Vatsa Kingdom

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This article is about the kingdom of Vatsa in Indian epic literature. For the historical kingdom, see Vatsa.

Vatsa was a kingdom situated in the Gangatic plain with Kausambi as its capital, now known as Kosam a small town in Uttar Pradesh. There is an archeological site known as Kosam Ruins in this town which is believed to be the Kausambi of Ancient India.

Brief mentions of this kingdom is available in the epic Mahabharata. But in his famous play titled Swapna Vasavadatta, the Classical Sanskrit playwright Bhasa speaks elaborately of a Vatsa king named Udayana and his love object, Princess Vasavadatta.

References in Mahabharata

List of Kings present in Panchali's self-choice event

In Mahabharata, Book 1, Chapter 188, Dhristadyumna describes each of the kings assembled in a letter from Dhristadyumna to his sister Panchali: "........the mighty charioteer Srutayu, Uluka, Kaitava, Chitrangada and Suvangada, the highly intelligent Vatsaraja (King of Vatsa Kingdom), the king of Kosala, Sisupala and the powerful Jarasandha, these and many other great kings—all Kshatriyas celebrated throughout the world—have come, O blessed one, for thee."

Bhima's Military Campaign for Rajasuya

Book 2, Chapter 29 mentions the mighty son of Kunti, Bhima, then subjugated, by sheer force, the country called Vatsa Bhumi (Vatsa Kingdom), and the king of the Bhargas, as also the ruler of the Nishadas and Manimat and numerous other kings.

Travels of Amba, the Princes of Kasi

Book 5, Chapter 189 states "She then went unto Vatsa Bhumi resorted to by the Siddhas and Charanas, and which was the retreat of high-souled ascetics of pious deeds. Bathing frequently in the sacred waters of that retreat, the princess of Kasi roamed about according to her will."

Kurukshetra War, Day 2

Book 6, Chapter 50 states "Dhristadyumna, the Commander-In-Chief of Pandava Army, forms the military formation called Krauncharuma (bird-shaped array)."

Yudhishthira, with the Patachcharas, the Hunas, the Pauravakas and the Nishadas, became its two wings, so also the Pisachas, with the Kundavishas, and the Mandakas, the Ladakas, the Tanganas, and the Uddras, O Bharata, and the Saravas, the Tumbhumas, the Vatsas and the Nakulas.

Karna's Military Campaign

In Book 8, Chapter 8 Dridharashtra reflects upon Karna, saying "Karna had subjugated many invincible and mighty foes—the Gandharas, the Madrakas, the Matsyas, the Trigartas, the Tanganas, the Khasas, the Pancalas, the Videhas, the Kulindas, the Kasi-kosalas, the Suhmas, the Angas, the Nishadhas, the Pundras, the Kichakas, the Vatsas, the Kalingas, the Taralas, the Asmakas, and the Rishikas."

Rivalry with Bhargava Brahmanas

Book 12, Chapter 49 states: "Bhargava Rama annihilated the Kshatriya kings. The Kshatriya mothers raised their children in secracy. One among them was a Vatsa King.

"Pratardana’s son, named Vatsa of great might, has been brought up among calves in a cowpen."

References

Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated to English by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Swapna Vasavadatta of Kalidasa

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