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The Kiratas (Sanskrit) mentioned in early Hindu texts are the
tribals or
Adivasi
(aborigines) of the land. They are mentioned along with Cinas
(Chinese).
The Kirata (Sanskrit)
is a generic term in
Sanskrit literature for people who lived in
the mountains, particularly in the
Himalayas and
North-East India and who were
Mongoloid in origin. They are mentioned along
with
Cinas
(Chinese), and were different from the
Nishadas.[1]
They are first mentioned in the
Yajurveda (Shukla
XXX.16; Krisha III.4,12,1), and in the
Atharvaveda (X.4,14) .
Yajur
Veda describing the "handsome"
mountain people and hunters in the forests and deadly warriors.
In Manu's
Dharmashastra (X.44) they are mentioned as
degraded Kshatriyas, which meant that they were considered to be
of advanced civilization, but outside the ambit of Brahminical
influence. It is speculated that the term is a Sanskritization
of a
Sino-Tibetan tribal name, like that of Kirant
or
Kiranti of eastern
Nepal.
Kirati languages belong to Tibeto-Burman family of Languages .
Kiratas have been identified as the present day Rai, Limbu and
Sunuwar of Nepal. Ghatotkacha of Mahabharata fame (Son of Bhima)
was a Kirata Chieftain.In Yoga Vasistha 1.15.5 Rama speaks of
kirAteneva vAgurA, "a trap [laid] by Kiratas", so about BCE Xth
Century, they were thought of as jungle trappers, the ones who
dug pits to capture roving deer. The same text also speaks of
King Suraghu, the head of the Kiratas who is a friend of the
Persian King, Parigha.The most famous Kiratas in Hinduism.
Kirata Kingdom in
Sanskrit literature and
Hindu
mythology refers to any kingdom of the
Kirata
people, who were dwellers mostly in the
Himalayas (mostly eastern Himalaya) and
North-East India. They took part in the
Kurukshetra War along with
Parvatas (mountaineers) and other
Himalayan tribes. They were wide-spread in the
folds and valleys of Himalayas in
Nepal
and
Bhutan,
and in the Indian states of
Himachal Pradesh,
Uttarakhand,
Uttar
Pradesh,
Bihar,
Assam
and
Tripura.
Though dwelling in the
Himalayas
and other inaccessible regions, Kiratas did not get the status
of super-humans enjoyed by other
tribes
like the
Gandharvas,
Kinnaras,
Kimpurushas
and
Yakshas.
This was probably because of their greater interaction with the
Vedic
people, which resulted in their de-mystification.
The Kirats were the aborigines of north-eastern
Himalayas . According to Baburam Acharya, they came to Nepal in
about 700 B.C. and ruled over it. They were short and had robust
bodies, broad cheeks, flat noses, thin whiskers, and dark eyes.
They were well trained in the art of warfare, and were very
skilful archers. They were the ancestors of the present day
Kiratas: - Kulung, Thulung and Yellung. Yalamber, the first
Kirati king of Nepal belonged to the Yellung clan.
According to the Kiranti genealogy, collected by
Wright, twenty-nine Kings of the Kirant dynasty ruled over Nepal
for 1,118 years. Some historians claim, the number of Kirati
rulers was not twenty-nine but thirty-two. Irrespective of the
number, the fact is that Yalambar was the first and Gasti was
the last king of this dynasty
Altogether, there were 29 kings of this dynasty who ruled over
Nepal for about 1225 years But according to kirant bansawali
record there is 34 kiranti king who ruled the Nepal . According
to the chronicle (Bamsavali) of Kirkpatrick, Kiratas ruled over
Nepal from about 900 B.C. to 300 A.D. During this long period,
altogether 29 Kirat Kings ruled over the country'.
The twenty-nine Kings were : 1.Yalambar 2.Pari 3.
Skandhar 4.Balamba 5.Hriti 6.Humati 7.Jitedasti 8.Galinja
9.Oysgja 10.Suyarma 11.Papa 12.Bunka 13.Swawnanda 14.Sthunko
15.Jinghri 16.nane 17.luka 18.Thor 19.Thoko 20.Verma 21.Guja
21.Guja 22.Pushkar 23.kKeshu 24.Suja 25.Sansa 26.Gunam 27.Khimbu
28.Patuka 29.Gasti
On the basis of the Puranas and other ancient
religious texts, it is presumed that the Kiratas ruled in Nepal
after Gopal and Mahipal. The first king of the Kiratas was
Yalamber, who defeated Bhuvan Singh, the last king of Ahir
dynasty and established Kirat rule in Nepal . He extended his
kingdom as far as the Tista river in the east and the Trishuli
in the west. It is said that during the battle of Mahabharata,
Yalamber went to witness the battle with a view to take the side
of the losing party. Lord Krishna, knowing the intention of
Yalamber and the strength and unity of the Kiratas, thought that
the war would unnecessarily be prolonged if Yalamber sided with
the Kauravas. So, by a clever stroke of diplomacy, Lord Krishna
cut off Yalamber's head.Here I would like to describe how
yalambers head landed in Nepal and later became worship place of
nepali the AKASH BHAIRAB.
