Friday, September 14, 2007

South Asian origin of the name California

A theory that directly links the name California to a Vedic myth has been suggested. In Hindu mythology, the sage Kapila is said to have burnt King Sagar's 60,000 sons to the ground on being accused of abducting their horse. This incident is said to have taken place at "Kapilaaranya" - derived from Kapila Aranya or Kapila's Forest. The link between the Paatala-loka (literally underworld) which is where the horse allegedly ran off to and the situation of America on the earth directly opposite to India, or in other words "beneath" it, has been noted by proponents of this derivation of "California". The existence of an Ash Mountain Park in California and a Horse Island in Alaska seem to consolidate this possibility, although few authorities have voiced any opinions regarding the Kapilaaranya/California mystery.

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