Madra and List of Garfield characters: Difference between pages

Revision as of 06:57, 30 March 2007

Revision as of 17:36, 9 July 2007

Line 1:

This is a list of characters in the [[comic strip]] [[Garfield]], as well as the [[animated cartoon]] series ''[[Garfield and Friends]]''.

:''For other uses, see [[Madras (disambiguation)]].''

{{fansite}}

{{verylong}}

== Primary characters ==

===Garfield===

{{main|Garfield (character)}}

[[Image:Garfield.JPG|130px|thumb|right|Garfield]] '''Garfield''' is the main central character in the [[Jim Davis]] [[comic strip]] ''[[Garfield]]''. He is a [[lazy]], [[selfish]], [[overweight]], [[orange (colour)|orange]] [[tabby cat]] who enjoys eating, sleeping, stealing Jon's dinner, and tormenting Odie by kicking him off the table. He loves [[lasagna]] and enjoys entertaining (or annoying) an unseen neighboring audience on top of a fence in the middle of the night (and gets bombarded by various objects by the agitated audience for it). He hates [[spider]]s, and often splats them until they are as flat as a pancake with a rolled up newspaper. His first appearance was June 19, 1978. His first TV appearance was on [[Here Comes Garfield]]. His last was on the [[Garfield and Friends]] episode, [[The Ocean Blue]].

{{-}}

===Jon Arbuckle===

'''Madra''' or '''Madraka''' is the name of an ancient region and its inhabitants, located in the north-west division of ancient [[India]]n [[sub-continent]].

[[Image:JonArbuckle.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Jon Arbuckle]]

Jon is the owner of Garfield and Odie, a total [[nerd]], and a clumsy [[individual]]. He is the primary [[fodder]] and conversation partner to Garfield and is often the butt of his jokes. He makes his living as a cartoonist. This reference has not been seen in the comic strip since its early days, but the animated show Garfield and Friends does show him several times in his job as a [[cartoonist]]. Jon manages to make enough money to keep Garfield well fed — no easy feat. Often, Jon, as well as Garfield, gets bored, and comes up with "fun" ways to cure boredom (such as buying new [[socks]], clipping his [[toenails]], or playing "Guess the [[Burp]]" with Garfield). His full name has been revealed as Jonathan Q. Arbuckle (the "Q" might stand for "[[Quack]]") in a [[Christmas]] strip. He is played by [[Breckin Meyer]] in the [[Garfield film]]s. His first television appearance was on [[Here Comes Garfield]]. Hist last was on [[The Ocean Blue]].

===Odie===

==Uttaramadra division==

{{main|Odie}}

[[Aitareya Brahmana]] makes first reference to the Madras as Uttaramadras i.e northern Madras and locates them in the trans-[[Himalaya]]n region as neighbors to the [[Uttara Kurus]]. The Uttara Madras, like the [[Uttara Kurus]], are stated to follow the [[Republic|republican]] constitution. The [[Uttara Madra]] country of Aitareya Brahmana is often identified with Bahlika ([[Bactria]]).

[[Image:Garfield character Odie.png|thumb|right|Odie.]]

He is a lovable but intellectually challenged yellow-furred, brown-eared [[beagle]] constantly panting with his very large tongue, and the only character without a "voice" as he was portrayed as a "normal" house dog. However, he was once shown to be thinking "I'm hungry". He also says "I don't know, I'm kinda scared," as a "mistake" in the cartoon episode "Mistakes Will Happen". More recently, he was seen actually speaking in one of Garfield's dream sequences. [http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?2005-ga050710] He also sometimes thinks like Garfield. [http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?1995-ga951221] He sometimes says minor things in episodes of the television series, such as "Ta-da!", "Huh?", or more commonly, panting "Yeah, yeah, yeah!". In the [[live-action]] [[film]]s based on the strip, Odie was a real-life [[dachshund]]. Though he may seem stupid, in one strip, he was seen reading "[[War and Peace]]" and listening to [[Mozart]]. First appeared: [[Here Comes Garfield]]. Last appeared: [[The Ocean Blue]].

<br clear=all>

==Madra divisions=Arlene===

[[Image:Arlene.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Arlene]]

As the name ''[[Uttaramadra|Uttara Madras]]'' itself shows, there was yet another Madra group also, which obviously was living to the south of the Uttara Madras (northern Madras). These southern Madras were an offshoot from the Uttaramadras, a bulk of whom, probabbly under [[nomad |nomadic]] pressure from north, migrated southwards and settled in [[Punjab]] <ref> cf: History and Archaeology of India's Contacts with Other Countries, from Earliest Times to 300 B.C. 1976, p 120,Shashi Asthana; Glimpses of Ancient Panjab – 1966, p 31, Buddha Prakash; Geographical Data in the Early Purāṇas: A Critical Study – 1972, p 154, Dr M. R. Singh; cf: ''The Madras were the descendants of Uttara-madras who lived beyond the [[Himalaya]]s in the neighborhood of the Kambojas, possibly in Bahlika region. Owing to climatological or political reasons, a bulk of the Madra people advanced southwards and settled in Punjab, where Sakala also known as Bahikagrama, was their principal settlement (Foreign Elements in Ancient Indian Society, 2nd Century BC to 7th Century AD, 1938, p 15, Uma Prasad</ref>

'''First Appearance:''' [http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?1980-ga801217 December 17, 1980]

Garfield's female friend. She is a [[pink]] cat with a long neck and buck teeth. She once wished their relationship would take a few steps, but Garfield does not seem to notice. Garfield once quipped in the early strips that he and Arlene have an apparent love-hate relationship: Garfield loves himself, and Arlene hates that. Garfield loves to tease Arlene about the gap between her front teeth, which also infuriates her. She seems somewhat more clever than Garfield and repays his teasing with witty comebacks.

The post-[[Vedic civilization|Vedic]], pre-[[Buddhist]] [[Brahmanical]] literature is overflowing with the names of [[tribe]]s. The most powerful among them, commanding the greatest respect, in the Madhyadesha (Middle country) was the Kuru-Panchala which incorporated the two families of [[Kuru]] and [[Puru]] (and the earlier [[Bharata]]s) and of which the Panchalas was a confederation of lesser-known tribes. They occupied the Upper Doab and the [[Kurukshetra]] region. In the Prachya or east, the [[clan]]s of [[Kasi]], [[Kosala]] and [[Magadha]] predominated. In the north-west or [[Uttarapatha]] division, the [[Kamboja]], [[Gandhara]], and the Madra clans were the most important.

Although she never appeared on the animated series (with the exception of a cameo appearance in the fourth season), she appeared in the film version as well, where she was voiced by [[Debra Messing]]. Arlene, whom is never shown talking in animation, will possibly have a speaking line in the 2007 direct to video movie, [[Garfield Gets Real]].

==Panini's Madras==

[[Panini]] documents the Madra [[janapada]] as a part of modern [[Punjab region|Punjab]] country with [[capital]] at Sakala or [[Sagala]], modern [[Sialkot]]. Panini mentions two divisions of the Madras in Panjab or Vahika country i.e. the Purva (''Eastern'') Madras and the Apara (''Western'') Madras. The Purva-Madra extended from the [[Ravi River|Ravi]] to [[Chenab]] and the Apara-Madra from Chenab to the [[Jhelum River|Jhelum]]. Thus, it appears probable that the Madras of Panjab had cultural interaction with Bahlika (Bactria) country, the land of the [[Uttara Madras]]. Some verses in the Mahabharata allude to this connection of the Madras with the Uttara Madras.

In the book ''Garfield's Judgment Day'', it was revealed she was a stray cat, which she had never revealed to Garfield until emergency situations brought it to light.

==Madra was Bahika country==

Madra was a part of the Bahika or Vahika country. Some hold that Madra was Vahika country.<ref>Some Kshatriya Tribes of Ancient India, p 215, Dr Law.</ref> They held the central parts of Punjab &mdash; the region lying between river [[Chenab]] and [[Ravi River|Ravi]].<ref>Early History of India, p 286, V. A. Smith; op cit. p 215, Dr B. C. Law.</ref> In epic period, they occupied the district of Sialkot.<ref>Cambridge History of India, Ancient India, pp 549-50</ref> Panini does not offer derivation of Bahika but [[Katyayana]] derives it from ''Bahis'' 'outer edge' with the suffix ''ikak''.<ref>Katyayana's Vartika, IV.1.85.5.</ref> This agrees with [[Mahabharata]] description of Bahika as the country of five rivers but was where [[Dharma]] was weak (''dharma-bahya''), devoid of religion (''nashta-dharma'') and impure (''aśuchi'').<ref>Mahabharata 8.44.7.32</ref>

===Pooky the Teddy Bear===

Karna Parva of Mahabharata derives name Bahika from the names of two Pishachas or [[demon]]s named ''Bahi'' and ''Hika'' (''Bahi + hika = Bahika'') living in river Vipasa ([[Beas]]). The Bahikas or Vahikas i.e the people of Punjab are the offspring of those two Pishacas. They are not creatures created by Prajapati.<ref> Also 'Vahik' simply means cultivator or one that ploughs the fields which is true for this fertile region.

[[Image:Pooky.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Pooky]]

'''First Appearance:'''

[http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?1978-ga781023 October 23, 1978]

Pooky is Garfield's teddy bear and best friend that Garfield discovered stuffed in a drawer. Despite the fact that Pooky is a stuffed animal, Garfield acts as though he can communicate with him. At one point, Garfield pretended to teach Pooky how to jump through hoops then Garfield turned around to talk to Jon. When he turned back Pooky was on the other side of the hoop. Garfield is generally overprotective of Pooky. Once Garfield thought he lost Pooky so he turned into "The Caped Avenger", a repeating storyline, and tried to find Pooky. It turned out that Jon had just thrown him in the wash.