Akash Bhairav, the temple of the Kirat King slain
during the epic battle of Mahabharata………….
The Kirats are the first documented rulers of the Kathmandu
Valley . The remains of their palace are said to be in Patan
near Hiranyavarna Mahavihara (called “Patukodon”).
The first and best remembered king was Yalambar.
Legend has it that when Yalamber heard about the great battle
that was fought in the distant plains of Kurukshetra, he too
wanted to participate in this battle. So donning a fierce and
silver mask of Bhairab, the Lord of Terror, he went with his
army. At the battle field he was met by Lord Krishna who asked
him whose side he was on. He replied that he would take the side
of the losing army. Lord Krishna fearing that the
fearsome warrior would join the Kauravas, decapitated his head
with such force that it flew past the Himalayas to Kathmandu and
rested at the place where the Akash Bhairab temple now stands.
The temple, a three storey structure now stands in the busy
square of Indra Chowk But according to sunuwar kiranti bansawali
it was not yalamber but was kirant eklabya who went to
mahabharat war taking only 3 arrows which he can destroy
heaven,earth and hell.Even krisna was not mighty like him so he
killed him with the help of conspiracy.
Nepal is a very ancient country, which was ruled
by many dynasties in the past. Among them, the Kirant rule is
taken as a very significant one, being the longest period that
extended from pre-historic to historic period. In ancient Hindu
scriptures, Nepal is referred as the "Kirant Desh" or "the Land
of Kirants ".
Kirants were indigenous people of Mongolian race
with stout and short stature, high cheekbones, flat noses,
narrow black eyes and thin moustaches and beards. They were
brave and doughty warriors and very deft archers. Before the
advent of the Kirants, there were Ahir and Abhir rule in the
valley. Yalambar, the first Kirant King, overthrew the last king
of Abhir dynasty Bhuban Shima. Thus, after defeating the last
ruler of Abhir dynasty, Yalambar laid the foundation of the
Kirat dynasty that lasted for about 1225 years. When Kirants
occupied the valley, they made Matatirtha their capital. The
Kirant kingdom during the rule of Yalambar had extended to All
mountain range in west to afganstan and assam to the East. The
Kirants revere him as the God King.
It was during the rule of Jitedasti, the 7th
Kirant king, Lord Gautama
Buddha
visited the valley with his several disciples. He visited the
holy places of Swayambhu, Suheswari, etc and preached his
religious gospels. Kirants in the valley refused to follow his
doctrine, but welcomed Lord Buddha and his disciples. It is also
said that King Jitedasti had helped the Pandavas in the battle
of Mahabharata. It shows, of course, a historical anachronism;
because according to another legend, the battle Mahabharata had
taken place during the regime of King Yalambar.
During the rule of the 4th Kirant King Sthunko
about 2250 BC, the Indian Emperor Ashoka had his inspections
engraved on rocks and a stone-pillar. The pillar known as
Ashoka-pillar still stands in Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama
Buddha. This historical monument was unknown to the world until
Dr. Fuher discovered it in December 1985. Nepal Government has
prepared a master-plan to protect and develop the Lumbini region
as a religious tourism destination.
Emperor Ashoka also came to the Kathmandu Valley
later. His daughter Princess Charumati accompanied him. During
his stay in the valley, he built four stupas in four directions
and one in the centre of Patan. These monuments speak of the
historical fact of Ashoka's visit to the valley. Another fact is
he arranged his daughter Charumati's marriage with a local young
Prince named Devpal. Prince Devpal and his consort Charumati
lived at Chabahil, near the
Pashupatinath
temple area. Later, Charumati built the touss of Devpatan after
the death of her husband in his memory. Charumati who later on
became a nun also got erected a convent where she resided and
practiced Lord Buddha's doctrine.
Buddhism, thus entered Nepal and flourished
during the liberal rule of the Kirant dynasty. Like Buddhism,
another religious doctrine Jainism was being preached the same
time by Mahavir Jain in India . In this regard, Bhadrabhau, a
disciple of Mahavir Jain came to Nepal in about 300 BC when the
17th Kirant king Jinghri was ruling. But comparatively, Jainism
could not gain popularity like Buddhism in Nepal .
