Geographical and Economic Studies in the Mahabharata: Upayana Parva c6.175

c6.175

Śakas : (M.B., II, 47, 19). In the *Araṇyaka parva* (M.B., III, 186, 29-30) the Śakas with the Andhras, Pulindas, Yavanas, Kāmbojas, Auṛṇikas, Śūdra-Ābhīras, are called Mlecchas, liars and false rulers. They are generally classed with the Pahlavas, Daradas, Kāmbojas, Ṛṣikas and the Paścima-anūpakas (M.B., V, 4, 15). They also appear in the company of the Pahlavas, Daradas, Kirātas and the Yavanas. (M.B., III, 48, 20). They are placed in the company of the Tukhāras and the Kaṅkas M.B., II, 47, 26), the Sauṇḍikas and the Kukkuras (M.B., II, 48, 15). The Śakas may be identified with the Sai-Wangs of the Chinese historians, and the Śaka-Muruṇḍas of Indian literature. Their movements have been described in a previous section.