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Sakas In The Mahabharata
Sakas are described in Sanskrit sources as a Mleccha tribe grouped along with the Yavana kingdom, Yavanas, Tushara kingdom, Tusharas and Barbaras. There were a group of Sakas called ''Apa Sakas'' meaning Marine mammal, water dwelling Sakas, probably living around some lake in central Asian steppes. Sakas took part in Kurukshetra War. References in Mahabharata The region called Sakadwipa Mahabharata mentions about a whole region inhabited by Sakas called Sakadwipa to the north-west of ancient India. There in that region are, many delightful provinces where Shiva, Siva is worshipped, and thither repair the ''Siddhas'', the ''Charan, Charanas'', and the Deva (Hinduism), Devas. The people there are virtuous, and all the four orders are devoted to their respective occupations. No instance of theft can be seen there. Freed from decrepitude and death and gifted with long life, the people there grow like rivers during the season of rains. The rivers there are full of Sacred waters, sa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mahabharata
The ''Mahābhārata'' ( ; , , ) is one of the two major Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epics of ancient India revered as Smriti texts in Hinduism, the other being the ''Ramayana, Rāmāyaṇa''. It narrates the events and aftermath of the Kurukshetra War, a war of succession between two groups of princely cousins, the Kauravas and the Pandava, Pāṇḍavas. It also contains Hindu philosophy, philosophical and devotional material, such as a discussion of the four "goals of life" or ''puruṣārtha'' (12.161). Among the principal works and stories in the ''Mahābhārata'' are the ''Bhagavad Gita'', the story of Damayanti, the story of Shakuntala, the story of Pururava and Urvashi, the story of Savitri and Satyavan, the story of Kacha (sage), Kacha and Devayani, the story of Rishyasringa and an Ramopakhyana, abbreviated version of the ''Rāmāyaṇa'', often considered as works in their own right. Traditionally, the authorship of the ''Mahābhārata'' is attributed to Vyasa, Vy ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kanchi Kingdom
Kanchi was a southern kingdom mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. This kingdom took part in the Kurukshetra War. It is identified as the Kanchi city in Tamil Nadu. References in Mahabharata The myth of origin of Kanchis *Mahabharata, Book 1, Chapter 177 When the sage Vasistha was attacked by king Viswamitra's army, Vasistha's cow, Kamadehnu, brought forth from her tail, an army of Palhavas, and from her udders, an army of Dravidas and Sakas; and from her womb, an army of Yavanas, and from her dung, an army of Savaras; and from her urine, an army of Kanchis; and from her sides, an army of Savaras. And from the froth of her mouth came out hosts of Paundras and Kiratas, Yavanas and Sinhalas, and the barbarous tribes of Khasas and Chivukas and Pulindas and Chinas and Hunas with Keralas, and numerous other Mlechchhas. ''In the ancient Indian literature, cow is a symbol of earth or land. Thus the myth mentioned above simply means that, these tribes gathered for the pro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kshatriyas
Kshatriya () (from Sanskrit ''kṣatra'', "rule, authority"; also called Rajanya) is one of the four varnas (social orders) of Hindu society and is associated with the warrior aristocracy. The Sanskrit term ''kṣatriyaḥ'' is used in the context of later Vedic society wherein members were organised into four classes: ''brahmin'', kshatriya, ''vaishya,'' and ''shudra''. History Early Rigvedic tribal monarchy The administrative machinery in Vedic India was headed by a tribal king called a Rajan whose position may or may not have been hereditary. The king may have been elected in a tribal assembly (called a Samiti), which included women. The Rajan protected the tribe and cattle; was assisted by a priest; and did not maintain a standing army, though in the later period the rulership appears to have risen as a social class. The concept of the fourfold varna system is not yet recorded. Later Vedic period The hymn '' Purusha Sukta'' in the ''Rigveda'' describes the symbolic creati ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Brahmanas