When the 28th Kirant King Paruka was ruling in
the valley, the Sombanshi ruler attacked his regime many times
from the west. Although he successfully repelled their attacks,
he was forced to move to Shankhamul from Gokarna. He had built a
Royal Palace called "Patuka" there for himself. The Patuka
Palace is no more to be seen, except its ruins in the form of
mound. "Patuka" had changed Shankhamul into a beautiful town.
The last King of the Kirant dynasty was Gasti. He proved to be a
weak ruler and was overthrown by the Sombanshi ruler Nimisha. It
brought to the end of the powerful Kirant dynasty that had
lasted for about 1225 years.
After their defeat, Kirants moved to the eastern
hills of Nepal and settled down divided into small
principalities. Their settlements were divided into three
regions; namely, "Wallo-Kirant" or "near Kirant"{SUNUWAR} that
lied to the East of Kathmandu,From Banepa to Dudh koshi
"Majh-Kirant"{RAI} or "central Kirant"From Dudh koshi to Arun
koshi and "Pallo-Kirant"{LIMBU} that lied to the far east of the
Kathmandu
valley From Arun koshi to sikkim. These regions are still
heavily populated by Kirants.Among the 3 kirant’s Sunuwar are
the least in number because they were the main shield for
kiranti region situated in west.Whatever the invasion come from
enemy they would be prime target.Since lichavi,malla and shah
period they were facing prime attack.There is myth when malla
king stablish his palace or fort to capture kiranti region in
Dolakha.Wallo kiranti king were keep fighting with them and
succeed to repeal.So they were saving kipata of kiranti but
finally they loose with shah king not with the war but
consipiracy.Later they easily capture majh kirant but stuck in
pallo kirant because limbus seen what’s happen in wallo kirant
and majh kirant already.Wallo kiranti warrior helped prithivi
narayan to capture kirtipur which he lost twice. Finally kiranti
warrior succeeds to capture and make him victorious. They were
doing this because to make him happy and not to attack kiranti
land but instead he overrun later.
MUKHIYA title was given by prithivi narayan shah
for sunuwar not to rebel against gorkha kingdom.That time
mukhiya position was very big and powerfull it means Head Man of
wallo kiranti region.They used to collect all tax from that
region.
CIVILISATION AND CULTURE DURING KIRAT PERIOD
The long rule of the Kirants manifests that they
were strong and well organized people. Their society,
administrative system and economy were well organized. Later,
their successors Lichchhavis also gave due importance to their
legacy. They exerted great influences not only in the valley,
but also outside of it in the eastern region. We still find many
places, hills and rivers that are named in Kirant languages.
Kirants enjoyed a free and open society. There
was no gender discrimination. To facilitate justice system in
the public, law courts were established at many places and
effective laws were made to deal with crimes and offences. Nepal
had trade link with India , Tibet (then a free country) and
China . Nepalese businessmen carried out trade with these
countries. Nepal chiefly exported wool, woollen goods, timber
and herbs. Chanakya has mention in his famous book "Kautilya
Arthasastra" that Nepalese blankets had a big market in Bihar ,
then called Magadh. As there was more financial prosperity in
trade, more people were engaged in business than in agriculture.
This factor also led to the migration of people of different
racial origins with their own customs and cultures to Nepal . In
course of time, these people merged into the main national
system and formed part of a nation, thus helping to create and
develop a healthy feeling of nationalism and brotherhood.
By religion, Kirants were originally nature
worshippers. They worshipped the sun, the moon, rivers, trees,
animals and stones. Their primeval deities are Paruhang and
Sumnima. Hinduism was introduced to and imposed on the Kirants
only after the conquest of Gorkhali rulers whose root was in
India . Kirants were quite tolerant and liberal to other
religions. That was why Buddhism flourished during the Kirant
rule in Nepal . Buddhism had rekindled a new interest and
attitude among the people. Kirants had also built many towns.
Shankhamul, Matatirtha, Thankot, Khopse, Bhadgoan and Sanga were
prosperous cities with dense population. Thus, it can be safely
said that the Kirant period had paved the way for further
development and progress of Nepal in all sectors in future
References in Mahabharata
The Yamas,
Kamvojas,
Gandharas,
Kiratas and Barbaras were mentioned together as northern tribes
at (12,206). In the Krita age, they were nowhere on earth
(meaning Ancient India). It is from the Treta age that they have
had their origin and began to multiply. When the terrible period
came, joining Treta and the Dwapara, the
Kshatriyas,
approaching one another, engaged themselves in battle.---Another
group comprising
Andrakas, Guhas, Pulindas, Savaras, Chuchukas,
Madrakas were also mentioned along with the
first group.
