Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c11.s5.13

c11.s5.13

**Kurukshetra.** Oldenberg has adduced a body of select evidence on the point which may be set forth after him. ‘The Kurukshetra is the place of sacrifice of the gods [*Satap.*, iv, 1, 5, 13; xiv, 1, 1, 2]. From the Chamasa which the gods used in the sacrifice was produced the sacred tree Nyagrodha; the first-born of the Nyagrodha trees grew on the Kurukshetra [*Ait. Br.*, vii, 30]. In the tale of Purūravas and Urvaśī, the Kurukshetra plays a part [*Śatap.*, xi, 5, 1, 4]. The offerings which must be made on the Sarasvatī, Dṛishadvatī, and Yamunā are known [*Pañchav. Br.*, xxv, 10; *Śāṅkh. Śr.*, xiii, 29; *Kāty.*, xxiv, 6]. In the north, among the Kuru-Pañchālas, is the country where the Vāch has her peculiar home; the Vāch, as she there is, is truly (*nidānena*) to be called a Vāch [*Śat.*, iii, 2, 3, 15]. Some prefer the Pañchāvattam to the Chaturavattam, but the Chaturavattam follows the custom of the Kuru-Pañchālas; "therefore, let it be given the preference" [ib., i, 7, 2, 8]. There are other references to the Kurus or Pañchālas showing their relative importance, e.g. a saying of the Kuru-Pañchālas with reference to such of their kings as have performed the Rājasūya [*Śat.*, v, 5, 2, 5]; a form of Vājapeya offering called Kuru-Vājapeya [*Śāṅkh. Śr.*, xv, 3, 15]; a disaster of a shower of stones, to the Kurus [*Chhānd.*, i, 10, 1]; an old verse, "the mare saves the Kurus" [ib., iv, 17, 9]; a Brahmin's threat that the Kurus shall be obliged to fly from Kurukshetra [*Śāṅkh. Śr.*, xv, 15, 10].