:pancha nadyo vahantyeta yatra nihsritya parvatat |

:Aratta nama bahikA na teshvaryo dvyaha.n vaset ||41||

:bahishcha nama hikashcha vipashayam pishachakau |

:tayorapatyam bAhikA naishA srishtih prajapateh ||42||

The strip shows Garfield searching through Jon Arbuckle's bottom drawer, finding Pooky, and adopting him as his own. Once, Pooky lost an eye for several comic strips. It was replaced the following [[Christmas]]. In addition, Pooky was over-squeezed by Garfield and had an inflated head. Afterwards, Garfield tried to squeeze him back but made his head thin and body thick. Then, Jon "completely restuffed" Pooky and made him fat on both ends. Also, Pooky had lost his arm on one occasion on the week of January 1, 1983, but was sewn back on. Garfield looks at Pooky as the only one that he can truly trust. Outside of dream sequences and the like, Pooky has never been "brought to life" (as in the case of [[Hobbes (Calvin and Hobbes character)|Hobbes]] of the comic strip ''[[Calvin and Hobbes]]'') "on camera" in the strip, but on rare occasions, the possibility that Pooky is more than just a stuffed bear is brought up, though never confirmed or denied. (Garfield was pretending to teach him to jump through a hoop. Jon asked what was happening. Garfield looked away for a moment. Pooky appeared on the other side of the hoop). In the Spanish translation of the strip, Pooky was initially named "Doggy" ("perrito") but suddenly changed name to Pooky in further lines. In a few strips, he is referred to as "Pookie" but "Pooky" is clearly used more often.

:'''Translation''':

<br clear=all>

===Nermal===

"There where the five rivers flow just after issuing from the mountains, there among the Aratta-Vahikas, no respectable person should dwell even for two days. There are two Pishacas named Vahi and Hika in the river [[Vipasa]]. The Vahikas are the offspring of those two Pishacas. They are not creatures created by the Prajapati" (Mahabharata 8.44.41-42).</ref>

[[Image:Nermal.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Nermal]]

'''First Appearance:''' [http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?1979-ga790903 September 3, 1979]

Nermal is a small gray [[kitten]], self-proclaimed "The world's cutest [[kitten]]." He frequently makes unannounced visits into Garfield's home, where he flaunts his cuteness and becomes the focus of Jon's attention for the entire duration of his visit, much to Garfield's dismay. Nermal especially does this on Garfield's birthdays to remind him of how he is getting older.

==Variants of Madra==

Variants of Madra are also found as Madraka, Bhadra, Bhadraka.<ref>madra = bhadra, sutra II.3.73 and V.4.67.</ref> It has been pointed out that Bhadras were located on [[Ghaggar]] near north-eastern border of [[Bikaner]].

Nermal is a male kitten, but his voice actress in the cartoon ([[Desirée Goyette]]) and long [[eyelashes]] have led to some confusion over his gender. It is revealed in one strip that he is a model for cat calendars and greeting cards. He once mentioned that he is going to stay cute and small forever because he's a midget. ("I think small," he once quipped, "and the coffee and cigarettes don't hurt.") However, there is evidence that Nermal preserves his cuteness by mud packing his face. In exasperation and feelings of being degraded for ugliness and advancement in age, Garfield ultimately attempts to ship Nermal to [[Abu Dhabi]]. In later strips Nermal grows up and appears to be in what could be considered adolescence, but retains his vanity and continues to poke fun at Garfield.

==Mahabharata references==

The Spanish-dubbed version of the TV series changed Nermal's name to Thelma during some seasons. His first television appearance was on [[School Daze (Garfield and Friends)|School Daze]]. His last was on [[Change of Mind]]. In ''[[Garfield (film)|Garfield: The Movie]]'', Nermal is portrayed as an adult (and slow witted) [[Siamese (cat)|Siamese]] cat rather than a small gray kitten, and is voiced by [[David Eigenberg]].

The Mahabharata refers to a king Vyusitashva of the [[Puru]] family whose wife Bhadra bore seven sons--, four Madras and three Salvas.<ref>Mahabharata I, Ch 43.</ref> This tradition indicates that Salvas and Madras belonged to common stock and there were seven branches of one tribe. But ''Kasika'' and ''Vaijayanti'' refer to only six branches of the Salvas (and Madras) viz., Udumbras, Tilakhala, Bhulinga, Sardanda, Yugandhara and Madrakara<ref>Ancient People of the Punjab, pp 74-75, Prof J. Przyluski; Geographical Data in Early Puranas, A Critical Study, 1972, p 153, Dr M. R. Singh.</ref>. The above list apparently does not include all the branches of the Salvas and the Madras. Though there is no ancient reference to four branches of the Madras, Dr M. R. Singh has however suggested them to have been as ''Uttamabhadra, Sravanabhadra, Prabhadra and the Bhadra or Madra'' themselves.<ref>Geographical Data in Early Puranas, 1972, p 154, Dr M. R. Singh. </ref> (''Variants of Madra are also found as Bhadra, Madraka, Bhadraka'' and that Bhadraka and Madraka are transferable).<ref>madra = bhadra, Panini's sutra II.3.73 and V.4.67; Ancient People of Punjab, p 51ff, Prof J Przyluski; Geographical Data in Early Puranas, A Critical Study, 1972, p 153, Dr M. R. Singh.</ref> ''Prabhadraka'' as an '''attribute''' has been used for the [[Parama Kamboja Kingdom|Parama-Kambojas]] section who had sided with the [[Pandavas]] in the [[Kurukshetra war]] against the [[Kauravas]].<ref>Mahabharata verses 7.23.42-44.

===Mom===

:Yuktaih '''Parama. Kambojai'''rjavanairhemamalibhih.

[[Image:JonsMom.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Mom]]

:bhishayanto dvishatsainyan yama vaishravanopamah.||42||

'''First Appearance:''' [http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?1980-ga800213 February 13, 1980]

:'''prabhadrakastu Kambojah''' shatsahasranyudayudhah.

:nanavarnairhayashreshthairhemachitrarathadhvajah. ||43||

:sharavratairvidhunvantah shatrunvitatakarmukah.

:samanamrityavo bhutva dhrishtadyumnan samanvayuh.||44||

: (''Mahabharata, Gorakhpore Recension'').</ref>

Jon’s mother lives on a farm and is known to be a great cook (she can make just about anything out of potatoes, proven in a 1980s strip when she creates five different kinds of potatoes(Scalloped, Whipped, Fried, Baked and Broiled.) She also always has the same expression on her face. Based on Jim Davis' mother Betty Davis, Jon's mother is also known for sending him and Garfield cooked meals in packages. Jon once got mashed potatoes and Garfield got gravy, which started to leak from the corner of the envelope. On one Christmas occasion, after Dad said, "Please tell me they were adopted.", her response was "I don't know, I was out at the time."

The ''[[Uttamabhadras]]'' lived in [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]], the ''Bhadrakas'' in modern Bhadra and ''Sravanabhadras'' are believed to have migrated from Kanyuakubja and settled in Malwa.<ref>Ethnic Settlements in Ancient India, p 25.</ref> Uttamabhadras originally were people of Balkh who had entered India in [[Vedic Civilization|Vedic]] times. In Vedic times, they were closely related to [[Kurus]] and the [[Purus]]. In [[Kurukshetra war]], we also find Madras associated with the Kurus.<ref> Mahabharata 6.61.12; 4.71.14; 4.74.19; 8.7.15; 8.56.70</ref> King [[Shalya]] had taken part in the [[Mahabharata]] war, on behalf of the Kauravas. Madri, the mother of [[Pandava]]-putras [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]], was a Madra [[princess]]. Madri has also been referred to as Bahliki i.e princess of Bahlika janapada/tribe and king Salya has been referred to as Bahlika-pungava i.e foremost among the [[Bahlikas]]. Epic also refers to king Ashvapati of Madra, the beloved of the Paura Janapadas, who was father of Savitri. King Vyusitashva was a descendent of Puru a famous king of Rigvedic times.<ref>Geographical Data in Early Puranas, A Critical Study, 1972, p 155, Dr M. R. Singh.</ref>

In ''[[A Garfield Christmas Special]]'' and the Garfield episode, ''[[Feeling Feline]]'', she was voiced by [[Julie Payne]].

These references obviously connect the Vahika Madras to Bahlika i.e [[Bactria]] Madras i.e the Vedic Uttara-Madras or Uttamabhadras, which is known to have been the earliest settlement of the Madra people. It is also seen from the above references that initially Mahabharata had really high opinion of the Madras. But later, this view was changed since there are several later [[Epic poetry|epic]] references where the Madras have been severely downgraded. Every possible ill word has been spoken against them.

===Dad===

In ''Karna Parva'' of Mahabharata, [[Karna]] specifically directs his wrath against [[Shalya]] who was from Madra, and ridicules the region he was from. Karna calls the Madra men and women as "scum" of humanity.<ref>"....The caste observances were so slack in the frontiers that the Brahmanical literature began to look upon the Madra, [[Gandhara]] and [[Kamboja]] peoples as loose-lived and barbaric. As compared to the rigid four-class social system of Madhyadesa, these tribes of the frontiers followed two social classes and further there was permissible vertical mobility.... The women were treated equal to men and there was no taboo of social mixing among the two sexes. Both sexes ate meat, drank strong liquor and there would be mixed public dancing in a state of undress. Such way of life was positively obscene to the eastern [[Brahmin]] eyes. The custom of bride price among the Madras (instead of dowry) appeared degrading to the easterners. Nevertheless, the beauty, the loving nature and utter fidelity of the women of the north-west including Madra, Bahlika remained proverbial (e.g: ''Immortal Love Legend of [[Savitr]]i & [[Satyavan]]. Savitri was the daughter of Asvapati, king of Madra tribe''). A warrior's widow in these regions would even immolate herself with her husband's corpse. The horrifying custom of Sati was completely unknown in the east until as late as 6th century AD.........Compared to the above feeling of the easterners towards the westerners, there are, unfortunately, no surviving records which tell us as to just what the westeners thought of the snobishly exclusive and yet rather countrified accolytes of the east; but it is known that the more enterprising low-caste youths from the east could travel to the west, acquire the brahmin's bag of tricks and ultimately pass themselves off as brahmins. No attention was paid by their learned frontier teachers to caste limits upon occupation.." (''See: Mobile Men: Limits to Social Change in Urban Punjab - 1976, p 3, Satish Saberwal;

[[Image:JonsDad.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Dad]]

The Culture and Civilization of Ancient India in Historical Outline, p 119, D. D. Kosambi''. '''See the link''': [http://www.vidyaonline.net/arvindgupta/cultddk.pdf -]). Obviously, it were such Brahmins who had later passed judgements as above on the non-puritanic way of lives of the frontier westerners. </ref> '''See link''' [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08044.htm].