The Brahmanas (; Sanskrit: , International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: ''Brāhmaṇam'') are Vedas, Vedic śruti works attached to the Samhitas (hymns and mantras) of the Rigveda, Rig, Samaveda, Sama, Yajurveda, Yajur, and Atharvaveda, Atharva Vedas. They are a secondary layer or classification of Sanskrit texts embedded within each Veda, which explain and instruct on the performance of Yajna, Vedic rituals (in which the related Samhitas are recited). In addition to explaining the symbolism and meaning of the Samhitas, Brahmana literature also expounds scientific knowledge of the Vedic period, Vedic Period, including observational astronomy and, particularly in relation to altar construction, geometry. Divergent in nature, some Brahmanas also contain mystical and philosophical material that constitutes Aranyakas and Upanishads. Each Veda has one or more of its own Brahmanas, and each Brahmana is generally associated with a particular Shakha or Vedic school. Less ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Madra Kingdom
Madra kingdom (; ) was a kingdom grouped among the western kingdoms in the Indian epic poetry, ancient Indian epic ''Mahabharata''. Its capital was Sagala in the Madra region. The Kuru (kingdom), Kuru king Pandu's (''Pāṇḍu'') second wife was from Madra kingdom and was called Madri (; ; Help:IPA/Sanskrit, IPA/Sanskrit: ). The Pandava twins, Nakula and Sahadeva, were her sons. Madri's brother Shalya was the king of Madra. Though affectionate to the Pandavas, he was tricked to give support to Duryodhana and fought against the Pandavas during the Kurukshetra War. He was killed by Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava. Other than the Madra kingdom (Eastern Madra or Purva Madra) with Sagala as its capital, it is believed that there was a Western Madra (Apara Madra) and a Northern Madra (Uttara Madra). Origin According to the Vayu Purana, the Madra kingdom was founded by King Ushinara Shibi of the Anu race. Anu was the son of Yayati. According to Bhagavata Purana, The kingdom of Mad ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Andhra Kingdom
The Āndhras were an ancient non-Aryan tribe of south-central Indian subcontinent, whose existence is attested during the Iron Age. Andhras were mentioned in the ancient Hindu scriptures such as the ''Aitareya Brahmana, Ramayana, Mahabharata'' and ''Puranas''. The Eastern Deccan region originally inhabited by Andhras was called Andhradesa. The modern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, derives its name from this historic tribe and region. Andhras were mentioned in Aitareya Brahmana of the Rigveda () as descendants of Sage Vishvamitra. In the Mahabharata the infantry of Satyaki was composed of a tribe called Andhras, known for their long hair, tall stature, sweet language, and mighty prowess. They lived along the banks of the Godavari river. Andhra communities were also mentioned in the Bhagavata Vayu, Skanda, Markandeya and Matsya Purana. Buddhist references to Andhras are also found. Greek historian Megasthenes reported in his ''Indica'' () that Andhras were living in the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gandhara Kingdom
Gandhara () was an ancient Indo-Aryan people, Indo-Aryan civilization in present-day northwest Pakistan and northeast Afghanistan. The core of the region of Gandhara was the Peshawar valley, Peshawar (Pushkalawati) and Swat valleys extending as far east as the Pothohar Plateau in Punjab, though the cultural influence of Greater Gandhara extended westwards into the Kabul, Kabul valley in Afghanistan, and northwards up to the Karakoram range. The region was a central location for the Silk Road transmission of Buddhism, spread of Buddhism to Central Asia and East Asia with many Chinese Buddhism, Buddhist pilgrims visiting the region. Between the third century BCE and third century CE, Gandhari language, Gāndhārī, a Middle Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language written in the Kharosthi script and linked with the modern Dardic languages, Dardic language family, acted as the lingua franca of the region and through Buddhism, the language spread as far as China based on Gandhār ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mlechcha
