Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 553

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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŪTRA
[Ch. IX
Anga
Anga is also mentioned in other Jain texts', Brāhmaṇical' and Buddhist works, and epigraphic records as a state of ancient India with its capital at Campā which stood at the confluence of the river of the same name and the Gangā.
The original name of the city was Mālini as recorded in the Mahābhārata? and the Purānas.
The earliest reference to Anga occurs in the Atharva Veda where the Angas are described as a distinct people in association with the Magadhas, the Mujavantas and the Gandharvas without locating their habitats, and they are also branded as Vrātya, a despised people who were outside the pale ob orthodox Aryanism.10
There are different legends grown round the origin of the name of Anga. According to the Aitareya Brāhmana" the people of Anga were called Angas after the name of an eponymous king Anga Vairocana, who is mentioned in the list of consecrated kings. The Rāmāyana" tells that it was called Anga because it is here that Ananga, the cupid god left his body (anga) after taking shelter in this country to save himself from the fire of wrath of Rudra. The foundation of this country is attributed by the Mahābhūrata and the Purāna:18 to a prince, Anga by name.
Ancient Anga corresponds to modern districts of Bhagalpur and Monghyr and comprised the western part of the district of Purnea and extended northwards upto the river Kausikż or Kosz14.
i Pannavana, 1, 37. p. 55a.
Atharva Veda, v. 22. IV; Pānini, VI, 1, 170; 11, 4, 62 Mbh.
1, 104 ; Rámā, 47, 14 : (J A.S.B. 1914, 317), * Anguttara Nikaya, P.T.S. 213. 4 Häthigumpha Inscription of Khäravela ; Belāva grant of Bhoja
Varman (Inscriptions of Bengal Vol. III. pp. 15ff, etc.). 6 Jataka, 506. 6 Mahabharata, III. 84. 163; 307, 26. ? Mahābhārata, II, 5, 6, 7. XIII, 42, 16. 8 Matsya Purana, 48, 97; Vayu P. 98, 105; Hari. P. 31, 49. 9 Atharva Veda, 22, 14. 10 J. R. A. S. 1913, 155 ff. J.A.S.B. 1914. p. 317 ff. 1 Aitareya Brahmana. 1,23, 14. 12 Rāmāyana 1, 23, 14; J.A.S.B. 1914 p. 317. 18 Moh. 1, 144, 55, 54 ; Matsya Pu. p. 48, 19.
See, Epi. I. XXVV. pt. 3, July 1937; Vide, B.C. Law : India as described in the early texts of Buddhism and Jainism.