'''First Appearance:''' [http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?1980-ga800213 February 13, 1980]

Jon's father who tends the family farm. In his sole animated appearance, ''[[A Garfield Christmas Special]]'', he was voiced by [[Pat Harrington Jr.]] and as proved in one strip has not been off the farm in a long time. Based on Jim Davis' father, James William Davis.

''Adi Parava'' of [[Mahabharata]] says that Madra princes had attended Draupadi's self-choice (Swayamvara) ceremony along with the other princes of neighbouring kingdoms from [[Ordinal directions|northwest]]. Thus prince Shalya, the king of [[Madra Kingdom]], with his son, the heroic Rukmangada, Rukmaratha, Somadatta (king of Bahlika Kingdom) of the [[Kuru]] race with his three sons - Bhuri, Bhurisrava, and Sala and [[Sudakshina Kamboja]] the arch-bowman (''dridhadhanva'') of the [[Puru]] race <ref> As per Mahabharata translation by Ganguli, the epic styles [[Sudakshina Kamboja |Sudakshina Kamboj]] as belonging to the Kuru/Puru race. This reference, if true, apparently connects the tribal Kambojas with broader Puru/Kuru race. Thus, the Kambojas may appear to have been an off-shoot from the Kurus/Purus and later-on, under an eponymous chieftain called Kamboja, they had established for themselves a distinct royal family, separate from the Kurus. There is indeed an evidence to this chieftain (called Kamboja) in the Shanti Parva of Mahabharata (MBH 12.167.76). '''See link''': [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharata_Sword]</ref> <ref>The Gorakhpore recension of Mahabharata styles Sudakshina Kamboj as of Puru race, but the Poona Critical Edition styles him as of Kuru race. But this does not make any difference since the Kurus and Purus are ethnically connected and come from the same original racial stock.</ref> had particiapated in the Draupidi swayamvara<ref>See 1.185-13-15 Gorakhpore recension; See also

:Madrarajastatha Shalyah sahaputro maharathah |

:Rukmangadena virena tatha Rukmarathena cha ||13||

:kauravyah Somadattashcha putrashchasya maharathah |

:samavetastrayah shura BhurirBhurishravah Shalah ||14||

:sudakshinashcha Kambojo dridhadhanva cha pauravah |

:Brihadbalah suSheNashcha shibiraushInarastathA ||15||.

: (Mahabharata 1.185-13-15). </ref> '''See Ganguli's Trans''': [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01189.htm].

===Doc Boy===

[[Karna]] had fought with and vanquished the [[Madra|Madrakas]], [[Kekaya]]s, [[Kambojas]], [[Avanti]]s, [[Gandhara]]s, Matsyas, Trigartas, Tanganas, [[Sakas]], [[Panchala]]s, Videhas, Kulindas, [[Kasi Kingdom|Kasi]], [[Kosala]]s, Suhma, [[Anga]], [[Vanga]], Nishada, [[Kalinga]] Taralas, [[Asmaka Kingdom|Asmakas]], [[Rishikas]], Mlechchas and forest dwellers etc.<ref>Mahabharata 8.8.18-20.</ref>

[[Image:DocBoy.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Doc Boy]]

'''First Appearance:''' [http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?1983-ga830517 May 17, 1983]

Jon's brother who lives on a farm with his mother and father, and often fights with Jon, calling him a "city slicker". Hates being called "Doc Boy" and Jim Davis addresses in a strip once that he did not like the name since he started wearing pants. Based on Jim Davis' brother David "Doc" Davis, who's not nearly as goofy as his cartoon counterpart.

Madra king [[Shalya]], came with an Akshouhini of [[troops]] to join the army of [[Pandavas]], since youngest Pandavas, the twins [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]], were his nephews. It is stated that his troops marched slowly on every day from Madra ([[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]] province of Pakistan) to ''Upaplavya'' (somewhare in the boarder of [[Rajasthan]] and [[Hariyana]]), the [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]] city, where the [[Pandavas]] were camped. When his army reached Kurujangala (the kingdom of the Pandavas, the modern-day [[Hariyana]]), [[Duryodhana]]'s men shrewedly intercepted the army. Without revealing their identity, they received Shalya and his men, made tents for them and refreshed them with all the comforts. By the time the truth surfaced, [[Shalya]] had already become indebted to battle for [[Duryodhana]]'s sake. Madra army had battled along with other armies of north-west including the [[Trigarta Kingdom|Trigartas]], the [[Kekeya Kingdom|Kekeyas]], the [[Gandhara Kingdom|Gandharas]], the [[Kamboja Kingdom|Kambojas]], the [[Yavana Kingdom|Yavanas]], the [[Shakas]] (''all these three armies had fought under General [[Sudakshina Kamboja]]''), the [[Sindhu Kingdom|Sindhus]], the [[Sauvira Kingdom|Sauviras]], the Amvasthas etc. King Shalya was the last Generalismo of the [[Kaurava]] army and was slain by [[Yudhisthira]] on the last day of the [[Kurukshetra war]].

In ''A Garfield Christmas Special'', he was voiced by [[David Lander]].

==Srimad Bhagavatam and the Madras==

Bhagvatam Purana attests that the prince of Madra along with princes from [[Matsya]], Usinara, [[Kosala]], Vidharbha, [[Kuru]], Srnjaya, [[Kamboja]], [[Kekaya]], Kunti, Anarta, [[Kerala]] was present at ''Samanta-pancaka'' at the occasion of the solar eclipse.<ref>

:Tatragataste dadrśuh suhrt-sambandhino nrpān

:Matsyośīnara-kauśalya-vidarbha-kuru-srnjayān

:Kamboja kaikayān madrān kuntīn ānarta-keralān

:Anyāmś caivātma-paksīyān parāmś ca śataśo nrpa

:Nandādīn suhrdo gopān gopīś cotkanthitāś ciram

(Srimad Bhagavatam 10.82.12-13)

:'''Trans''':

:The Yadavas saw that many of the kings who had arrived were old friends and relatives&mdash; the Matsyas, Uśīnaras, Kosalas, Vidarbhas, Kurus, Srnjayas, Kambojas, Kaikayas, Madras, Kuntis and the kings of Ānarta and Kerala. They also saw many hundreds of other kings, both allies and adversaries. In addition, my dear King Parīkṣit, they saw their dear friends Nanda Mahārāja and the cowherd men and women, who had been suffering in anxiety for so long. </ref> [http://vedabase.net/sb/10/82/12-13/en]

===Grandma===

==Valmiki Ramayana on the Madras==

[[Image:JonsGrandma.jpg|180px|thumb|left|Grandma]]

''Kishkindha Kanda'' of [[Valmiki]] [[Ramayana]] says that [[Sugriva]] had sent his persons to search [[Sita]] in various lands of the [[Uttarapatha]] including the Madras. Thus, Sugriva directs his detectives to search Sita in the countries of the Mlecchas, the Pulindas, the [[Surasena|Shurashenas]], the Prasthalas, the Bharatas, the [[Kurus]], the [[Madra|Madrakas]], the [[Kambojas]], the [[Yavana]]s along with the countries of the [[Shakas]] and the [[Paradas]] and also the [[Himalaya]]s.<ref>

Jon and Doc Boy's grandmother. She is a [[Harley-Davidson|Harley]]-riding, [[leather]]-wearing old lady who carves turkey with a chainsaw. She loves Jon, Garfield, and Odie, and occasionally makes appearances throughout the series. The most is revealed about her in Garfield's Christmas special, where it is revealed that her husband has died and she talks about her life with him. She is undoubtedly Garfield's favorite of Jon's family. In the strip, Grandma was originally depicted as a stereotypical elderly woman, wearing a shapeless, plain dark dress and her hair in a tight bun; her animated appearances outfit her as a more modern-looking woman. In ''[[A Garfield Christmas]] Special'' and ''[[Garfield's Thanksgiving]]'', she was voiced by [[Pat Carroll (actress)|Pat Carroll]]. She also appears as the DVD seller on the DVD store on the Garfield website.

:tatra mlecchan Pulindan cha Shurasenan tathaiva cha |

{{-}}

:prasthalan Bharatan caiva Kurum cha saha Madrakaih ||4-43-11||

:Kamboja Yavanaan caiva Shakan pattanani cha |

:anviikshya Paradan caiva himavantam vicinvatha ||4-43-12||

: (Ramayana 4.43.11-12).</ref>

===Lyman===

==Kautilya Arthashasta on the Madras==

[[Image:Ga790308.GIF|thumb|right|Lyman & Garfield.]]

Fourth century BCE [[Arthashastra]] of [[Kautiliya]] refers to the Madras as following republican constitution. It refers to Licchivika, Vrjika, [[Malla|Mallaka]], [[Madra|Madraka]], Kukura, [[Kuru]], and [[Panchala]] etc and labels them as ''Raja-shabd-opajivin'' class (i.e living by the title of Raja) while referring to the [[Kshatriya]] Shrenis (''warrior-bands'') of the [[Kambojas]] and [[Saurashtra|Surashtras]] it styles them as ''varta-shastr-opajivin'' class (i.e. living by the profession of arms and varta).<ref>

'''First Appearance:''' [http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?1978-ga780807 August 7, 1978]<br/>

'''Last Appearance:''' [http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?1988-ga880619 June 19, 1988]

:Kambhoja. Surastra.ksatriya.shreny.aadayovartta.shastra.upajiivinan ||4||

:Licchivika. Vrjika.Mallaka. Madraka.Kukura. Kuru.Panchala.aadayo raaja.sabda.upajiivinah||5||

: (Arthashastra 11.1.4-5)

'''Trans''':

Friend of Jon's who lived with him for a while and was the original owner of Odie. He first appeared on [[August 7]], [[1978]]. However, he disappeared from the comic on April 24, 1983 and his disappearance was never fully elaborated upon. His last appearance in the strip was a cameo on Garfield's 10th Birthday [[June 19]], [[1988]] where he appears in the title panel seated between Jon's Dad and Liz, he also appears in a flashback panel within the strip. Recently, Davis was forced to directly address the issue of 'What happened to Lyman?'. According to Davis, Lyman's original purpose was to be someone who Jon could actually talk to and express other ideas—a role more and more taken over by Garfield himself. Hence, he was removed without explanation. The closest thing Davis has ever given to explain his absence is "Don't look in Jon's basement". In the Web game [http://www.garfield.com/fungames/scavengerhunt/scavengerhunt.html "Scary Scavenger Hunt"], Lyman is shown chained onto the wall in the basement of a haunted mansion, as well as screaming in a bathtub upstairs (in a scene clearly referencing the "shower scene" in the film ''[[Psycho (1960 film)|Psycho]]''; even the screeching violins from the infamous scene are played here) and his head is also shown in a room under a blanket. In [http://www.garfield.com/fungames/scavengerhunt2/scavengerhunt2.html "Scary Scavenger Hunt 2"], his head is found inside the kitchen oven. This "in the basement" joke was revealed by Mr. Davis to not be entirely true. In an interview he mentioned that the real reason that Lyman disappeared was that he joined the [[Peace Corps]] and was never heard from again. Lyman has appeared on the Garfield website as the seller at the bookstore.

