūtī, the leader called the of the tribe and rescues Balikhilya. The Kagonandas are Kākonadas in the PCR (34.72). In the MB (6.9.64) the Kakas are associated with the Vidarbhas who the Central occuppied Provinces (Nagpur)". The Allahabad Pillar Inscription (4th cent. A.D.) mentions the Kākas and others along with Prarjunas. Vincent Smith places the Prarjunas in the Narasimhapura disrtict of the Central
1. HGAI, P, 291..
2. JSI, p. 343,354.
3. See HGAI, p. 184 & GD, p. 162.
4. HGAI, p. 302.
5. TAI, p. 356.