The
Yavanas,
the Kiratas, the
Gandharvas,
the
Chinas,
the Savaras, the Barbaras, the
Sakas,
the
Tusharas,
the Kankas, the Pathavas, the
Andhras,
the
Madrakas,
the
Paundras,
the
Pulindas,
the Ramathas, the
Kamvojas
were mentioned together as tribes beyond the kingdoms of
Aryavarta.
The Aryavarta-kings had doubts on dealing with them. (12,64)
Kiratas in the list of ancient Indian kingdom
Kiratas were mentioned as an ancient Indian tribe
along with the
Pundras,
the Bhargas the Sudeshnas, and the Yamunas, the
Sakas
etc and again along with the
Sudra-Abhiras,
the
Dardas,
the
Kasmiras,
and the Pattis; the Khasiras; the Atreyas, the Bharadwajas, the
Stanaposhikas, the Poshakas, the
Kalingas,
the Tomaras, the Hansamargas, and the Karamanjakas; at(6,9)
Kiratas as a Mlechha tribe
Kiratas were mentioned along with
Khasas,
Chivukas and
Pulindas
and
Chinas,
Hunas,
Pahlavas,
Sakas,
Yavanas,
Savaras,
Paundras,
Kanchis,
Dravidas,
Sinhalas
and
Keralas.
All these tribes were described as Mlechha tribes. Here they
were described as the protectors of sage
Vasistha
and his cow against the attack of king
Viswamitra.
(1,177).Kiranti were enemy of indo Aryan vedic people who always
fought against them.
Mleccha (from
Vedic
Sanskrit mleccha, meaning "non-Aryan,
barbarian") is a derogatory term for people
who did not conform with the moral and religious norms of the
Indo-Aryan society. The term is not attested
in the
Vedas,
but occurs for the first time in the late Vedic text
Shatapatha Brahmana. The law giver
Baudhâyana defines a Mleccha as someone "who
eats cow meat or indulges in self-contradictory statements or is
devoid of righteousness and purity of conduct."That time of
kiranti people used to eat cow meat. In the epic
Mahabharata, some Mleccha warriors are
described as having "heads completely shaved or half-shaved or
covered with matted locks, [as being] impure in habits, and of
crooked faces." They are "dwellers of hills" and "denizens of
mountain-caves." In ancient India , this term was also applied
by the Aryan kingdoms to foreigners. In
Bhagavata Purana and medieval literature, such
as that of
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the term is used in the
context of meat eaters, outcastes.Most of these mentioned
mlechcha tribe were mongoloied people from central asia.Like
khasas belive to be from khasakastan they were mongoloied
people.
Territories of Kiratas
Kirata territories extended along the Himalayan
belt of mountain ranges.
Kiratas of diverse regions in ancient India
Numberless chiefs of the Kiratas, armed with
hunting weapons and ever engaged in hunting activities, eating
of fruits and roots and attired in skins (animal-skins or
tree-barks), were mentioned to dwell on the northern slopes of
the
Himavat
(Tibet)
and on the mountain from behind which the sun rises (Arunachal
Pradesh) and in the region of
Karusha on the sea-coast (could be the mouths of
Ganga
in
Bangladesh
or the mouths of
Sindhu
in
Pakistan)
and on both sides of the Lohitya mountains (in eastern
Assam
and western
Arunachal Pradesh).
They were mentioned as bringing tribute to
Yudhisthira
during his
Rajasuya
sacrifice. They brought with them, loads upon loads of sandal
and aloe as also black aloe, and heaps upon heaps of valuable
skins and gold and perfumes, and ten thousand serving-girls of
their own race, and many beautiful animals and birds of remote
countries, and much gold of great splendour procured from
mountains (2,51). The Kairatas (Kiratas), the
Daradas, the Darvas, the Suras, the Vaiamakas,
the Audumvaras, the Durvibhagas, the Kumaras, the Paradas along
with the
Vahlikas, the
Kashmiras, the Ghorakas also were mentioned,
here as bringin tributes
The various tribes of Kiratas were mentioned
along with the
Pahlavas
and the
Daradas
and
Yavanas
and
Sakas
and the
Harahunas
and
Chinas
and
Tukharas
and the
Sindhavas
and the Jagudas and the Ramathas and the Mundas and the
inhabitants of the kingdom of women and the Tanganas and the
Kekayas
and the
Malavas
and the inhabitants of
Kasmira.