:The corporations of warriors (Kshattriya-sreni) of Kambhojas, and Surashtras, and other countries live by agriculture, trade and wielding weapons. The corporations of Lichchhivika, Vrijika, Mallaka, Madraka, Kukura, Kuru, Panchala and others live by the title of a Raja. (See: Kautiliya’s Arthashastra, 1966, para 378, p 407, Book Xi, Chapter 1, Dr Shamasatry).</ref>[http://www.mssu.edu/projectsouthasia/history/primarydocs/Arthashastra/BookXI.htm].

===Irma===

==Madras in Puranic literature==

'''First Appearance:''' [http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?1979-ga790609 June 9, 1979] (though not by name until [http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?1979-ga791019 October 19, 1979])

[[Vishnu Purana]] mentions the Madra along with Arama, [[Persians|Parasika]] and others.<ref>Second Anka, Ch 3.17.</ref> In [[Matsya Purana]], the Madras find mention with [[Gandhara]]s, [[Yavana]]s and others.<ref>Matsya Purana Ch 114.41.</ref> In the same Purana, a reference is also made to king Asvapati of [[Sakala]] in the country of Madra.<ref>op cit. Ch 208, S1.5.</ref>

[[Image:Ga070413.gif|480px|thumb|left|A strip featuring Irma]]

==Matrimonial customs of the Madras==

[[Mahabharata]] attests that it was a custom among the Madras to give their daughters in marriage on taking a fee (shulka). This was their family custom. [[Pandu]], the [[Kuru]] [[prince]] had also to pay fee for marrying Madri, the princess from Madra.<ref>Mahabharata, Adiparava, Ch 113</ref>

Waitress and owner of "Irma's Diner", a diner occasionally patronized by Jon and Garfield. Her first appearance was on [[October 19]], [[1979]]. The food, service, and mental stability of both Irma and her restaurant are all questionable. For instance, her idea of a "chicken surprise" is her coming up to the table wearing a rubber chicken mask and saying "SURPRISE!" She also referred to "your choice of [[potato]]es" as "cooked" and "raw." However, this may be attributed to her operating the diner 24 hours a day with no help (though in other comics, she is shown to speak to other diner employees). Although her main and most memorable appearances took place earlier in the strip, in 1999 she appeared (updated to match the most recent style of the strip), once again doing wacky things at the diner.

===Madra princesses were favored===

The beauty of Madra women, like those others from the [[Ordinal directions|northwest]] including the [[Kamboja]] was proverbial. Buddhist literature calls Madra-Desha as the store-house of beautiful ladies (''maddaratham nama itthagaro'') <ref>Ref: Theragatha Athahkatha Vol II, p 142: '''Like-wise, Buddhist Sanskrit Vinaya Text (Caitya-pradaksina-gatha), also especially notes the Kamboja for its beautiful maidens'''</ref> <ref>See: Glimpses of Ancient Panjab, 1966, p 32, Buddha Prakash; Journal and Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1927, p 209, Asiatic Society of Bengal; Foreign Trade and Commerce in Ancient India, 2003, p 73, Prakash Chandra Prasad; Political and Social Movements in Ancient Panjab (from the Vedic Age Upto [sic] the Maurya Period), 1964, p 112; Janapada State in Ancient India , 1973, p 61, Sudāmā Miśra.</ref>. The Madra women are characterized as "white" in the [[Mahabharata]] (VIII) <ref>Journal and Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1927, p 209, Asiatic Society of Bengal.</ref>. [[Buddhist]] [[Jataka]]s bear ample tesimony that Madra princesses were sought after in marriage by the great [[Kshatriya]] houses of northern and western India. ''Sumangala-Vilasini'' attests that the wife of a Chakravarti comes either from [[Uttarakuru]] or from the [[race]] of Madda (Madra).<ref>Sumagala Vilasini (P.T.S.), II.626.</ref> Bhadra, wife of Kalpana of Pippali Manavaka was a beautiful maiden from Madra. Pabhavati, a beautiful [[princess]] of Madra was married to prince Kusa, son of Okkaka, of [[Ikshvaku]] royal family of [[Benares]].<ref>Jataka (Cowel) Vol V, pp 146-147; Mahavastu Avadana.</ref> Even a prince of royal house of [[Kalinga]] in the far east sought the hand of a princess of Madra country as is attested by ''Kalinga Bodhi Jataka''.<ref>Jataka (Cowel) Vol V, pp 144-45.</ref> ''Chandata Jataka'' also attests that the royal houses of Madra and [[Benares]] were allied with each other through matrimony. According to [[Mahavamsa]], on the death of Sihabahu of Sinhapura (''Lala Rattha = Lata Rashtra = Latadesa = [[Gujarat]]''), his son Summita became king of Lata. He married a Madra princess by whom he had three sons.<ref>Mahavamsa, Trans Geiger, p 62.</ref> Khmema, one of the three [[Queen regnant|queen]]s of [[Bimbisara]] (reign 544-491 BCE), the ruler of the [[Magadha]] from the [[Haryanka]] [[dynasty]] was also a princess from the Madra [[clan]]. And of course, princess Madri, daughter of king [[Shalya]] of Madra was also married to [[Pandu]], the [[Kuru]] prince of [[Hastinapur]].<ref>Mahabharata, Adiparava, Ch 113</ref>

===Dr. Elizabeth Wilson===

==Uttaramadra-Uttarakuru-Parama Kamboja connections==

[[Image:LizWilson.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Dr. Liz Wilson]]

''Vamsa Brahamana''<ref>See: Vamsa Brahmana verse 1.18-19</ref> of the [[Sama Veda]] refers to one [[Rsi]] ''Madragara Shaungayani'' as the teacher of [[Aupamanyava Kamboja]]. As the name itself suggests, and as the scholars have rightly stated, Rsi Madragara Shaungayani belonged to Madra tribe.<ref>Dr Zimmer, Dr Keith & Macdonnel, Dr B. C. Law, Dr M. R. Singh etc</ref> Dr Keith and Dr Macdonnel, the authors of Vedic Index, as also Dr H Zimmer and numerous other scholars postulate a possible connection between the Madras i.e. the [[Uttaramadras]] and the ''Trans-Hindukush'' [[Kambojas]].<ref>Quoted in Vedic Index, p II, p 123; See also: The Indian Historical Quarterly, 1963, p 291; India in the Time of Patanjali, 1957, p 73, Dr Baij Nath Puri; India as Known to Pānini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashṭādhyāyī, 1953, p 49

Vasudeva Sharana Agrawala; Ancient India and South Indian History & Culture ...: Papers on Indian History and Culture, 1941, p 87; Journal and Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1927, p 208, (Asiatic Society of Bengal); Foreign Elements in Ancient Indian Society, 2nd Century BC to 7th Century AD, 1938, p 15, Uma Prasad; The Maha-Bodhi, p 495, Maha Bodhi Society, Calcutta; Geographical Data in the Early Purāṇas: A Critical Study, 1972, p 65, Dr M. R. Singh; Kashmir Affairs, India. Directorate of Public Relations; Some Ksatriya Tribes of Ancient India – 1975, p 231, Dr B. C Law; Journal and Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1923, p 258, )Asiatic Society of Bengal); Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, p202-03, Dr J. L. Kamboj; The Kambojas Through the Ages, 2005, p 25, S Kirpal Singh; Vedic Index of Names and Subjects, Vol I, Varanasi, 1962, Hindi Trans: Ram Kumar Rai, p 154.</ref>

'''First Appearance:''' [http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?1979-ga790626 June 26, 1979]

Since both these people were a close neighbors in the north-western part of ancient India, such connections were but natural.<ref>Some Kshatriya Tribes of Ancient India, p 232, Dr B. C. Law; Vedic Index, I, p 84-85, 138; India as Known to Panini, 1953, p 50, Dr V. S. Aggarwal; Geographical Data in Early Puranas, a Critical Study, pp 65, 164, Dr M. R. Singh, Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, pp 202-03, Dr J. L. Kamboj; The Maha-Bodhi, p 495, Maha Bodhi Society, Calcutta.</ref> According to Dr Jean Przylusky, the Bahlika ([[Balkh]]) was a settlement of the Madras who were known as ''Bahlika-Uttaramadras''.<ref>The Udumbras, Journal Asiatique, 1926, p 11, Jean Przylusky; See also: India as Known to Panini, 1953, p 50, Dr Aggarwal</ref>

Garfield's [[veterinarian]] and long-time crush of Jon Arbuckle. She occasionally dates him, but these outings always become disasters, and Liz herself has little regard for Jon. She vainly tries to make him understand that she is not interested, but Jon is persistent in his efforts. In one strip, she revealed she had a (possibly entirely fictional) boyfriend named Nick "The Mangler" Scarlotti; however, he has never been mentioned again. The two appeared to have fallen in love after Liz admitted that she liked Jon, which means Liz has become Jon's girlfriend. [http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?2006-ga060726] She first appeared on [[June 26]], [[1979]]. In the [[live-action]] [[film]]s, she became Jon Arbuckle's "[[girlfriend]]/[[partner]]". In animation, she was voiced by [[Julie Payne]]. On [[Garfield and Friends]], she appeared occasionally in the first two seasons only. In the live-action movies, she is played by [[Jennifer Love Hewitt]]. Her first television appearance was on [[Garfield Goes Hawaiian]]. Her last was on [[Arrivederci, Odie!]].

