Kalinga II
Monarch of Kalinga mentioned in early Buddhist Jataka records.
Kalinga II was a powerful monarch and possibly an emperor from around the speculated era towards the end of 7th century BCE. He was the son of Chullakalinga, the youngest son of Kalinga I who had married a virtuous princess from Sagala (Madra). Kalinga II ascended the throne of the ancient state of Kalinga after the death of his paternal uncle Mahakalinga. He finds mention in early Buddhist Jataka records of Chullakalinga Jataka (named after his father) and Kalingabodhi Jataka. He had spent most of his young life in the forests of Himavat where his father lived in exile, trained with qualities of a king by his father and maternal grandfather.
Quick Facts
- Father
- Chullakalinga
- Uncle
- Mahakalinga
- Kingdom
- Kalinga
- Maternal grandfather's kingdom
- Sagala (Madra)
- Coronation
- Fifteenth day of his coronation
Facts from the source article.
Encounter with the Divine Powers of the Bodhi Tree
After becoming king, Kalinga II rode on his royal elephant to visit his parents in the forest. His path was obstructed by the Bodhi Tree circuit where Buddha had meditated. In impatience, he repeatedly tried to make his elephant break through the tree. The elephant died from the pain of hitting the holy tree, but the tree remained unmoved. Kalinga Bharadvaja explained the tree's spiritual power, and the king then worshiped the circuit for seven days with fragrant ingredients before he could pass.
War with King Aruna of Assaka and Defeat
Kalinga II declared he would marry his four beautiful daughters to any warrior royalty who could defeat him in battle. He sent his daughters on a decorated chariot with escorts to surrounding kingdoms; none dared stop them until they entered Assaka. King Aruna, jealous of Kalinga's glory, captured the princesses. With advice from his minister Nandisena, Aruna defeated Kalinga's forces in a long battle fought at the frontier areas of Assaka and Kalinga, though initial efforts had brought Kalinga close to victory. After the defeat, Kalinga II gave up his daughters in marriage to Aruna along with a large dowry.
Conclusion
Kalinga II maintained military superiority over other kingdoms. His ability to march forces to the frontiers of Assaka in the Deccan region suggests his territorial extent was large, not confined to Odisha and Northern Andhra. His encounter with the Bodhi tree indicates he was lenient toward Buddhist ideals.
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