Campā, also written Cāmpā, was the capital city of the ancient kingdom of Aṅga. It lay on the bank of the Gaṅgā in eastern Bhārata. It was a prosperous and famous city in the age of the Mahābhārata. In the Vana Parva (Chapter 111), Campā is the city to which the forest ṛshi Ṛshyaśṛṅga was brought, drawn by a courtesan whom King Romapāda had sent. When he arrived, rain fell and the drought of the kingdom ended. Campā is also linked with Karṇa, whom Duryodhana made king of Aṅga.

The name

The name Campā goes with the campaka tree, whose sweet-smelling flowers (Magnolia champaca) are linked with beauty and fine taste.

Ṛshyaśṛṅga comes to Campā

In the account of Ṛshyaśṛṅga (Chapters 110–113), Campā is where the courtesan brought the innocent forest ṛshi by river. She drew out his curiosity and affection and persuaded him to come with her to “her āśrama”. She took him by boat to Campā. The moment his feet touched the soil of Aṅga, rain fell, and the drought was ended. (Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, Chapter 111)

King Romapāda received Ṛshyaśṛṅga with honour at Campā. He performed the pāṇigrahaṇa (the rite of giving the bride’s hand) and gave his daughter Śāntā in marriage to the ṛshi. The couple lived in Campā as honoured members of the royal house.

Sources

Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, Chapter 111 (the account of Ṛshyaśṛṅga is in Chapters 110–113)