In his ''Harsha-Carita'', Sanskrit scholar Bana Bhatta, the court poet of king [[HARSHA VARDHANA|Harsha Vardhana]] of [[Thanesar]] makes reference to the horses from Kamboja. And the Commentator on Harsha-Carita in his commentary reveals to us that '''KAMBOJAH BAHLIKA DESAJAH''', i.e the Kambojas belonged to/originated from Bahlika-desa.<ref>Quoted by Dr H. W. Bailey in Ancient Kamboja, Iran and Islam, 1971, p 66</ref> This ancient evidence indicates that Bahlika (Bactria) (the land of Madras i.e the Uttaramadras) or its eastern parts may have formed parts of ancient [[Kamboja]], and that both these people were a close neighbors and possibly of an allied stock.

Jon and Liz shared their first true kiss on December 19, 1981, though Jon had previously managed to steal a kiss on October 6, 1979. In the past, Liz showed great dislike and little respect for Jon; her attempts to show him that she was not interested in him were generally futile, although she did deliver some pithy comments. During the week of her second appearance, Jon asked her what she would suggest for an animal who is madly in love (referring to himself), and Liz countered with "[[spaying and neutering|neutering]]." They didn't have a lasting relationship until after another kiss during slight dating fiasco on July 28, 2006. A third kiss was shared on September 3 of the same year.

''Atharvaveda-Parisita'' also juxtaposes the Kambojas with the Bahlikas (Madras) (i.e. Kamboja-Bahlika...).<ref>Athavaveda-Par, 57.2.5; cf Persica-9, 1980, p 106, Dr Michael Witzel; See also: [http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~witzel/Localisation.pdf]</ref>

From this point on, Liz has been Jon's girlfriend (she called him "Sweetie").

''[[Mahabharata]]'' too closely allies the [[Bahlikas]] and the Kambojas and further places them in alliance with [[Transoxiana]] [[Sakas]].<ref>

:''Shakah '''Kambojabahlika''' Yavanah Paradastatha''

: (MBH 7.98.13)

===Herman Post===

:''Kritavarma tu sahitah '''Kambojavarbahlikaih''' ''.

[[Image:HermanPost.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Herman Post]]

: (MBH 6.75.17; See also verse 2.27.23-23 etc)</ref>

Jon Arbuckle's [[mail carrier|mailman]]. Garfield constantly torments him by ripping off his pants and leaving him shredded and scratched, and he perpetually tries to find a way to deliver the mail safely, but almost never succeeding (although the mail always makes it). In ''Garfield and Friends'', the mailman was voiced by [[Gregg Berger]]. He first appeared on [[January 28]], [[1984]]. His first appearance on television was on [[Fair Exchange (Garfield and Friends)|Fair Exchange]]. His last was on [[Fill-in FELINE]]. In some of the comics, his [[hair]] is [[white]] instead of [[brown]].

{{-}}

== Neighbors ==

''[[Valmiki]] [[Ramayana]]'' also mentions the Kamboja and the Bahlika in the same breath.<ref>

:Kambhoja.vishhaye jatair Bahlikaishcha hayottamaih.

: (Ramayana I.6.22).</ref>

* '''Hubert and Reba''' are Jon's stereotypical "grumpy old neighbors." Hubert is mostly outside on his porch yelling "REBA!" when Garfield, Jon, Odie, and other characters are doing something crazy. Reba is mostly inside doing something unseen. In an earlier comic, Reba is called "Thelma." Their only Television appearance was on "''Here Comes Garfield.''"

''[[Aitareya Brahmana]]'' refers to the nations of [[Uttarapatha]] ([[Ordinal directions|northwest]]) and mentions the [[Uttaramadras]] and [[Uttarakurus]] as the tribes following a ''vairajiya'' (kingless) constitution. The same text also tells us that these nations lay beyond the [[Himalaya]] (i.e ''Parena himavantam'')<ref> Aitareya Brahmana VIII.14.</ref> where ''Himalaya'' here is said to refer to [[Pamir]]s/[[Hindukush]] ranges.<ref>Kumarasambhava I, 1; See also: Geographical Data in Ancient Purana, 1972, p 65, Dr M. R. Singh; Dr V. S. Aggarwala, thinks that Himalaya in Aitareya refers to [[Pamir]]s and he therefore locates the Uttarakurus on north of Pamirs: see: India as Known to Panini, p 61.</ref> It has been pointed out that the list of the northwestern nations referred to in the Aitreya Brahmana is illustrative only and, by no means, exhaustive since it does not mention other clans of the Trans-Himalayans like the Kambojas (i.e. [[Parama Kambojas]])/[[Rishikas]] etc who also had followed kingless ([[republic]]an) constitution and also were located beyond Himalayan.<ref>Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, p 266, Dr J. L. Kamboj; cf: Hindu Polity, A Constutional History of India in Hindu Times, 1978, p 78, Dr K. P. Jayaswal etc.</ref> ''It is also possible that the Kambojas may have been considered a part of the '''Uttaramadras/or the Uttarakurus''' and therefore, not mentioned separately in the Aitareya Brahmana list''.

* '''Mrs. Feeny''' is another neighbor, who has never appeared in the strip. Garfield routinely torments her, her little dog, and Mr. Feeny (who have never appeared as well) and as such Mrs. Feeny is always complaining to Jon about Garfield over the phone, or occasionally, vent her revenge on Jon. But, Garfield isn't always bitter to Mrs. Feeny. One year, he gave her a homemade hairball for Christmas. In one strip it is mentioned that Garfield once glued her dog to a cross town bus. When called on this, he raises his paw to swear, only to notice that his coffee cup has become attached to him. Another time Jon reported to Garfield, "Mrs. Feeney's little dog is missing again, and all those stamps I bought yesterday are gone, not to mention a box and some twine!" Garfield replied, "Take your time, it'll come to you."

*'''Ellen''' is a local woman whom Jon often tried to go out with. Of all of the women Jon calls for a date and ends up getting rejected, Ellen is the most common. She was introduced as a blind date for Jon [http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?1990-ga901109 November 9, 1990] After 16 years, Ellen finally dated Jon in the comic on [[July 17]], [[2006]] and appeared in person on [[July 20]], [[2006]] after Jon convinced her to go on a date because she had [[amnesia]] and couldn't remember how much she despised him.[http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?2006-ga060720] She was persuaded to go on a date with him, and on July 20th, 2006, the strip finally showed her as a blond woman with a striped dress. [http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?2006-ga060720] For years she never appeared in the strip, but many strips focused on Jon phoning Ellen asking for a date. She usually asked him sarcastically to do something very stupid first, before refusing. Once Jon received a restraining order from her on [[November 22]], [[1996]], but despite that has asked her out many times since then (to no success). Jon fell in love with Liz who admitted that she did like Jon - and Ellen, still having amnesia, went with the man that Liz initially dated that night.

== Family ==

The foregoing discussion suggests that in the remote antiquity ([[Vedic age]]), a settlement of the Madras was located in Bahlika (Bactria)--the western parts of the [[Oxus]] country. These Madras were, in fact, the Uttaramadras of the [[Aitareya Brahmana]] (VIII/14).<ref> In accordance with the above quoted refs of Dr J. Przyluski, Dr A. B. Keith, Dr I. A. Macdonnel, Dr V. S. Aggarwal, Dr M.R. Singh, Dr J. L. Kamboj etc</ref> This also indicates that there was a very close affinity between the Uttaramadras, Uttarakurus and the Parama Kambojas--- all lying beyond the Himavantan i.e Pamirs/Hindukush ranges. However, in 4th c BC, this Bahlika/Bactria came under [[Yavana]]/[[Ancient Greece|Greek]] political control and thus the land started to be referenced as ''Bahlika-Yavana'' in some of ancient [[Sanskrit]] texts.<ref>Brahamanda Purana, Upodghatppada 16.18; Purana, Vol V, No 2, July 1963, pp 355-359, Dr V. S. Aggarwala; Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, p 133, Dr J. L.Kamboj.</ref>

==Origin of Madras: traditional accounts==

[[Image:GarfieldsMom.jpg|130px|thumb|right|Garfield's mother, Sonja]]

According to another traditional account preserved in the [[Puranas]] and [[Mahabharata]] etc, king Yayati, the great grandson of ''Prurvasa Aila'' had five sons viz.: ''Yadu, Turvasa, Anu, Druhyu and Puru''. Pruravasa Aila was, in turn, the grandson of ''Vaivasta Manu'', the [[mythology|mythological]] [[ancestor]] of all royal families of the Indian traditions. The [[Lunar]] line of [[Kshatriya]] families of Indian traditions are believed to have originated from this ''Pruravasa Aila''.

*'''Sonja: Garfield's mother,''' Garfield's most influential family member. His mother is a stray, and he hardly sees her. But when they do meet, such as in the television special ''Garfield on the Town'' and a loose adaptation that ran in the strip in December [[1984]], she showers him with the love that she can rarely give. She also appeared in the television special ''Garfield: His 9 Lives'', and in the [[November 5]], 1994 strip, in which she's the only one watching Garfield's representation on the fence. [[Sandy Huge]] provided her voice in the specials.

*Garfield's '''grandfathers''' have both appeared. His maternal grandfather, Wilfrid, is a strict, demanding stray, who insists (with extreme futility, of course) that Garfield must become a mouser. His paternal grandfather, Garfield I, is a cynical, bitter and sarcastic character with a habit of telling long (and often completely made up) stories. He holds his grandson in mild contempt and threatens Jon with physical harm when he claims to see a family resemblance.

* Other [[relative]]s have included '''Uncle Harry''', '''Aunt Bernice''', '''Uncle Hubert''', '''Aunt Reba''', '''Uncle Barney''', '''Aunt Evelyn''', '''Uncle Nick''', '''Aunt Edna''', '''Uncle Roy''', '''Uncle Bob''', '''Uncle Morty''', Garfield’s [[brother]] '''Raoul''', and '''[[Cousin]] Sly'''. Most have been [[unseen characters]].

== Pests ==

These Puranic accounts indicate that the Madras, [[Usinara]]s and [[Kekaya]]s were the direct descendants of Yayati's son ''Anu''<ref> See: Bhagvatam Purana, 23.1-4.</ref> [http://www.bvml.org/books/SB/09/23.html].

