Sage Kambhoja


Sage Kambhoja

Sage Kambhoja or Kumbhoja (i.e. Kamboja) [1] finds reference in southern Indian recensions of Ramayana. He seems to have lived somewhere on the banks of river Godavari, in south-west India during Ramayana times. Ancient Sanskrit references indicate that ancient Kambojas were closely connected with Vasishthas [2]. These ancient texts also reveal that the Kambojas and some other allied Iranian peoples|Iranian tribes from north-west came to the aid of Vasishtha clan at the time of crisis. It therefore, appears probable that Vasishthas may have acted as Purohits/religious teachers to the Kambojas and the latter may have regarded them as their spiritual guides or gurus [3]. It also appears certain that the Vasishtha Brahmanas were chiefly responsible for the learning and scholarship found among the ancient Kambojas [4]. Ramayana |Ramayanic sage Kumbhoja or Kambhoja appears to be a close friend of sage Agasti. Sage Agasti was brother of sage Vasishtha and was living as a hermit in Dakshinapatha. Rama Chandra (Shri Rama), Lakshmana (Shri Lakshmana) and Sita (Mata Sita) had paid visit to the hermitage of sage Kambhoja, from there they had proceeded to Panchavati during their Vanwasa period before Sita was abducted by Sri Lanka (Sri Lankan) king Ravana.

References

  1. In ancient history of India, a member of a tribe or its prince was also known after the name of his tribe (jana) or his country (janapada). In case of Kamboja tribe, Panini specifically states so in his Ashtadhyayi (Sutra IV.1.175). Thus from tribal name Kamboja came the personal name Kambhoja (Kumbhoja) which is the de-Iranianised version i.e southern Indian form of standard Kamboja.
  2. (Chudakarma Samskaara, Paraskara Grhyam-Sutram 2.1.23, Commentary: Pt Harihar; Valmiki Ramayana, Balakanda, 1.5; Sama Veda's Vamsa Brahmana (1.18-19); Harivamsa Purana 14.01-19; Vayu Purana 88.127-43; Brahma Purana 8.35-51; Brahamanda Purana 3.63.123-141; Shiva Purana 7.61.23; Vishnu Purana 5.3.15-21, Padama Purana 6.21.16-33 etc etc
  3. Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, p 93-94, Dr J. L. Kamboj
  4. Op. cit., p 94, Dr J. L. Kamboj.

Deepak Kamboj

Deepak Kamboj

Deepak Kamboj started and conceptualized the powerful interactive platform - KambojSociety.com in September 2002, which today is the biggest and most popular online community portal for Kambojas in the world. He was inspired by the social and community work carried out by his father Shri Nanak Chand Kamboj. He has done research on the history, social aspects, political growth and economical situation of the Kamboj community. Deepak Kamboj is an author of various articles about the history of Kamboj community and people.