Story of Pāṇḍya

(A Tamilian dynasty of Kings.) A place of Purāṇic fame in Dakṣiṇa Bhārata. The three states Cera, Cola and Pāṇḍya were from early times renowned states of Dakṣiṇa Bhārata. Historically and Puraṇically Pāṇḍya was a state of eminence.

(A.) Historically. The Pāṇḍya dynasty of Kings is very ancient, The exact period of its beginning is still unknown. Megasthanes who lived in the fourth century B.C. has made mention of the Pāṇḍya dynasty in his diary. Julian, an emperor of Italy, who lived in 361 A.D. is stated to have received visitors from Pāṇḍyadeśa. The Pāṇḍya dynasty was revived and elevated under the leadership of Katuṅka in the 7th century A.D. From that time till the 16th century Madura was the capital of Pāṇḍyadeśa. The Uccāṅgī dynasty which was ruling the places to the south of Tuṅgabhadrā during the period from 9th century to 13th century A.D. is believed to be a part of the Pāṇḍyavaṃśa which had gone from Madura. A continuous history of the Pāṇḍya line of Kings is not available. Many Kings bear names like Jātavarmā or Māravarmā. The Pāṇḍya Kings were devotees of Śiva even from the period of the Jainas. At times they have ruled over the combined kingdoms of Cera and Cola. During the period from the 12th to the 14th century A.D. Pāṇḍya was ruled by five of the most valiant rulers and at that time the Pāṇḍyadeśa included all the places in south India up to Nellore. But the power of the Pāṇḍyas waned when the power of the Sultans who ruled Delhi spread to the south. After 1370 A.D only on rare occasions has the power of the Pāṇḍyas spread to the north of river Kāverī. In 1312 A.D. Kerala got herself free from the hold of the Tamilian Kings. (Pāṇḍyarājya).

(B) Purāṇic fame.

The statements found in Mahābhārata about Pāṇḍyadeśa are given below:—(i) Śrī Kṛṣṇa once slew a Pāṇḍya King who was the father of Malayadhvaja. Malayadhvaja who was a very valiant archer started for Dvārakā to kill Kṛṣṇa to avenge the death of his father. Friends dissuaded him from his attempt and so he dropped the idea. During the time of Mahābhārata Malayadhvaja was the King of Pāṇḍya. (Chapter 23, Droṇa Parva).

(ii) Malayadhvaja, King o Pāṇḍya, was a frequent visitor to the court of Yudhiṣṭhira. (Śloka 24, Chapter 4, Sabhā Parva).

(iii) The King of Pāṇḍya presented gifts at the Rājasūya of Yudhiṣṭhira. (Śloka 35, Chapter 52, Sabhā Parva).

(iv) In the Kurukṣetra battle the Pāṇḍya King fought on the side of the Pāṇḍavas with a large army. (Śloka 9, Chapter 19, Udyoga Parva).

(v) On the chariot of the Pāṇḍya King flags bearing the insignia of ocean flew. The Pāṇḍya King wounded Droṇa. (Śloka 72, Chapter 23, Droṇa Parva).

(vi) The King of Pāṇḍya fought against Vṛṣasena and Aśvatthāmā. (Śloka 46, Chapter 20, Karṇa Parva).