[[Image:FloydMouse.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Floyd the Mouse from ''Garfield and Friends''.]]

* '''Mice''' - Jon's house is also inhabited by mice, Most of whom are unnamed, though one was named "Squeak" and anothe was named "Herman Vermin". The mice enjoy a quite full social life—to much annoyance of Jon. Garfield, however, cannot be bothered to chase them, and according to him they tend to either bribe or blackmail him to stay so. In the cartoon show, there was a significant mouse with a similar role named '''Floyd''', who could be told apart by the fact that he was drawn with oval eyes, like the other regulars, had a pink nose (an animation goof in "Good Mousekeeping" shows another mouse briefly with Floyd's nose), and was voiced by Gregg Berger. A running gag with Floyd was his annoyance with the fact that he didn't appear often (he often says he wishes he'd be on more than once a season; it's unclear whether Floyd really does only appear once a season).

* '''[[Spider]]s''' - also appear in the strip regularly. They sometimes walk around the house or dangle from the ceiling-or get squished by a newspaper wielded by Garfield. This, of course, leads to several attempts by the spiders to get back at Garfield, which are unsuccessful in most cases. Garfield does occasionally obtain help from the spiders, such as to get rid of an annoying fly. The spiders were initially drawn with six legs, although now they are generally drawn with eight.

* '''[[Flea]]s''' - have been important characters too. Once a flea [[nurse]] asked if Garfield would like to contribute for a [[blood drive]], but Garfield catches on. In a comic from 1989, the fleas are having a rowdy [[party]] on Garfield’s back. Garfield sprays [[bug spray]] on his back, but the fleas continue to party, making Garfield frustrated with the spray he used. The first week of fleas is in 1980, when Garfield gets them from Odie. When Garfield looked up fleas in the dictionary, it said, "flea (flē) n. a small [[wingless]],[[bloodsucking]] parasite… also see: [[brother-in-law]]."

== Household Appliances ==

Other scholars maintain that the Madras and other [[clan]]s like [[Anga]]s, [[Kalinga]]s, [[Sovira|Sauviras]], [[Kambojas]], [[Sindhu]]s and the [[Gandhara]]s were offshoots of the Anu [[tribe]] of the [[Rigveda]] [http://www1.shore.net/~india/ejvs/ejvs1005/ejvs1005article.pdf].

* Three household appliances in the comic are the '''talking bathroom scale''', the '''alarm clock''' and the '''TV'''. The three objects have quite different personalities: The scale, sometimes known as '''RX-2''', usually allows itself to be quite cynical and crude about Garfield's overweight state. But sometimes when it does so, it gets smashed or thrown into a trash can. A cover on one of the Garfield paperbacks show Garfield putting a toe on the scale and it heaving with agony. The clock usually retracts from ringing loud and waking Garfield, since he tends to smash it into pieces, and was once flushed down a toilet because it woke Garfield. The TV also speaks to Garfield by itself on occasion, usually trying to persuade Garfield into continuing to watch it or turning it off. Once, when Garfield fell asleep in front of the TV, the TV yelled at him to turn it off. On an episode of ''Garfield'' TV show there was a [[The Twilight Zone|Twilight Zone]]-like episode with Garfield trapped in the TV set.

Researchers like Dr J. L. Kamboj, on the other hand, infer that the Kambojas, Gandharas and some other tribes of [[Ordinal directions|northwest]] (including the Madras) may have descended from the Druhyu [[tribe]] of the [[Rigveda]].<ref>Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, p 23, Dr J. L. Kamboj</ref>

== Television personalities==

Broadly speaking, these ancient traditions indicate that Anu was the author of Anu clan (Anavas), Yadu of the Yadava clan, Turvasa of the [[Yavana]] and Turushaka clans, [[Puru]] of the [[Paurava]]/[[Kaurava]] clans and Druhyu of the clans like the [[Gandhara]]s and other frontier clans of the north-west like [[Kambojas]], Madras etc.

[[Image:Binky.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Binky the Clown]]

* '''Binky the Clown''' is a television personality noted for his extremely loud and piercing greetings, most notably "HEEEEEEEY, KIDS!" He was first mentioned on March, 13, 1985 in the comic strips.[http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?1985-ga850313]In ''[[Garfield's Halloween Adventure]]'', the character made his first animated appearance and was given a voice. Binky was first seen in the comics on September 15, 1986[http://www.garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?1986-ga860915]. On ''Garfield and Friends'', Binky became more of a regular, and would modify his greeting to suit who it was he was greeting, such as "HEEEEEEEY, CAT!" He also had his own segment on the show during the second and third seasons, called ''Screaming With Binky'', in which he showed up in the midst of a certain activity and performed his trademark greeting, ruining said activity. Most of these segments were cut in syndication, but have been restored for the DVD releases. Like Jon, Binky was voiced by Thom Huge. His first television appearance was on [[Peace and Quiet]]. His last: [[The Feline Philosopher]].

*'''Uncle Roy''' is another television personality and the [[rival]] of Binky. He remains an [[unseen character]].

== Toys ==

However, ''it is very difficult to speak with confidence about these traditional accounts''.

[[Image:Stretchthechicken.gif|480px|thumb|right|A Stretch strip]]

*'''Stretch'''

**First appearance: [http://garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?1984-ga840619 June 19, 1984]; acquired his name the next day.

**Last appearance: [http://garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?2000-ga001231 December 31, 2000]

**''Stretch'' is Garfield's rubber chicken, who was given to Garfield on his 6th birthday. It only appeared for a week after, yet makes cameo appearances from time to time, mainly used as a weapon against Jon. Stretch was last seen on [[December 31]] [[2000]].

*A recurring plot in the strip is Garfield eating Jon's various '''pet fish''', which causes Jon to get mad. In an attempt to prevent Garfield from eating his second pet fish one week, he lets Garfield name it. Ironically, '''Second Helping''' (the fish Garfield named) lasted to the end of the strip, an event very rare in a Garfield comic. Another time, he named a fish '''Sushi'''. It is mentioned that Jon owned 323 fish. Garfield thought it was 321, but then remembered that "two died of natural causes".

== Objects thrown at Garfield ==

==Maukharis descent from the Madras?==

The [[Maukhari]] [[dynasty]] which ruled in the 5th century CE in the neighborhood of Gaya ([[Bihar]]) claims their descent from king Asvapati of [[Sakala]] of Madra country of central [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]] in northwest India. Their name is also referred to by [[Panini]] in his [[Ashtadhyayi]]. There is a seal belonging to Maukhari family of the [[Mauryan]] period. An inscription dated 239 CE found in [[Kotah]] state refers to a military General from Maukhari family. There are four inscriptions engraved on stone ''yupas'' which show indicates there were many Maukhari families in Rajasthan in 3rd century CE.<ref>History and Culture of Indian People, The Classical Age, p 67, (Ed) Dr R. C. Majumdar, Dr A. D. Pusalkar; Ancient India, 2003, p 597, Dr V. D. Mahajan.</ref> It is therefore possible that the Maukharis were a [[clan]] of the Madras; and like the [[Kambojas]], they may also have been migrating and widely spreading over northern India.

[[Image:SPLUT!.jpg|thumb|right|An example of a SPLUT! hitting Garfield in the face]]

==Madras pay taxes to the Guptas==

*'''The SPLUT!s''' are slapstick-comedy flying pies which strike Garfield on random occasions, making the sound "SPLUT!" when they hit. Typically the Spluts are used for shock humor or as a running gag ('''Garfield'': ''(checks the calendar)'' "Yep... it's 'Splut week.'"). The SPLUT!s have not appeared in the strip for several years, however.

The Madras and several other [[republic]]s of northern and north-western India including the Arjunayans, Sivis, Malavas, Kunindas, Kulutas, Audumbras, [[Kambojas]], [[Yaudheyas]] etc were vanquished, subjugated or else destroyed by the Gupta rulers (4th century CE). There is evidence of Madras paying taxes to Gupta king [[Samudragupta]], as we learn from the fact that latter's imperious commands were fully gratified by the Madras and others giving all kinds of taxes and obeying his orders and coming to perform obeisance.<ref>Corpus Inscripionum Indicarum, Vol III, p 14, Gupta Inscripions, Texts and Translations</ref>

*'''Garfield's Fence Hecklers''' are usually known to be [[unseen characters]]. The very first strip to show Garfield on a fence had an irate old man in a nightshirt toss an alarm clock. However, in later strips, many of the (normally unseen) throwers are implied to be dogs. Sometimes, Garfield is hit with a SPLUT! while on the fence.

== Food ==

==Madra and the Pala dynasty of Bengal==

It appears that the kingdom of Madra continued till the 9th century when we find the Madras as the allies of [[Dharamapala]] (770-810) of the [[Pala Empire|Pala Dynasty]] of Bengal who, with the connivance of the Madras and other northern powers, had dethroned Indraraja of [[Kanauj|Kanauja]] and placed Chakrayudha on the throne.<ref> Early History of India, p 308, Dr V. A. Smith; Some Kshatriya Tribes of Ancient India, p 229, Dr B. C. Law.</ref> It is also held by some that Dharamapala had seized the lands of [[Bhoja]], [[Matsya]], Madra, [[Kuru]], [[Yadu]], [[Yavana]], [[Avanti]], [[Gandhara]], and Kira. Interesting that there is no mention of [[Kamboja]]s in the above list but it seems that the term Gandhara or Yavana itself included the Kamboja as well. This is because little later, king Devapala (810—850), son of Dharamapala, had an encounter with the [[Hunas]] in north and then with the Kambojas in the north-west as is amply attested by the ''Monghyr Charter'' of Devapala.<ref>Kambojesu cha yasya vajiyuvbhih…kaantashichran dikhanitah verse 11:, see Epigraphia Indica Vol XVII., p 296; Ancient Kamboja People and the Country, 1981, p 311.</ref>

*The '''contents of Jon's fridge''' have been left alone for so long that many of them have evolved into sinister intelligent lifeforms. The most sinister of all was the '''Mystery Meat''', which attempted to embark on a plan for world domination. Some were not sinister or intelligent, and simply became life forms (Bacon grazing on lettuce, etc.)

==Madras vs Medes==

* When dieting, Garfield often has [[hallucination]]s. One common [[hallucination]] features '''walking food''' which encourages Garfield to eat it.

