129.19.63.116: /* Birth of the five royal lines */fixed typo

2021-07-02T21:44:22Z

Birth of the five royal lines: fixed typo

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{{Short description|Tribe described in the Mahabharata}}
{{about|the kingdom of Kalinga in Indian epic literature|the historical kingdom|Kalinga (historical kingdom)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}

'''Kalinga''' is a tribe<ref>{{cite book |author=Annapurna Chattopadhyaya |title=The people and culture of Odisa and Bengal, a study in origins |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MiRuAAAAMAAJ |year=2006 |publisher=Firma K.L.M. |isbn=978-81-7102-144-4 |page=988 |quote="...in the Mahabharata wherein the Kalingas have been included amongst the tribes..."}}</ref> described in the legendary Indian text ''[[Mahabharata]]''. They were a warrior clan who settled in and around the historical [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga region]], present-day [[Odisha]], west Bengal, Bangladesh and northern parts of [[Coastal Andhra|Andhra Pradesh]].

Kalinga clan warriors sided with Duryodhana in the [[Kurukshetra War]] due to matrimonial and harmony alliances between both kingdoms of Kalinga & Kuru existing even before the [[Kurukshetra War|Great War of Mahabharata]] was to happen. Kalinga is the founders of five eastern kingdoms, which included: [[Anga Kingdom|Angas]] (east, central [[Bihar]]), [[Vanga Kingdom|Vangas]] (southern [[West Bengal]] and [[Bangladesh]]), Udra ([[Odisha]], East [[Madhya Pradesh]] and South [[Jharkhand]]), [[Pundra Kingdom|Pundras]] (western [[Bangladesh]] and [[West Bengal, India]]), [[Suhma Kingdom|Suhmas]] (north-western [[Bangladesh]] and [[West Bengal]]) shared common ancestry. Two capitals (Dantapura and [[Rajapura]]) of Kalinga were mentioned in [[Mahabharata]], probably there were many Kalinga kings, ruling different territories of Kalinga, with many migrated outside for new kingdom formations.

== References in Mahabharata ==
Kalinga was separate kingdom which is mentioned as an ancient Indian (Bharata Varsha) kingdom, along with the Vodhas and again along with the Kiratas residing in the east, at (6,9)

=== Birth of the five royal lines ===
The five royal lines of [[Anga Kingdom|Anga]], [[Vanga Kingdom|Vanga]], Udra (present Odisa), [[Pundra Kingdom|Pundra]] and [[Suhma Kingdom|Suhma]] were born from the adopted sons of king Bali. This Bali's kingdom Kalinga was either [[Magadha Kingdom]] or some kingdom close to it. There existed a kingdom to the south of Magadha as per many [[Puranas]]. King Bali seems to be an king, like the famous king [[Mahabali]], who was also known as Bali or Vali. The five royal sons were actually the sons of the sage [[Dirghatamas|Dīrghatamas]]. Dīghatamas was a sage born in the race of Gautama and Angiras. He was also known as Gautama. His eldest son also was known as Gautama.(1,104).

Though [[Dirghatamas|Dīrghatamas]] was a great sage he was blind. He was cast away by his sons and wife who threw him into river [[Ganges River|Ganges]] in a raft. King Bali saved him. Knowing who he was the childless king chose him to raise offspring upon the queen, according to the ordinances of those times. Thus was born the famous five kings. After their names five countries were formed. It is after their names that their dominions have come to be called Anga, Vanga, Udra, Pundra and Suhma (1,104)

Gautama's abode was in '''Girivraja''', the capital of [[Magadha Kingdom|Magadha]]. Gautama begat on the [[Shudra|Sudra]] woman Ausinari (the daughter of Usinara) the royal sage Kakshivat and the other five celebrated sons. These five monarchs used to visit Gautama in his abode. (2,21)

=== The eastern kings mentioned in the Swayamvara of Panchali ===
Kalinga King attended the [[swayamvara]] of [[Draupadi]], along with Chandrasena.

=== Sahadeva's conquests ===
[[Sahadeva]] brought under his subjection and exacted tributes from the [[Pundra Kingdom|Paundrayas]] (or [[Pandya Kingdom]] ?) and the [[Dravida Kingdom|Dravidas]] along with the [[Kerala Kingdom|Udrakeralas]] and the [[Andhra Kingdom|Andhras]] and the Talavanas, the Kalingas, and the Ushtrakarnikas, and also the delightful city of Atavi and that of the Yavanas. (2,30)

Dantapura, now known as [[Puri]] city of Odisha, was mentioned as the capital of Kalinga in the epic [[Mahabharata]] (5:23). [[Sahadeva]], the [[Pandava]] general had visited this city. Kalinga is mentioned to have another capital named [[Rajapura]]. Dantapura was conquered by Sahadeva (5,23).

