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MAHAJANAPADAS IN THE EPIC
SECTION II. AN EPIC ACCOUNT OF THE MAHAJANAPADAS.
151
An interesting account of the characteristics of the peoples of most of the Mahajanapadas described above is to be found in the Karna parra of the Mahabharata.1
The Kurus, Pañchalas, Matsyas, Kosalas, Kasis, Magadhas, Chedis and Surasepas receive praise. Patriots hailing from Anga include their country in this list :
Kuravaḥ saha Panchālāḥ śālvā Matsyāḥ sa-Naimishāḥ 2 Kosalah Kasya' ngāścha Kālingā Māgadhāstathā Chedayaścha mahābḥāgā, dharmam jānanti śāśvatam Brahmam Panchalah Kauraveyāstu dharmam Satyam Matsyali Surasenuscha yajñam.
"The Kauravas with the Panchalas, the Salvas, the Matsyas, the Naimishas, the Kosalas, the Kasis, the Angas the Kalingas, the Magadhas, and the Chedis who are all highly blessed, know what the eternal Law of Righteousness is. The Pañchalas observe the Vedic code, the Kauravas the law of righteousness, the Matsyas truth, and the Surasenas sacrificial rites."
The Magadhas comprehend hints, the Kosalas understand from what they see, the Kurus and Panchalas gather the sense from half-expressed words, while the Salvas need full instruction.
Ingitajñascha Magadhah prekshitajñāścha Kosalaḥ. arddhoktah Kuru-Panchalaḥ Salvaḥ kritsnāunaśāsanāḥ.
1
Mahabharata, VIII. 40. 29; 45. 14-16; 28; 34; 40.
2 The Naimishas occupied Nimsar, 20 miles from Sitapur, on the left bank of the Gumti river (Ayyar, Origin and Early History of Śaivism in South India, 91).