Many scholars also identify the [[Medes]] (''Madai'') as a branch of the Madra tribes <ref>See: Aryan Invasion Debate, Aditya Prakashan, New Delhi, Dr Koenraad Elst; Journal and Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1927, p 205, Sqq., Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1927; Iran League Quarterly, XIX (1948—1949), 50; Haryana: Studies in History and Politics -1976, p 31, edited by J. N. Singh Yadav; Literary History of Ancient India in Relation to Its Racial and Linguistic Affiliations, 1952, p 11, Dr Chandra Chakraberty; Political and Social Movements in Ancient Panjab (from the Vedic Age Upto [sic] the Maurya Period) 1964, p 108, Dr Buddha Prakash; Glimpses of Ancient Panjab – 1966, p 32, Buddha Prakash; Evolution of Heroic Tradition in Ancient Panjab – 1971, p 53, Dr Buddha Prakash; Saṃskr̥ta Dig-vijaya, 1985, p 19, Dr Suniti Kumar Chatterji; Revue de l'histoire des religions, 1940, p 89, Paul Alphandéry; The Indian Historical Quarterly, 1963, pp 131, 185, 214, 730, 885, 185; Indo-Aryan Controversy: Evidence and Inference in Indian History -2005, p 338, Laurie L. Patton, Edwin Bryant;

Journal of the Asiatic Society – 1961, p 131, Asiatic Society (Calcutta, India), Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal; In Quest of World-culture: Suniti Kumar Chatterji, 1977, [65, Surajit Das Gupta; Early History of Rajasthan -1978, p 38, Dinesh Chandra Shukla, Dineśa Candra Śukla; Journal and Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1927, p 208, Asiatic Society of Bengal; Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1925, p 250ff (Medes and Madras); Journal of the Asiatic Society – 1961, p 129, Asiatic Society (Calcutta, India), Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal;

The Indo-European Homeland, The Rigveda, A Historical Analysis, Aditya Prakashan, New Delhi, Chapter 6,7, Shrikant G. Talageri [http://www.voi.org/books/rig/ch7.htm]. It is notable that Madha/Madhe and Mande are the clan names among the modern Kambojs of north-India, which may imply some remote affinity with the Madras/Medes.</ref>, while some identify Media (Medes) with Uttaramadra referenced in the Aitreya Brahamana <ref>The Indian Historical Quarterly, 1963, p 131; Literary History of Ancient India in Relation to Its Racial and Linguistic Affiliations, 1952, p 11, Dr Chandra Chakraberty.</ref>. Similarly, the Persian Achamenedae are also believed to be an offshoot from the Scythianised Kuru-Kamboja hordes, who outpoured from Kambysene of ancient Armenia <ref>Dr Chandra Chakravarty regards the Kambojas as a branch of the ''Scythian Kambysene'' from ancient [[Armenia]] (See: Literary History of Ancient India in Relation to Its Racial and Linguistic Affiliations, 1952, p 165,149, 37). Dr Chakravarty further regards the [[Achaemenid]]s as outcome of the [[Scythian]] ''Kuru-Kamboja'' mixture with the Alpine Puru-Khattis (''Parsa Xsayatia'')). The Kambysene Scythians (Kuru-Kambojas), mixed with other [[Caspian]] [[Saka]]s, invaded [[Persia]] several centuries prior to [[Christian]] era and got mixed with the Alpine Parsa Xsayathya (Puru-Khattis) settled in Susa, thus giving rise to the well known Achaemenidae (See: Racial History of India, p 158; Literary History of Ancient India in Relation to Its Racial and Linguistic Affiliations, 1952, p 11/37/148, 165; Paradise of Gods, 1966, p 330, prof Qamarud Din Ahmed). But according to other view, the Kambojas probably moved from [[Bactria]] to north-west [[Iran]] and then to its south-west under circumstances and time-frame still unknown to history.</ref> <ref>Dr Michael Witzel wrote somewhere: 'The Old Persian -s-(as in < ''asa'' 'horse') <*śś <śv <c'v <Indo-European k'w, shares the development of Indo-Iranian c'v > śś with [[Saka]] -śś-, while the rest of Iranian has -sp- (''aspa'') and [[Vedic Sanskrit|Vedic]] has -śv- (''Aśva''). This feature and others (cf. further grammatical features in Witzel 1989, Ch 10) may point to an ultimately ''north-eastern'' (Bactria?) rather than north-western (Urartu/Median) origin of the Old Persian and thus to a ''track of immigration from the North-east via Media to the Persis'', somewhat like Nichols' (1997-98) 'southern trajectory'. A North-eastern origin would be close to the ___location of the Vedic Parśu.</ref> <ref>If the Madras were Medes as some modern scholars have suggested, then the Achaemenidae/Parśus may have been an off-shoot from the Bahlika-Kambojas or vice-versa. Seeing close connections of the Kambojas ([[Parama-Kambojas]]), the Madras (Bahlika-Madras or [[Uttaramadras]]) and the Kurus ([[Uttarakurus]]) which tribes were all located in/around [[Oxus]] in [[Central Asia]] in remote antiquity, it can be thought that [[the Kurus]], the [[Kambojas]] and the [[Persian people|Parśus]] were a related people. This may also prove as to why the great kings of [[Achaemenid]] Parśu dynasty have used names like '''Kurush''' (Greek [[Cyrus]]) and '''Kambujiya''' or perhaps '''Kambaujiya''' (Greek [[Cambyses]]) as their '''personal''' names. (See [[Cambyses]], [[Kamboja]], [[Kamboj]], [[Kamboja Kingdom]] and [[Kambojas]]).</ref> <ref>James Hope Moulton writes: “The names Kuru and Kamboja are of disputed etymology, but there is no reason whatever to doubt their being Aryan. I do not think there has been any suggestion more attractive than that made long ago by Spiegel (Altpers. Keilinsch.'-, 96) that they attach themselves to [[Sanskrit]] Kura and Kamboja, originally Aryan heroes of the fable, whose names were naturally revived in a royal house. Spiegel thinks that the myths about [[Cyrus]] may have originated in confusion between the historical and the mythical heroes. (Kamboja is a geographical name, and so is Kuru often: hence their appearance in Iranian similarly to-day as Kur and Kamoj)" (Early Zoroastrianism , 2005, Page 45, James Hope Moulton - Kessinger Publishing).

</ref>.

==References Friends ==

<references />

*'''Wheezer''' is Jon's old school friend. He calls Jon "Carp Face". Wheezer visited Jon at his house [[April 23]], [[1990]] through [[April 29]], [[1990]]. He asked Jon if he remembers the "Reptile", which is a dance they did together on the floor. Wheezer and Jon did silly noises like Booga, Honk, Whoop, Yadda, Wheedie, Ooga, Nyahh, and Hoogie. Later in the comic, Jon saw Wheezer at his high-school reunion. Wheezer often brings up embarrising moments in Jon's high school career at the wrong time. While Jon was talking to the girl of his dreams, Wheezer yells "HEY CARPFACE!" and brings up the memory of Jon blowing his nose on the American flag. He also stole Jon's pants at the reunion and threw them into the girls' locker room.

==See also==

* '''Aunt Gussie''' is Jon's aunt. She first appeared [[August 14]] through [[August 15]], [[1981]], [[baby-sitting]] Garfield while Jon took a vacation. She didn't know Garfield left. She later appeared on [[November 8]] through [[November 12]] [[1983]], when she became mean and had glasses. She was supposed to baby-sit Garfield on the week of [[April 25]], [[1988]] while Jon was having his [[tonsils]] removed, but she did not show up. She has a crush on [[John Travolta]].

*[[Uttaramadras]]

* '''Mrs. Lillian''' is an extremely near-sighted old lady, who Jon has hired as a pet sitter to go out on a date with Liz. First Appearance: [http://garfield.com/comics/comics_archives_strip.html?2007-ga070327 March 27, 2007] In one of her comic strips, she mistakes an orange, and a pineapple for Garfield and Odie.

*[[Uttarakurus]]

*[[Kamboja]]

*[[Kambojas]]

*[[Parama Kambojas]]

*[[Madrak]]

===Animals===

{{HinduMythology}}

*A recurring plot in the strip is Garfield eating Jon's various '''pet fish''', which causes Jon to get mad. In an attempt to prevent Garfield from eating his second pet fish one week, he lets Garfield name it. Ironically,''' Second Helping''' (the fish Garfield named) lasted to the end of the strip, an event very rare in a Garfield comic. Another time, he named a fish '''Sushi'''. It is mentioned that Jon owned 323 fish. Garfield thought it was 321, but then remembered that "two died of natural causes".

*A '''big, vicious dog''' often enjoys barking at Garfield. His rear end is rarely seen. He is almost always seen next to a "Beware of Dog" sign. Garfield isn't usually afraid of this dog, and makes fun of him and even chats with him. Once in a while, he'll be afraid of him. There are several regular "Beware of Dog" dogs; the main one has either brown or blue fur.

* '''Biff''' was Garfield's colleague intern that he taught how to be a good cat -according to Garfield's standards.

* A '''little chick''' that looks up to Garfield and calls him "Daddy" (it was originally "Mommy" until Garfield explained to the little guy what gender was). He is a nuisance to Garfield who, oddly enough, is reluctant to eat the little guy (for some strange reason, the thought just never crossed his mind). The chick doesn't like lasagna. At the end of the week long strips, Garfield has a tear rolling down his eye.

* '''Snails''' have been in the strip more recently (in the 2000’s). The strips feature Garfield asking questions about snails.

* '''Guido and Fluffy''' were a cat and dog who help Garfield escape from the city [[animal shelter|pound]] in a comic strip of January 1981.

* '''Lyle''' is Garfield's pet ant. Garfield later squashed him for eyeballing his lasagna.

* '''Loretta''' is one of the Mouse's sisters. Garfield was going to fight her. When the Mouse called her name, Garfield didn't want to fight her. She was a Giant Mouse.

* Garfield loves to eat '''sparrows''', and has many attempts to catch them (most of the time failing), most notably his "barbecue bird bath" and his various bird disguises.

* There's occasionally a dog who usually pops up at the final panel of a strip and harming Garfield in the process, always exclaiming, '''"____ DOOOGGGG!"''' with the blank word being his way of entrance. He is dressed in a pilot's cap, a cape, and a shirt that reads the initials of his name, which varies between his appearances. Examples include, "Trapdoor Dog", "Slingshot Dog", and "Bungee Dog".