They were described as accepting the sway of
Yudhisthira,
performing various offices in his palace. (3,51)
The Kiratas, fierce in battle, dwelling in the
fastness of
Himavat,
were vanquished by
Karna
for the sake of
Duryodhana
(7,4).Actually kiranti territories in past was too huge which is
not only in east asia but also in west as far as ancient
messopotamia present day of IRAQ.
Sir Jhon Hammerton ancient history it's been said that there is
relation between Kirat civilization and ancient Babylon and
Mesopotamia.What it can clearly prove that kiranti were known in
west as well not only in Indian continent.
Kiratas under the Himalayan kingdom called Pulinda
Pulinda
king is described as the king of Kiratas also at (2,4). He is
said to attend the inauguration of the new court of
Pandava
king
Yudhisthira
at
Indraprastha
along with many other kings of Ancient India (Bharata Varsha).
His kingdom lied to close to the
Kailas
range in
Tibet.
Domains of king Suvahu,
the lord of the Pulindas, is mentioned as situated on the
Himalayas abounding in horses and elephants, densely inhabited
by the Kiratas and the Tanganas, crowded by hundreds of
Pulindas, frequented by the
exotic tribes,
and rife with wonders.
Pandavas
stayed here for some time on their onward-journey to the
Himalayan regions (3,140).
Then all those warriors, viz the
Pandavas
having in due course happily lived at Badari (Badrinath,
Uttarakhand),
for one month, proceeded towards the realm of Suvahu, king of
the Kiratas, by following the same track by which they had come.
And crossing the difficult Himalayan regions, and the countries
of
China,
Tukhara,
Darada
and all the climes of
Kulinda,
rich in heaps of jewels, those warlike men reached the capital
of Suvahu (3,176).
Their final destination was the source of
Yamuna.
Thus they could have made a circular path, from Badari (Badrinath)
to
Tibet
and
Kashmir
and finally to
Himachal Pradesh.
Kiratas under Paundraka Vasudeva
There was a king named Paundraka Vasudeva, who
was an enemy of
Vasudeva Krishna.
This king used to dress like Vasudeva Krishan and mock him. He
mentioned to rule over the kingdoms of
Vanga
(West
Bengal),
Pundra
(north-Bangladesh)
and Kiratas (2,14). The Kiratas mentioned here were those lived
in northern hilly regions of
West Bengal,
like the
Darjiling
area.
Kiratas under Bhagadatta
Kiratas (of
Bhutan)
and
Chinas
were mentioned as forming the army of
Pragjyotisha
(Assam)
king
Bhagadatta
(5,19). This army took part in the
Kurukshetra War
for the sake of
Kauravas
and its size was one Akshouhini (a huge army unit).
Kiratas conquered by Bhima
Bhima,
during his military campaign in the eastern countries to collect
tribute for
Pandava
king
Yudhisthira's
Rajasuya
sacrifice, conquered Kirata kings, close to the
Videha Kingdom
Bhima,
the son of
Pandu,
sending forth expeditions from
Videha Kingdom,
conquered the seven kings of the Kiratas living about the Indra
mountain (2,29). These were considered to be the Kiriatas in
Nepal.
Kiratas conquered by Nakula
Nakula
during his military campaign in the western countries to collect
tribute for
Pandava
king
Yudhisthira's
Rajasuya
sacrifice, conquered Kiratas in the western hills
Nakula,
the son of
Pandu,
then reduced to subjection the fierce Mlechchas residing on the
sea coast (in
Karachi
area), as also the wild tribes of the
Palhavas
(an
Iranian
tribe), the Kiratas, the
Yavanas
and the
Sakas
(2,31). These Kiratas lied in the western mountains in
Pakistan.
Kiratas in Kurukhsetra War
Kiratas (of
Bhutan)
and
Chinas
were part of the one
Akshouhini
of troops of
Pragjyotisha
(Assam)
king
Bhagadatta
who joined the side of the
Kauravas(5,19).
Western Kiratas were mentioned along with the
Sakas,
and
Yavanas,
the
Sivis
and the Vasatis as marching in the huge army of
Kauravas
(5,198). The Sakas, the Kiratas, the Yavanas, and the Pahlavas
were mentioned in a battle-array formed by the
Kauravas
(6,20). Similarly they are mentioned in another battle-array
formed on another day at (6,50).
Words of
Satyaki
a
Yadava
chief on the side of
Pandavas,
during
Kurukshetra War:-
Those other elephants 700 in number, all cased in armour and
ridden by
Kiratas,
and decked with ornaments, the king of the Kiratas, desirous of
his life, had formerly presented to
Arjuna.
These were formerly employed in doing good to
Yudhisthira.
Behold the vicissitudes that time brings about, for these are
now battling against
Yudhisthira.
