ŚAKA - शक

See also: शक

	Source: Purāṇic Encyclopaedia \| English \|
	A particular sect of people or caste. The following information about the Śakas is gathered from the Mahābhārata. (i) Śakas were born from the breast of Nandinī, Vasiṣṭha's cow. [Ādi Parva, Chapter 147, Verse 36]. (ii) Bhīmasena, during his triumphal tour of the eastern regions subjugated the Śakas. [Sabhā Parva. Chapter 32, Verse 14]. (iii) Nakula conquered them. [Sabhā Parva, Chapter 32, Verse 14]. (iv) King of the Śakas participated in Yudhiṣṭhira's Rājasūya. [Sabhā Parva, Chapter 51, Verse 32]. (v) The Pāṇḍavas invited them to take part in the great war. [Udyoga Parva, Chapter 4, Verse 15]. (vi) They did along with Sudakṣiṇa, king of Kāmboja, service in Duryodhana's army. [Udyoga Parva, Chapter 19, Verse 21]. (vii) Śrī Kṛṣṇa once conquered them. [Droṇa Parva, Chapter 119, Verse 45]. (viii) Karṇa once defeated them and conquered their country. [Karṇa Parva, Chapter 8, Verse 18]. (ix) Śakas who were originally Kṣatriyas were demoted as Śūdras as they incurred the displeasure and anger of brahmins. [Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 33, Verse 21]. (x) As the Śakas and the Yavanas had helped the Haihaya kings Paraśurāma, Sagara and Bharata defeated them in war and drove them off from the country. [Bhāgavata, Navama Skandha].