=== Karna's conquests ===
[[Karna]] conquered and brought under subjection all the kings inhabiting the Himavat, and made them pay dues. Then descending from the mountain and rushing to the east, he reduced the [[Anga Kingdom|Angas]], and the [[Vanga Kingdom|Bangas]], and the Udras, and the Mandikas, and the [[Magadha Kingdom|Magadhas]]. the Karkakhandas; and also included with them the Avasiras, Yodhyas, and the Ahikshatras. (3,252)

=== Other conquests of Kalinga ===
* [[Krishna in the Mahābhārata|Vasudeva Krishna]] also is mentioned to have vanquished a Kalinga king, along with the [[Pandya Kingdom|Pandyas]] and the city of Varnasi ([[Banaras]]) in [[Kasi Kingdom|Kasi]]. (5,48), (16,6)
*[[Bhima]] also is mentioned to have vanquished the Kalingas along with all the people of [[Kasi Kingdom|Kasi]] and [[Anga Kingdom|Anga]] and [[Magadha Kingdom|Magadha]] (5,50)
*[[Bhargava Rama]] is mentioned to have conquered the Kalingas along with the Angas and Vangas (6,68)

=== Yudhishthira's entry into his new palace at Indraprastha ===
Kalinga king Srutayus, attended the event of [[Yudhishthira]] entering his new palace at [[Indraprastha]], along with Jayasena the king of [[Magadha Kingdom|Magadha]].

''King Bhagadatta seems to have sway over all the eastern kingdoms including Pundra, Suhma, Vanga and Kalinga. Anga kingdom was ruled by his friend [[Karna]] and Vrihadvala was the king of [[Kosala Kingdom]], his another friend.''

King [[Bhagadatta]] of [[Pragjyotisha Kingdom|Pragjyotisha]] accompanied by all Mlechcha tribes inhabiting the marshy regions on the sea-shore; and many mountain kings, and king Vrihadvala; and Vasudeva the king of the [[Pundra Kingdom|Paundrayas]]] and Kalinga came to the sacrifice. Similarly the Akastha and Kuntala and the kings of the [[Malava Kingdom|Malavas]] and the [[Andhra Kingdom|Andhrakas]]; and the [[Dravida Kingdom|Dravidas]] and the [[Sinhala Kingdom|Singhalas]] also came. (2,33). Kalinga king was mentioned as a charioteer at (2,43). Kalingas have brought tribute to the king [[Yudhishthira]] along with other kings like the Vangas, the Magadhas, the Tamraliptas, the Supundrakas, the Dauvalikas, the Sagarakas. (2,51)

=== Duryodhana marries from Kalinga ===
''Duryodhana married the daughter of Chitrangada, who was a Kalinga king, with the capital at [[Rajapura]]. This was different from the south Kalinga kingdom, with the capital at [[Dantapura]] vanquished by [[Sahadeva]].''

Once on a time many kings repaired to a self-choice at the capital of Chitrangada, the ruler of the country of the Kalingas. The city full of opulence, was known by the name of [[Rajapura]].

=== Arjuna's pilgrimage ===
[[Arjuna]] visited all the regions of sacred waters and other holy palaces in Kalinga during his 12-year-old pilgrimage, travelling the whole of ancient India. (1,127)

=== Pandavas's pilgrimage ===
''Pandavas, during their 12 year exile from their kingdom, set for a pilgrimage travelling the whole of ancient India, guided by sage Lomasa.''

[[Pandavas]] started from the river Kausiki (now known as [[Kosi River|Kosi]] in [[Bihar]]) and repaired in succession to all the sacred shrines. They came to the sea where the river [[Ganges River|Ganges]] falls into it; and there in the centre of five hundred rivers, performed the holy ceremony of a plunge. Then they proceeded by the shore of the sea towards the land where the '''Kalinga''' tribes dwell. Through it passeth the river [[Vaitarani]] (now known as river ''Baitarni'' in [[Odisha]]) (3,114)

=== Drupada's list of kings ===
''Drupada, the father in law of the [[Pandavas]] and the king of [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Panchala]], made a list of kings to be summoned to assist the [[Pandavas]] in the [[Kurukshetra War]]''

In the list is mentions Srutayus, with other Kalinga kings, Samudrasena (Vanga king) etc. (5,4).

=== Kalingas in Kurukshetra War ===
Kalingas were mentioned as allied to [[Kauravas]] at many places like at (5-62,95). Kalinga king Srutayudha also known as Srutayus and Srutayush, was one among the generals in the Kaurava army.(6,16). The generals of Kaurava army were:-

#[[Shakuni]], a chief from [[Gandhara Kingdom]]
#[[Shalya]], the king of [[Madra Kingdom]]
#[[Jayadratha]], the king of [[Sindhu Kingdom]]
#Vinda and Anuvinda, two brothers and kings of [[Avanti Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Avanti Kingdom]]
#The Kekaya brothers from [[Kekeya Kingdom]] (opposed the Kekayas on the Pandava side)
#Sudakshina the king of [[Kamboja Kingdom]]
#[[Srutayudha]] the king of Kalinga Kingdom
#Jayatsena a king of [[Magadha Kingdom]]
#Vrihadvala the king of [[Kosala Kingdom]]
#Kritavarma, a [[Yadu|Yadava]] chief from [[Anarta Kingdom]]