Those elephants are ridden by Kiratas difficult of defeat in
battle. They are accomplished in fighting from elephants, and
are all sprung from the race of
Agni.
Formerly, they were all vanquished in battle by
Arjuna.
They are now waiting for me carefully, under the orders of
Duryodhana.
Slaying with my shafts these Kiratas difficult of defeat in
battle, I shall follow in the track of
Arjuna
(7,109).
The
Tusharas,
the
Yavanas,
the
Khasas,
the Darvabhisaras, the
Daradas,
the
Sakas,
the Kamathas, the Ramathas, the Tanganas the Andhrakas
(obivously not the southern
Andhras),
the
Pulindas,
the
Kiratas
of fierce prowess, the Mlecchas, the Mountaineers, and the races
hailing from the sea-side, were all united in battle for the
purpose of the
Kaurava
king
Duryodhana.
(8,73)
The ruler of the Kiratas died in battle (8,5).
A
Naga
named Lohita was mentioned at (2,9) along with other prominent
Naga {kiranti} kings like
Vasuki,
Takshaka
and Airavata.
Naga King Lohita ruled a territory close to the
Kasmira.
Arjuna
has visited this kingdom during his military campaign to the
north, to collect tribute for
Yudhisthira's
Rajasuya
sacrifice. :-
Arjuna
then defeated the brave Kshatriyas of
Kashmira
and also kirant king Lohita along with ten minor chiefs.
(2,26).Having acknoledgement bravery and honesty of kiranti
people later Arjuna became so much impressed with this kiranti
people of asssam and decided to make permanent friendship with
kiranti people so he was mentioned married with naga kiranti
lady of manipur.
Mahabharata tradition of being the seat of the Naga king
Citravahana, whose daughter Citrangada was married to
Arjuna.Ancient kiranti were nature worshipper and used to
worship snake as well.This kind of all ancient religion were
adopted or stolen by this indo Aryan people and made their
religion.The snake - worship is more widely distributed and
developed in more interesting forms, among the various tribes of
Assam. Among the Khasis of Assam the most remarkable form of
serpent-worship is that of U Thlen, a gigantic snake which
demands to be appeased by the sacrifice of human victims, and
for whose sake murders have been committed.In ancient time the
ancestral god of the royal family is a snake called Pakhangba.
The Rabhas worship a serpent God which once dwelt in a cave and
was propitiated by the annual sacrifice of a boy and a
girl.Because of this reason kiranteshore mahadev always seems
carring snake on his neck.Manipur kiranti land in ancient time
was so much developed and wealthy.
Literally, the word ‘Manipur’ means a jewel of a land, and the
state is set like a gem in the wavy mountains. According to
legend, Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati danced in the valleys of
Manipur accompanied with the Ghandharvas to the celestial light
of Mani (jewel) from the head of the Atishesha, a serpant
and that is how it has come to be called Manipuri. This dance is
an inherent part of the rituals of daily life and it is
performed on religious occasions and in temples throughout the
region.
-
Naga
Ananta
was the first among all the Naga kiranti kings.
-
The second
Naga
chief
Vasuki
had the kingdom near
Kailasa
(hence the connection of Vasuki with lord Siva).
-
The third chief
Takshaka,
in
Takshasila
both not far from
Anantnag.
-
The kingdoms of other Nagas like
Karkotaka
and
Airavata
(near
Iravati River
(Ravi,
one among the five rivers of
Punjab)
were also not far away.
Nagas{kiranti} had kingdoms in
Nagaland
and
Andhra Pradesh.
Arjuna's
wife
Ulupi
was from one of such Naga kingdom (in
Gangetic Plain)
Arjuna's another wife
Chitrangada
who also was known to Ulupi was from
Manipur.
