316 



IDENTIFICATION OF MANTPUKA 



The adventures of Arjuna during his exile have always 

 been a subject of great interest among the Indians, and 

 many of his exploits have gained for him a favorite place 

 among the Pandava heroes. 



Especially his journey to Manipura has been largely 

 commented upon, as through his stay at that place and his 

 marriage with the crown-princess Citrangada, the family of 

 the Pandyas became united with that of the Pandavas. 



Citravahana and his grandson Babhruvahana are fre- 

 quently mentioned as Pandyas as well in old as in more modern 

 records, and on this point they are unanimous. Mr. Nelson, 

 the able compiler of the M anual of the Madura District, is by 

 far too positive, when he says that in the Mahabharata no 

 mention is made of Arjuna having married a Pandya princess ; 

 for there exist copies which contain such an account. 209 



The fame and power of the Pandavas must have spread 

 all over India and beyond it, for the conqueror of Ceylon, 

 Yijaya, belongs also to this family. 



Whether the connection of the Pandyas with the Pandavas 

 was a real one, or whether it was only assumed by the former 

 to invest themselves with greater authority and to raise their 

 position in the eyes of the people is now difficult to find out, 

 but the belief in such connection is a matter of fact. 



According to a chronicle quoted by Mr. Taylor the 

 Pandya kings were descended from Yayati, the son of Nahusa. 

 Yayati had two sons by Devayani, the daughter of Usanas, 

 Yadu and Turvasa (Turvasu). " The younger brother of 

 Yadu (i.e., Turvasa,) was the first Pandian. The place of his 

 reigning was Manalur. Among those of this race, one, 

 named Kulaseghara Pandian, by the favor of Siva, cut down 

 a forest of Kadambu trees, and built a town called Madura, 

 where he lived." 210 



See Manual of the Madura District, by J. H. Nelson, M.A., III, 49. 



See Oriental Histoiicai Manuscripts, I, 1 20. 