Mleccha () is a Sanskrit term referring to those of an incomprehensible speech, foreigners or invaders deemed distinct and separate from the Vedic tribes. In Vedic Brahmanical discourse, the term is used to refer to foreigners (anāryans) who are considered outside the realm of Vedic dharma. ''Mleccha'' was traditionally applied to denote foreigners or outsiders who did not belong to the Vedic cultural milieu, regardless of their race or skin colour. These individuals were considered outside the Varna system and the ritualistic framework of Vedic society. Historical sources identify various groups as mlecchas, including the Śākas, Huns, Chinese, Greeks, Kambojas, Pahlavas, Bahlikas, Rishikas, and Daradas. Other groups designated as mlecchas include the Barbaras, Kiratas, Paradas, Saka-Greeks, Indo-Greeks, Pulindas, and Scythians. Further identifications include the Kushans, Kinnaras, Tusharas, and Nishadas. The designation further extends to include groups such a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Huna Kingdom
Hunas were a tribe close to Himalayas that, because of limited interaction with Indian kingdoms, were mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. They belonged to the Xinjiang province of China, east of Jammu-Kashmir. However, they were nomadic people who changed their settlements from time to time. References in Mahabharata Huna mentioned as a kingdom of Ancient India (Bharata Varsha) Among the tribes of the north are the Mlecchas, and the Kruras, the Yavanas, the Chinas, the Kambojas, the Darunas, and many Mleccha tribes; the Sukritvahas, the Kulatthas, the Hunas, and the Parasikas; the Ramanas, and the Dasamalikas. (6,9). ''According to Dr V. A. Smith, this verse of Mahabharata is reminiscent of the period (4th/5th century AD) when the Hunas first came into contact with the Sassanians dynasty of Persia'' (See: Early History of India, p 339, Dr V. A. Smith; See also Early Empire of Central Asia, W. M. McGovern). The origin myth of Huna tribe Mahabharata links the origin of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
China In The Mahābhārata
The Chinas (Sanskrit ) are a people mentioned in the Indian religious texts, such as the ''Mahabharata'', ''Manusmriti'', and the Puran. Etymology The origin of the Sanskrit name is commonly believed to have been the Qin (''Tsin'' or ''Chin'' in older transliterations) dynasty which ruled in China from 221 BC, or the preceding state of Qin which is traditionally dated to the 9th century BC.Geographical Data in Early Puranas, 1972, p172, Dr M. R. Singh There are a number of other suggestions for the origin of the word. Some Chinese and Indian scholars argued for the state of Jing () as the likely origin of the name, while other theories suggest it is derived from ''Zina'', the endonym of the inhabitants of Yelang.Wade, Geoff,The Polity of Yelang and the Origin of the Name 'China', ''Sino-Platonic Papers'', No. 188, May 2009. Hindu religious texts Mahabharata The Sanskrit epic work ''Mahabharata'' contains certain references to China, referring to its people as the ''Chin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Khasas (Mahabharata)
The Khasas were a Northwest India, northwestern tribe mentioned in the epic ''Mahabharata''. References in ''Mahabharata'' Arrival from diverse realms Khasas were mentioned along with Chivukas and Himalaya kingdom, Pulindas and China of Mahabharata, Chinas, Huna kingdom, Hunas, Pahlava kingdom, Pahlavas, Scythians in the Mahabharata, Sakas, Yavana kingdom, Yavanas, Savaras, Pundra kingdom, Paundras, Kirata kingdom, Kiratas, Kanchi kingdom, Kanchis, Dravida kingdom, Dravidas, Sinhala kingdom, Sinhalas and Keralas. All these tribes were described as Mlechha tribes. Here they were described as the protectors of sage Vashistha and his cow against the attack of king Vishwamitra. Khasas were described as a barbarous tribe along with the Chivukas (MBh 1,177) At (7,11) the Khasas were mentioned as arrived from diverse realms. Khasas were mentioned along with the Malava kingdom, Malavas, Darada kingdom, Daradas, Scythians in the Mahabharata, Sakas and Yavana kingdom, Yavanas. Here t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