There are now many
Naga
worshiping places in
South India,
especially in
Andhra Pradesh
and
Kerala.Actually
this nag was not really human form of nag but one group of
kiranti naga who used to worship nag and they claim they are
decendant of nag.Who used to rule carrying many different kind
of snake.Even making statue,picture,on flag{like on flag of
bhutan you can see dragon and many chinese flag} and even real
snake in their throne.So for their naga kiranti king aryan
people start to give them many many name like kali nag,shesh
nag,karkotak nag,vashuki nag actually all of them were kiranti
people..still chinese people claim they are decendant of
dragon{another form of gigantic snake}.Still bhutan is called
land of thunder dragon in ancient time bhutan used to called
kirant deshe{land of kirant} and their king is called DRUK
GYALPO(DRAGON KING).Khamer people have mythology they came from
assam nagaland and their anciestor were kiranti naga and their
main deity is nag{snake}.Serpents,
or nagas, play a particularly important role in Cambodian
mythology. A well-known story explains the emergence of the
Khmer people from the union of Indian and indigenous {kirant}
elements, the latter being represented as nagas. According to
the story, an Indian brahmana named Kaundinya came to Cambodia ,
which at the time was under the dominion of the naga king. The
naga princess Soma sallied forth to fight against the invader
but was defeated. Presented with the option of marrying the
victorious Kaundinya, Soma readily agreed to do so, and together
they ruled the land. The Khmer people are their descendants.[Same
thing naga people of mayanmar –Burma their main god is
nag{snake}.This nag worship system is flourished from assam to
nepal,japan,china,korea and in west as well.Still in vietname
many of the ancient temple are guardian by dragon.The king lalit
of kathmandu nepal he brought Rato machindra nath from Assam
because that time kathmandu was fall In drought.He believe rato
machindra can bring rainfall. The word Naga in the
Sanskrit
language means snake or
serpent. It seems likely that the
Naga{kiranti} people were a serpent-worshipping group who were
later described as
serpents themselves in ancient Indian
literature. This transformation or identification was much like
the
Vanaras
(forest-dwelling humans) turning unto monkeys in the
later literature.This can prove ancient one group of kiranti
people used to worship snake and their king ruled with bearing
snake in their throne so they were given a name naga king.Who
ruled with bearing nag.
Arjuna's conquests after Kurukhsetra War
Countless was the fete of Kshatriyas, of kings in
myriads, who fought with
Arjuna
on the occasion of his military campaign to collect tribute for
Yudhisthira's
Ashwamedha
sacrifice, for having lost their kinsmen on the field of
Kurukshetra.
Innumerable
Kiratas
also and
Yavanas,
all excellent bowmen, and diverse tribes of Mlechechas too, who
had been discomfited before (by the
Pandavas
on the field of
Kurukshetra),
and many Arya kings, possessed of soldiers and animals,
encountered
Arjuna
in battle (14,73). He battled with the
Kasis,
the
Angas,
the
Kosalas,
the Kiratas, and the Tanganas (14,83)
Other References
Siva and
Kiratas
Siva
who dwelled in
Kailasa
(Kailas
range in
Tibet)
is mentioned as assuming the disguise of a Kirata and fighting
with
Arjuna
in high-Himalayas
(3-39,49).Siva and parbati is having incarnation of kirant and
kirantni in swasthani brata katha and living around pasupatinath
area like slesh mantak ban.
Maha Shiva Puran described Mahadev was as a chieftain of kirat
tribe. Siva sometimes assumes the form of Kiratas,
Pisachas and Savaras, or that of any
exotic
tribes (13,14).Lord siva was clearly mentioned
as kiranti cast in RIGABED which is oldest among the 4 beds.He
is also mentioned as kailas pati kiranteswore mahadev.In very
beginning in bed he was only simple kiranti god that time Aryan
viewed him as destroyer but later he was promoted as mahadev in
puranic and mahavarat time.There is no doubt he was kirant
because of his nature and structure.Parbati was also kiranti
women who born in himalaya her father was himalaya that time
only the kirantis were aborigine in that area.Kirant women are
as mighty as man they used to kill Bear and tiger when they go
to jungle.Perhaps Aryan people might appreciating power of
kiranti lady in that time calling many name
KALI,KAPALI,BHADRAKALI,DURGA,CHANDI etc Because CHANDI DEVI is
main deitys of kiranti people and considered mighty kiranti
lady.Still Tripura people naga people they worship these goddess
in various forms and names normally worship goddess with
sacrificing animal and even human being in ancient time is done
by kiranti people.Still tripura people practice this kind of
religion they have own their name for all the hindu goddess like
kali,durga,chandi etc.Bramhin people never seen worship goddess
with sacrificing blood.Even hindu religion itself was not
belongs to Aryan later they stolen.all of these goddess and god
where already exist before Aryan vedic people invade India.which
is proved by Japanese and Chinese historians.Lord Buddha was
rebelling against hindu religion the cast sytem and that time of
hindu people viewed him as demon but later because of his
popularity hindu people put him as 9th
incarnation of God Bisnu Which is redicules.
Valmiki and Kiratas
Valmiki
was born into this hunter tribe{kiranti birth name was Ratnakar}
but due to his whisdom and saintly personality he became a
Brahmana who learned Sanskrit. He is the writer of the
Ramayana.Absence
of Bhrahmins among Kiratas
The Mekalas, the
Dravidas,
the Lathas, the
Paundras,
the Konwasiras, the Saundikas, the
Daradas,
the Darvas, the Chauras, the Savaras, the Varvaras, the Kiratas,
the
Yavanas,
and numerous other tribes of Kshatriyas, have become degraded
into the status of Sudras through the absence of
Brahmanas.
