Uttararishika

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Uttararishikas (उत्तरऋषिक), meaning northern Rishikas, were a division of Rishikas (ऋषिक) who were tribe of Central Asia and South Asia, mentioned in Mahabharata, Ramayana, Brihat-Samhita, the Markendeya Purana and Patanjali's Mahabhasya.

Variants

Uttararishikas (उत्तरऋषिक) (AS, p.89)

Jat clans

• Rishika
• Gathwala
• Malik

History

V. S. Agrawala writes that Patanjali mentions names of two other janapadas, viz., Rishika and Jihnu. Rishika - The Rishika occurs in Mahabharata as part of Sakadvipa, Arjuna conquered Rishikas across the Vakshu (Oxus), which flowed through the Saka country. Rishikas were later known as Yuechis, whose language was called Ārśi. Jihnu is perhaps modern Jhind.

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Some historians believe the Rishikas were a part of, or synonymous with, the Kambojas. However, there are other theories regarding their origins. Classical literary texts state that the Rishikas were neighbors of the Parama Kambojas and the Lohanas in Saka-dvipa ("Sakaland") (most likely Transoxiana).

According to traditional accounts, during the 2nd century BCE a subgroup of Rishikas migrated to southwestern India and settled there, crossing Afghanistan, Balochistan, Sindhu and Sovira. According to the Mahabharata Sabha Parva (II.24.24)), there were two divisions within the Rishikas: Uttararishika ("northern") and Parama Kamboja ("eastern").

उत्तरऋषिक

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर ने लेख किया है ... उत्तरऋषिक (AS, p.89) - 'लोहान् परमकाम्बोजानृषिकानुत्तरानपि, सहितांस्तान् महाराज व्यजयत् पाकशासनि:।' अर्जुन ने अपनी दिग्विजय-यात्रा के प्रसंग में उत्तर-ऋषिकों से घोर युद्ध करने के पश्चात् उन पर विजय प्राप्त की थी। संदर्भ से अनुमेय है कि उत्तर-ऋषिकों का देश वर्तमान सिन्क्यांग (चीनी तुर्किस्तान) में रहा होगा। कुछ विद्वान् ऋषिक को यूची का ही संस्कृत रूप समझते हैं। चीनी इतिहास में ई. सन् से पूर्व दूसरी शती में यूची जाति का अपने स्थान या आदि यूची प्रदेश से दक्षिण-पश्चिम की ओर प्रव्रजन करने का उल्लेख मिलता है। कुशान इसी जाति से सम्बद्ध थे। ऋषिकों की भाषा को आर्षी कहा जाता था। सम्भव है रूसी और ऋषिक शब्दों में भी परस्पर सम्बन्ध हो। ('ऋ' का वैदिक उच्चारण 'रु' था जो मराठी आदि भाषाओं में आज भी प्रचलित है।)

In Mahabharata

Rishika (ऋषिक) are mentioned in Mahabharata (I.61.30), (II.24.24),

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Adi Parva, Mahabharata/Book I Chapter 61 gives genealogy of the Danavas, Asuras, Kauravas, Pandavas, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Rakshasas. Rishika (ऋषिक) are mentioned in Mahabharata verse (I.61.30)....The foremost, among the sons of Diti known by the name of Chandra and handsome as the lord of the stars himself, became on earth noted as Chandravarman, the king of the Kambojas. That bull amongst the Danavas who was known by the name of Arka became on earth, O king, the royal sage Rishika.

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Sabha Parva, Mahabharata/Book II Chapter 24 mentions countries subjugated by Arjuna that lay to the North. Rishika (ऋषिक) is mentioned in Mahabharata verse (II.24.24)..... the son of Indra (Arjuna) also subjugated the allied tribes of the Lohana, the eastern Kambojas, and northern Rishikas. And the battle with the Rishikas was fierce in the extreme. Indeed, the fight that took place between them and the son of Pritha was equal to that between the gods and the Asuras in which Taraka (the wife of Vrihaspati) had become the cause of so much slaughter. And defeating, O king, the Rishikas in the field of battle, Arjuna took from them as tribute eight horses that were of the colour of the parrot's breast, as also other horses of the hues of the peacock, born in northern and other climes and endued with high speed.