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CHAPTER LXIX
THE RAMATHAS
The Ramathas seen also to have been a northern people living not far from the Kulütas. The Vāyupurāna mentions a people named Ramatas (XLV, 117), while the Matsyapurāna refers to a people named Rāmathas (CXIII, 42), both no doubt meaning the one and the same people, the Ramathas. The Kūrmapurāna (XLVII, 41) reads Rāmas instead and the Mārkandeya Mātharas (LVII, 37). The Byhatsamhitā places them in the western division of India along with the Pañcanadas, while the Vāyupurāna in the reference cited above locates them in northern division along with the Kulindas. • The Byhatsamhitā contention that the Ramathas were a western people is upheld by the Mahābhārata (Sabhāparvan, XXXI, 1195; Vanaparvan, LI, 1991; śāntiparvan, IXÌ, 2430). The Bhīşmaparvan mentions a people called Ramaņas who also may be the same people as the Ramathas (IX, 374).
In the same context of the introduction of the Bālabhārata or Pracandapāndava of Rājasekhara where we find Mahipāla of the Pratibāra dynasty is credited with having inflicted a defeat on the Kulutas, we find also the Ramathas having shared the same fate at the hands of the Pratihāra king. This will be evident from the following passage:
‘Namita-Murala-maulih pūkalo Mēkalānām rana-Kalita-Kalingāḥ keli-tat Kēral-ēndoh. Ajani-jita-Kulintah Kuntalānām, kuthārah, hatha-hyta-Ramatha Śrīḥ Śrī Mahīpāladevah Tena ca Raghuvamsa - muktāmaninaĀryāvartamahārājādhirājena. ŚrīNirbhayanarendra-nandanenādhikytāh Sabhāsadaḥ sarvān ... etc.'
(Nirņayasăgar Press Ed., 1, 7-8.)