(13,35)
There is Doubt about Rawan as well eventhough It’s not real but
only story because name of the rawan’s sister was SUBARNA
KHAN.The KHAN word is only used by mongol tribe.In Mongolia and
turkey{mongoloied people}used to say khan for their ruler and
khanate for place where the ruler ruled.Like ghengis khan and
khanate is Mongolia ulan batar.later who claimed the descendant
of mongol people they used to put khan title.Nowadays you can
find khan title in Pakistan but they are not mongol but they
took that title because of high prestige.
KIRANTI CONNECTIONS WITH CHINESE.
Which I alredy mentioned that kiranti territories was very vast
which touches inner part of china as well and they have very
friendly and unique friendship to each other being as same
yellow rece who fought in mahabharat and against this indo Aryan
people who were invader of Indian continent.Their ancister were
came from middle east {IRAN} 1500 BC.It is mentioned that DEVA
used to drink SOMA RASH in ancient time.This soma rash means
wine made from a kind of plant.This word is not Indian word,The
word came from iran and afganstan.Still afgani and irani people
use to say SOME For wine.It can clearly proved that Aryan
{CHETRIS AND BRAMHINS}anciestor were irani people.how The
kiranti people and Chinese people have very good frendship to
each other in the time of mahavarata . I would like to take
reference from mahabharat epic battle.
China (Cinaratha) in the Epic of Mahabharata
It is well known that in the Mahabharata the Cinas appear with
the Kiratas among the armies of king Bhagadatta of Pragjyotisa
or Assam . In the Sabhaparvan this king is described as
surrounded by the Kiratas and the Cinas. In the Bhismaparvan,
the corps of Bhagadatta, consisting of the Kiratas and the Cinas
of yellow color, appeared like a forest of Karnikaras . It is
significant that the Kiratas represented all the people living
to the east of India in the estimation of the geographers of the
Puranas. Even the dwellers of the islands of the Eastern
Archipelago were treated as Kiratas in the Epics. The reference
to their wealth of gold, silver, gems, sandal, aloewood,
textiles and fabrics clearly demonstrates their association with
the regions included in Suvarnadvipa. Thus, the connection of
the Kiratas and Cinas is a sure indication of the fact that the
Indians came to know of the Chinese through the eastern routes
and considered them as an eastern people, having affinities to
the Kiratas, who were the Indo-Mongoloids, inhabiting the
Tibeto-Burman regions and the Himalayan and East Indian
territories,{all afganstan ,Pakistan,India{himalyan range}to
Cambodia and Vietnam as well. the word Kirata being a derivation
from kiranti or kirati, the name of a group of people in eastern
Nepal.
In early Indian literature China is invariably shown to be
connected with India by a land-route across the country of the
Kiratas in the mountainous regions of the north. In the
Vanaparvan of the Mahabharata the Pandava brothers are said to
have crossed the country of the Cinas in course of their trek
through the Himalayan territory north of Badri and reached the
realm of the Kirata king Subahu. The Cinas are brought into
intimate relationship with the Himalayan people (Haimavatas) in
the Sabhaparvan also. The land of the Haimavatas is undoubtedly
the Himavantappadesa of the Pali texts, which has been
identified with Tibet or Nepal . In the Sasanavamsa this region
is stated to be Cinarattha. Thus, it is clear that China was
known to the Indians as lying across the Himalayas and was
accordingly included in the Himalayan territories. In the
Nagarjunikonda inscription of Virapurusdatta , China (Cina) is
said to be lying in the Himalayas beyond Cilata or Kirata. These
references to the proximity of China to the Himalayan regions,
inhabited by the Kiratas, show that there were regular routes
through the Tibeto-Burman territories, along which the Indians
could reach China .There is myth and written in many hindu
religion book KIRANTESWORE{LORD SIVA}was created SANGRILA In
kiranti country HIMALAYAN RANGE like NEPAL,BHUTAN AND NORTH PART
OF INDIA,where the living being never have sorrow,poor,and
sickness which is like heaven.Still many yogi from India went to
himalaya in search of SANGRILLA.What can we get khowledge
with that myth is that it can clearly shows economic status of
kiranti people and their land.at
That time of Chinese and India Aryan people’s connection was
clearly through the kiranti land and kiranti people which is
mentioned in mahavarat.
(Source: The Soul of India by Amaury de Riencourt p 141 and
161).
China and kirant in Ramayan.
Kiskindhakanda
of
Valmiki |