Vatsa Kingdom

Vatsa was a kingdom situated in the Gangatic plain with Kausambi as its capital, now known as "Kosam" a small town in Uttar Pradesh. There is an archelological site known as "Kosam Ruins" in this town which is believed to be the Kausambi of Ancient India.

Only a passive mention of this kingdom is available in the epic Mahabharata. But in his famous play titled Swapna Vasavadatta, the Classical Sanskrit playwright Bhasa speaks elaborately of a Vatsa king named Udayana and his love object, Princess Vasavadatta.

References of Vatsa kingdom in Mahabharata

List of Kings present in Panchali's self-choice event

*Mahabharata, Book 1, Chapter 188: Dhristadyumna describes each of the kings assembled

"Dhristadyumna to his sister Panchali

........the mighty charioteer Srutayu, Uluka, Kaitava, Chitrangada and Suvangada, the highly intelligent Vatsaraja (King of Vatsa Kingdom), the king of Kosala, Sisupala and the powerful Jarasandha, these and many other great kings—all Kshatriyas celebrated throughout the world—have come, O blessed one, for thee.

Bhima's Military Campaign for Rajasuya

*Mahabharata, Book 2, Chapter 29

The mighty son of Kunti, Bhima, then subjugated, by sheer force, the country called Vatsa Bhumi (Vatsa Kingdom), and the king of the Bhargas, as also the ruler of the Nishadas and Manimat and numerous other kings.

Travels of Amba, the Princes of Kasi

*Mahabharata, Book 5, Chapter 189

She then went unto Vatsa Bhumi resorted to by the Siddhas and Charanas, and which was the retreat of high-souled ascetics of pious deeds. Bathing frequently in the sacred waters of that retreat, the princess of Kasi roamed about according to her will.

Kurukshetra War, Day 2

*Mahabharata, Book 6, Chapter 50

"Dhristadyumna, the Commander-In-Chief of Pandava Army, forms the military formation called Krauncharuma (bird-shaped array)."

Yudhishthira, with the Patachcharas, the Hunas, the Pauravakas and the Nishadas, became its two wings, so also the Pisachas, with the Kundavishas, and the Mandakas, the Ladakas, the Tanganas, and the Uddras, O Bharata, and the Saravas, the Tumbhumas, the Vatsas, and the Nakulas.

Karna's Military Campaign

*Mahabharata, Book 8, Chapter 8: Dridharashtra reflects upon Karna

Karna had subjugated many invincible and mighty foes—the Gandharas, the Madrakas, the Matsyas, the Trigartas, the Tanganas, the Khasas, the Pancalas, the Videhas, the Kulindas, the Kasi-kosalas, the Suhmas, the Angas, the Nishadhas, the Pundras, the Kichakas, the Vatsas, the Kalingas, the Taralas, the Asmakas, and the Rishikas.

Connection with Manu and Haiheyas

*Mahabharata, Book 13, Chapter 30

Manu in days of yore obtained a son celebrated under the name of Saryati. In Saryati’s, race, two kings took their birth, viz., Haihaya and Talajangha. Both of them were sons of Vatsa (King Vatsa. Haihaya had ten wives. Upon them he begot, a century of sons all of whom were highly inclined to fighting. In Kasi there was a king who was the grandfather of Divodasa, known by the name of Haryyaswa. The sons of king Haihaya, who was otherwise known by the name of Vitahavya, invaded the kingdom of Kasi and advancing to the country that lies between the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, fought a battle with king Haryyaswa and also slew him in it. Having slain king Haryyaswa, the sons of Haihaya, fearlessly went back to their own delightful city in the country of the Vatsas.

Rivalry with Bhargava Brahmanas

*Mahabharata, Book 12, Chapter 49

"Bhargava Rama annihilated the Kshatriya kings. The Kshatriya mothers raised their children in secracy. One among them was a Vatsa King"

Pratardana’s son, named Vatsa of great might, has been brought up among calves in a cowpen.

References

*Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated to English by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
*Swapna Vasavadatta of Kalidasa