SIṀHALA Modern Ceylon. In ancient days this place was called Siṁhala and the inhabitants were called Siṁhalas. The following statements about Siṁhala occur in the
[Mahābhārata] .
(1) The low caste people of the Siṁhalas originated from the sides of Nandinī, the cow of the Devas.
[M.B. Ādi Parva, Chapter 174, Verse 37] .
(2) The king of Siṁhala had taken part in the sacrifice Rājasūya of Yudhiṣṭhira.
[Mahābhārata, Sabhā Parva, Chapter 34, Verse 12] .
(3) The Kṣatriyas of Siṁhala gave Yudhiṣṭhira, Chrysoprases, pearls and such other wealth of the sea as present. The people of Siṁhala wore clothes studded with jewels. They were of dark complexion with eyes the ends of which were red.
[M.B. Sabhā Parva, Chapter 58, Verse 35] .
(4) The Siṁhalas took the side of the Kauravas in the battle of Bhārata. In the Garuḍa vyūha formed by Droṇa, the Siṁhalas were stationed in the position of the neck.
[M.B. Droṇa Parva, Chapter 20, Verse 6] .