Historical Geography of Ancient India c6.56

c6.56

The name is written as Ahikṣetra as well as Ahicchatra (Serpent-umbrella). Ahicchatra seems to be the correct form.¹ The old name of Ahicchatra is Adhicchatra (preserved in an inscription; Luders' List of Brāhmī Inscriptions, Index) which is nearer to the Greek form of Adisadra of Ptolemy, (McCrindle, Ancient India as described by Ptolemy, p. 133). It was also called Chatravatī (Mahābhārata, Ādiparva, Ch. 168). Adhicchatrā is the name found in the Pabhosā cave inscription of Āṣādhasena dated about the beginning of the Christian era (E.I., II, p. 432; Luders' List, Nos. 90 and 905; Inscription of Gautamīmitra, N. G. Majumdar, I.H.Q.). Arjuna gave the city of Ahicchatra together with that of Kāmpilya to Droṇa after having defeated Drupada in battle. Having accepted both the cities, Droṇa, the foremost of victors, gave away Kāmpilya to Drupada (Harivaṃśa, Ch. XX, 74-75). According to the Vividhatīrtha-kalpa (p. 14), Saṃkhyāvatī was the earlier name of Ahicchatra. Pārśvanātha wandered about in this town. Kamaṭhāsura, inimical to Pārśvanātha, caused an incessant shower of rains inundating the entire earth. Pārśvanātha was immersed in water up to his neck. To protect him the Nāgarājā of the place, accompanied by his queens, appeared on the scene, held a canopy of his thousand hoods over his head and coiled himself round his body. That is the reason why the town was named Ahicchatra.