imported>SunDawn: Changing short description from "Mythical Kingdoms in the Mahabharata" to "Mythical kingdom in the Mahabharata" (Shortdesc helper)

2021-08-16T17:02:03Z

Changing short description from "Mythical Kingdoms in the Mahabharata" to "Mythical kingdom in the Mahabharata" (Shortdesc helper)

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The '''Pandyas''' were fierce warriors who took part in the [[Kurukshetra War]] as per the epic [[Mahabharata]]. A Pandya king named Darshak, is mentioned as participating in the [[Kurukshetra War]], siding with the [[Pandavas]].

== References in Mahabharata ==

=== Places in Pandya Kingdom ===
''All the references (n:m) found in this article refer to [[Mahabharata]], nth book, mth chapter''
The mountain Rishabha in Pandya kingdom is mentioned at ([[Mahabharata]] 3:85). In the country of the Pandyas are the tirthas (places) named Agastya and Varuna! There, amongst the Pandyas, is the tirtha called the Kumaris ([[Kanyakumari (town)|Kanyakumari]]) (3:88). [[Thamirabarani River|Thamiraparani]] and [[Gokarn]]a are also mentioned in the same passage.

=== Other Military expeditions to South ===
'''Bhishmaka''', the mighty king of the Bhojas (of [[Vidarbha Kingdom]]) who governs a fourth part of the world, by his learning conquered the Pandyas and the Kratha-Kausikas (2:14).

Having met with [[Rukmi]] (of [[Vidarbha Kingdom]]), [[Karna]], repaired to Pandya and the mountain, Sri. By fighting, he made [[Kerala Kingdom]], king Nila, Venudari’s son, and other best of kings living in the southern direction pay tribute (3:252).

=== Tribute to Yudhishthira during Rajasuya ===
Pandya was present in the [[Rajasuya]] ceremony of [[Pandava]] king [[Yudhishthira]] (2:36,43).
The Kings of [[Chera Kingdom|Chera]] and Pandya, brought numberless jars of gold filled with fragrant sandal juice from the hills of '''Malaya''', and loads of sandal and aloe wood from the Dardduras hills, and many gems of great brilliancy and fine cloths inlaid with gold. [[Sinhala Kingdom|Singhalas]] gave those best of sea-born gems called the lapis lazuli, and heaps of pearls also, and hundreds of coverlets for elephants (2:51).

=== Pandyas in Kurukshetra War ===
''Pandya king Sarangadhwaja sided with the [[Pandavas]] in the great [[Kurukshetra War]]. His main opponent was [[Ashwathama]].''

As per [[Bhishma]]'s ratings, Pandya king was rated as a great ''Ratha'' (a grade for chariot-warriors) (5,172).

Pandya, who dwelt on the coast-land near the sea, came accompanied by troops of various kinds to [[Yudhishthira]], the king of kings (5:19). There hath come Pandya. Remarkably heroic and endued with prowess and energy that have no parallel, he is devoted to the Pandava cause. (5:22).

[[Dhrishtadyumna]] and [[Shikhandi]] and the five sons of [[Draupadi]] and the [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Prabhadrakas]], and [[Satyaki]] and [[Chekitana]] with the [[Dravida Kingdom|Dravida]] forces, and the Pandyas, the [[Chola Kingdom|Cholas]], and the [[Chera Kingdom|Cheras]], surrounded by a mighty array - were mentioned as part of the [[Pandava]] army (8:12).

Pandya, that foremost of warriors skilled in shafts and weapons, was destroying crowds of foes by means of diverse kinds of shafts. Piercing the bodies of the elephants and steeds and men with sharp shafts, that foremost of smiters overthrew and deprived them of life. Cutting off with his own shafts the diverse weapons hurled at him by many foremost of foes, Pandya slew his enemies (8:19). He was slain by the [[Kaurava]] hero [[Ashwatthama]] (8:20,46) His name was mentioned as '''Sarangadhwaja'''.

There is a doubt if some other Pandya king sided with the [[Kauravas]] as indicated by the following passage at (9:2):- When the mighty Pandya, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, has been slain in battle by the Pandavas, what can it be but destiny?

=== Other References ===
Pandya king took part in the self-choice event of [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Panchala]] princess [[Draupadi]] (MBh 1:189) along with the rulers of [[Kalinga (Mahabharata)|Kalinga]], [[Vanga Kingdom|Vanga]] and others.

== See also ==
*[[Mahajanapadas]]

== References ==
{{no footnotes|date=February 2016}}
*[[Mahabharata]] of [[Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa]], translated to English by Kisari Mohan Ganguli

[[Category:Kingdoms in the Mahabharata]]

Pandya kingdom (Mahabharata) - Revision history

imported>SunDawn: Changing short description from "Mythical Kingdoms in the Mahabharata" to "Mythical kingdom in the Mahabharata" (Shortdesc helper)