Heritage

Kishkindha belongs primarily to the geography of the Ramayana, but it also occupies a meaningful place within the Mahabharata. During the Vana Parva, the sage Markandeya recounts the story of Rama to Yudhishthira in the celebrated Ramopakhyana. That account specifically names Pampa, Rishyamukha, Kishkindha and Malyavat, recounting Rama’s meeting with Sugriva, the death of Vali and Sugriva’s restoration to the throne. Elsewhere in the Mahabharata, Hanuman himself tells Bhima about his friendship with Sugriva, Sugriva’s exile at Rishyamukha and Rama’s arrival.

The strongest connection between Setu and the Mahabharata occurs in the Vana Parva. During the Pandavas’ exile, the sage Markandeya narrates the story of Rama to Yudhishthira, recounting major episodes from Rama’s exile, Sita’s abduction, the alliance with the vanaras and the campaign against Ravana. When Rama’s enormous army reaches the southern ocean, the sea itself becomes the final obstacle separating him from Lanka.

One of the clearest references appears in the Bhishma Parva during the epic’s famous description of Bharatavarsha. When the southern regions are enumerated, the text names the Dravidas, Keralas, Mushikas and Vanavashikas, followed by Karanatakas, Mahishakas, Kuntalas, Cholas and many other peoples. The passage firmly places the Dravidas among the recognised countries and communities of southern Bharata.

One of the most vivid Pandya references occurs during the description of the extraordinary tribute brought to Yudhishthira’s Rajasuya sacrifice at Indraprastha. The Sabha Parva remembers the kings of Chola and Pandya arriving with rich products from the far south. They brought golden vessels containing fragrant sandal preparations from the southern mountains, quantities of sandalwood and aloe wood, brilliant gems and finely worked cloth.

The Bhishma Parva contains one of the Mahabharata’s extraordinary surveys of Bharatavarsha. After describing northern, eastern and central regions, the text turns towards the south and names numerous peoples including the Dravidas, Keralas, Mushikas, Vanavashikas, Karanatakas, Mahishakas, Kuntalas and Cholas. The placement leaves little doubt that the Cholas belonged to the recognised political geography of southern India.

The clearest reference to Mushika occurs in the Bhishma Parva, during the description of the peoples and countries occupying Bharatavarsha. The text moves through an enormous catalogue stretching across the subcontinent and then turns towards the south, naming the Dravidas, Keralas, Prachyas, Mushikas and Vanavashikas, followed by Karanatakas, Mahishakas, Kuntalas, Cholas and numerous other peoples. The placement is important because it firmly establishes the Mushikas within the southern geographical world recognised by the epic.

The geographical lists are especially revealing because they regularly associate the Tosalas with peoples such as the Kosalans, Utkalas, Mekalas, Dasharnas and other communities connected with eastern and central India. The Markandeya and other Puranic traditions place the Tosalas among regions associated with the Vindhyan sphere, suggesting that ancient Tosala was not conceived simply as a narrow strip of beach. Its connections reached inland towards the uplands and the routes linking Odisha with Dakshina Kosala and central India.

The Mahabharata preserves Odra primarily as the name of a recognised people, the Odras or Audras, rather than giving us a long description of a clearly bounded kingdom. One of the most revealing references appears in connection with Yudhishthira’s Rajasuya sacrifice at Indraprastha. When the splendour of that imperial gathering is remembered, rulers and peoples from across Bharata are described as having assembled there, including the Vangas, Angas, Paundras and Odras.

The Bhishma Parva contains one of the great geographical catalogues of the Mahabharata. As the regions and peoples of Bharatavarsha are enumerated, the text names the Dasharnas, Mekalas and Utkalas in succession. Elsewhere in the same catalogue appear Kalinga, Anga, Vanga, Andhra, Pundra, Tamralipta and numerous other eastern and southern peoples. Utkala therefore belonged firmly within the epic’s mental map of India.