=== Bhima slew Kalinga king Srutayush and other Kalinga heroes ===
The battle of Kalingas is mentioned at various places (6-17,56,70,71,88,118), (7-4,7,11,20,44,72,90,118,138,152,191) (8-5,8,17,22) (9,33). The prominent among them was their battle with [[Pandava]] [[Bhima]], which proved fatel to all the Kalinga heroes. (6-53,54), (8,70)

Then king [[Duryodhana]] urged the ruler of the Kalingas supported by a large division, for the protection of Bharadwaja’s son, [[Drona]]. Then that terrible and mighty division of the Kalingas rushed against [[Bhima]]. And then commenced a fierce battle between the Kalingas and the high-souled Bhima. (6,53).

The mighty king of the Kalingas, '''Srutayush''', accompanied by a large army advanced towards Bhima’s car. The ruler of the Kalingas with many thousands of cars, supported by '''Ketumat''', the son of the king of the Nishadas, with 10000 elephants and the Nishada army, surrounded Bhimasena, on all sides. Then the Chedis, the Matsyas, and Karushas, with Bhimasena at their head, with many kings impetuously rushed against the Nishadas. Terrific was the collision that took place between the few and many, between the Chedis on the one side and the Kalingas and the Nishadas on the other. The Chedis, abandoning Bhima, turned back. But Bhima, encountering all the Kalingas, did not turn back. Bhima, staying on his car whose steeds had been slain, hurled at '''Sakradeva''', the son of the Kalinga King Srutayush, a mace made of the hardest iron. And slain by that mace, the son of the ruler of the Kalingas, from his car, fell down on the ground, with his standard and charioteer. Later he slew '''Bhanumat''', the prince of Kalingas, by ascending the back of his elephant and cutting his body in half, with sword. Bhima drawing his bow slew the ruler of the Kalingas, Srutayush, with seven shafts made wholly of iron. And with two shafts he slew the two protectors of the car-wheels of the Kalinga King. And he also dispatched '''Satyadeva''' and '''Satya'''. (6,54)

* A Kalinga ruler other than Srutayush, lead the Kalinga army, during the rest of the days in battle. (7-7,90)
* Two brothers Kalinga and Vrishaka were mentioned as slain in battle at (8,5)
* A Kalinga king is mentioned to be slain at (11,25)

=== Karna's opinion on the Kalingas ===
''[[Karna]] rebukes [[Shalya]] during the [[Kurukshetra War]], and his race, and all the other tribes who had slightest similarity with Shalya's tribe.''

*The Karashakas, the [[Mahisha Kingdom|Mahishakas]], the Kalingas, the [[Kerala Kingdom|Keralas]], the Karkotakas, the Virakas, and other peoples of no religion, one should always avoid. (8,44)
*The [[Kuru Kingdom|Kauravas]] with the [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Panchalas]], the [[Salwa Kingdom|Salwas]], the [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsyas]], the Naimishas, the [[Kosala Kingdom|Koshalas]], the Kasapaundras, the Kalingas, the [[Magadha Kingdom|Magadhas]], and the [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedis]] who are all highly blessed, know what the eternal religion is. (8,45)

=== Siva worship in Kalinga ===
[[Shiva|Siva]] is worshipped in the country of the Kalingas in the form of a tiger. Siva has an image in the country of the Kalingas that is called Vyaghreswara. (13,17)

=== Absence of Brahmins in Kalinga ===
It is in consequence of the absence of Brahmanas from among them that the Sakas, the Yavanas, the Kamvojas and other Kshatriya tribes have become fallen and degraded into the status of Sudras. The Dravidas, the Kalingas, the Pulandas, the Usinaras, the Kolisarpas, the Mahishakas and other Kshatriyas, have, in consequence of the absence of Brahmanas from among their midst, become degraded into Sudras. (13,33)

''The passage gives signs of the cultural differences prevailed in Kalinga with the mainstream culture prevailed in the plains of the Ganges.''(13,33)

===Other references===
*A Kalinga princess named Karambha was wedded to Akrodhana a [[Puru (Vedic tribe)|Puru]] king. Devatithi was their son. (1,95)
*An ally of Karitkeya, generallissimo of Deva army is mentioned as Kalinga (9,45)

== See also ==
[[Kingdoms of Ancient India]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*[[Mahabharata]] of [[Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa]], translated into English by Kisari Mohan Ganguli

==External links==
{{Tribes and kingdoms of the Mahabharata}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kalinga (Mahabharata)}}
[[Category:Kingdoms in the Mahabharata]]

Kalinga (Mahabharata) - Revision history

129.19.63.116: /* Birth of the five royal lines */fixed typo