* '''Herbie''' was Jon's pet frog, but was later inevitably eaten by Garfield. He appeared in 1980. In a October 30, 1994 strip, all of the pets Garfield ate were in one of Garfield's nightmares. Herbie is there underneath a white blanket that represents a ghost. He has never been heard from again.

===Miscellaneous===

[[Category:Ancient peoples]]

*'''The Caped Avenger''' is Garfield's alter ego, a [[superhero]] who fights with only a cape (his blanket). He once had a sidekick named Slurp, (Odie) and also once lost his blanket and became the "Paisley Avenger." Some early strips show his superhero name as "Freedom Fighter". In one episode he refers to Jon as his archnemesis "The Infamous Doctor Dweeb".

[[Category:Ethnic groups in India]]

* A '''tree''' is always trying to encourage Garfield to climb him, always ending in Garfield falling for its "same old lies". In the beginning, he sits on a tree branch, but more recently finds himself gripping the branch by his front paws and dangling. Once while stuck up a tree, he meets a cat named Ed who was raised by squirrels and had never walked on the ground before.

[[Category:Mahabharata epic]]

* '''Mondays''' are another nemesis of Garfield's. Often, they are shown off-panel but causing things to happen in-panel (such as throwing a pie at Garfield). When they are shown, they are drawn as ugly monsters. The most prominent theme was "The Monday That Wouldn't Die", in which every day in the month after a certain Monday was also Monday.

* '''[[Santa Claus]]''' is portrayed as a real, rather than fictional, character in the Garfield strip. This is a rarity as most newspaper comics do not show Santa as someone who actually exists. Belief in Santa is unquestioned, both Garfield and Jon believe in him and Garfield has witnessed him flying in his sleigh, coming down the chimney, and distributing presents. Somehow despite all of the trouble that Garfield gets into he remains on Santa's nice list. On Garfield's first Christmas Eve (December 24, 1978), he received 20 pounds of lasagna, a request which Santa notes nobody else in the world asked for.

* '''The Stump''' is where Garfield once went in August 8 to August 14, 1982.He heard strange noises in the stump. Garfield threw a stone in the stump and a bone came out. Garfield saw that a mouse live in the Stump. Garfield was about to attack the mouse for scaring him, But was attacked by the mouse's pet human,Guido. When Garfield left he heard the noises Guido made in his bed and food dish.

* '''The Sludge Monster''' is a monster made of mudlike goo. He is never seen in the comics, but Jon and Liz often go out to see "Sludge Monster" movies at theatres. The Garfield cartoon "[[Sludge Monster]]" is all about him. The creepy motel owner calls him "Maurice." There is a song about him that Jon sings to Garfield and Odie. He is only seen at the end of that episode and suggests the motel needs cable TV. There is a huge amount of Sludge Monster movies in the comics.

* '''Vermin Man''' is a character that was mentioned in Garfield comic strip in April 25,1980.He Starred in a Movie called "The Sluge Monster meets Vermin Man" when Jon took Liz on a date to a Drive in Theater.

* '''Garfield's conscience''' is an entity whose job is to "make you feel bad about the things that make you feel good." He is described as resembling "everyone's mother." When not working, he shares Garfield's sense of humour. He told Garfield to back up a little, and Garfield fell of the table. He is quite annoying, to the point that Garfield bottled him. Jon unfortunately took the cork out, wherupon he was told to "get a haircut". He has been shown as Garfield's bed, food dish, clock and a bottle. The cricket from television may be one of his forms, or a different conscience.

* '''[Yarn]''' is also a character Garfield can “think” too. The yarn talks back to Garfield, although it is not a hallucination. The first one talked January 19, 2001. The yarn humor has included the yarn shampooing itself, going in a hot tub and shrinking, and Garfield taking it for a walk (which let itself loose).

* '''The sock''' is another superhero alter-ego of Garfield. His sidekick Stinky (Odie with smelly socks) is shown to be worst as Garfield can realise.

* '''Clive''' is Garfield's invisible friend. He is another way through which Garfield plays pranks on and irritates Jon and Odie.

==Television series only==

{{main|Garfield and Friends}}

===Cactus Jake===

[[Image:CactusJake.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Cactus Jake]]

'''Cactus Jake''' is the foreman of the Polecat Flats ranch, and a friend of Jon. He was seen only in the TV series and had a habit of saying Garfield's name wrong. Whenever Garfield wore a cowboy outfit, Jake always believed that he really was a cowboy named "Shorty" (Jon would always recognize "Shorty" as Garfield, however). Jake's voice was provided by [[Pat Buttram]]. First appeardd: [[Polecat Flats]]. Last appeared: [[The Multiple Choice Cartoon]]. Last appearance (mentioned): [[Stairway to Stardom]].

===Dr. Garbanzo Bean===

[[Image:Garbanzobean.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Dr. Garbanzo Bean]]

'''Dr. Garbanzo Bean''' is a [[mad scientist]] who invented a mechanical Odie dubbed the "Robodie." This proved popular enough for him to return in a sequel, appropriately enough called "Robodie 2." He was voiced by [[Frank Welker]].

===Al G. Swindler===

[[Image:AlGSwindler.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Al G. Swindler]]

'''Al G. Swindler''' is, as his name suggests, a [[swindler|Confidence trick]], often conning Jon whenever he can, not to mention mispronouncing his last name. He only appeared in the TV series, usually getting outsmarted by Garfield shortly after tricking Jon enough times, and at the end of the episodes he was in, he would usually say, "It's getting tougher and tougher to make an honest buck these days." He was voiced by [[Carl Ballantine]]. He first appered on the episode Lemon Aid.

===The Buddy Bears===

[[Image:BuddyBears.jpg|180px|thumb|right|The Buddy Bears]]

'''The Buddy Bears''' are a trio of annoying singing bear cubs who encourage viewers to "always agree with the group" (similar to ''[[The Get-Along Gang]]''). Their names are '''Bobby''', '''Billy''', and '''Bertie'''. In the episode "5 Minute Warning" the DVD subtitles mistakenly gave Bertie's name as Brady. The only disagreement they've ever had was over pizza toppings, which supposedly no one can agree on. Their show once replaced Binky's, and Roy Rooster from ''[[U.S. Acres]]'' has twice been stuck as their fall guy. Garfield has remarked that he "hates Buddy Bear episodes". In the episode "The Garfield Opera", the bears' full names are revealed to be '''Robert,''' '''William,''' and '''Bertram''' respectively. In one episode, they are accompanied by their sister, '''Betty Buddy Bear.''' In another episode, the Buddy Bears are hired to provide factual explanations for everything Garfield does, i.e., appearing spontaneously to say "Bananas are a very good source of potassium" when Garfield mentions bananas. Eventually Garfield tricks them into leaving by asking them about "gazorninplats," which they know nothing about (since Garfield made it up), and, admitting defeat, they leave. The trick backfires, however, when a TV producer notifies Garfield that he is so taken with the name "Gazorninplat" that he is going to replace Garfield's show with new Gazorninplat show. They first appeared on [[Binky Gets Cancelled, Again!]].

===Madman Murray===

[[Image:MadManMurray.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Madman Murray]]

'''Madman Murray''' is a caricature of the type of ecstatic salesmen seen advertising used cars on television. Somewhat like Swindler, Madman is continually conning Jon out of his money. However, Madman's appearances on the show do not typically end with Garfield outsmarting him. He is voiced by [[Gregg Berger]]. His cartoons were [[Guarenteed Trouble]], [[Rolling Romance]], [[Jumping Jon]] ([[cameo]]) and [[Madman Meets His Match]].

===Mr. Burnside===

[[Image:Mr. Burnside.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Mr. Burnside]]

'''Mr. Burnside''' is Jon's next-door neighbor, who is constantly annoyed by Garfield stealing his food. Early on in the sixth season, he was pushed so far as to rent his house out. Shortly after moving, Burnside found out that without Garfield stealing his food, he and his wife were getting overweight, so they agreed to move back. He is voiced by [[Gregg Berger]].

===Penelope Pussycat===

[[Image:PenelopeCat.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Penelope]]

'''Penelope Pussycat''' served as another love interest for Garfield, appearing only in the show's last three seasons, quickly becoming a regular even with only three episodes being labeled by their titles as "Penelope episodes". She lives in an Italian restaurant, which is no doubt the main reason that Garfield goes out with her. The fact that Garfield enjoys eating more than being with her annoys Penelope, but she willingly goes out with him anyway, because as she says, "It doesn't matter what we do so long as we do it together." She is voiced by [[Victoria Jackson]]. Penelope was not a character creation by Jim Davis or 'Garfield & Friends' writer, Mark Evanier. Penelope was a conception of Dallas, TX resident and Garfield fanatic by the name of Chris Miller. Penelope was included as part of a spoof newspaper submission to Paws Inc in 1989. Because Miller did not have his creation copyrighted or trademarked, Penelope was fair use for the Garfield shows. Another character of Miller's named "Gwendolyn" appeared in an episode of the series.

===Ludlow===

[[Image:LudlowSparrow.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Ludlow]]

'''Ludlow''' is a young [[sparrow]] who appeared during the last two seasons, and who sounded somewhat like [[Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy|Augie Doggy]]. Being young and impressionable, he believes that Garfield is his friend, and as a result, Garfield cannot bring himself to eat him. Ludlow's dad distrusts cats, and therefore is aggressive to Garfield. He was voiced by [[Don Messick]]. His cartoons were [[Sweet Tweet Treat]] and [[Catch as Cats Can't]].

===The Singing Ants===

[[Image:SingingAnts.jpg|180px|thumb|right|The Singing Ants]]

'''The Singing Ants''' are a group of [[black ants]] who showed up to ruin Jon's picnic in the season five episode "The Picnic Panic". They are referred to as the Singing Ants because they make their appearance announcing what they do, which is to steal food from picnics, by way of song ("we're the ants who ruin your dinner"). The ants proved to be so popular with viewers that two seasons later, the ants reappeared in the aptly-titled "Another Ant Episode". This time, though, they were red ants, and they had come to steal all the food in Jon's house. At the end of their second episode, Jon's house was destroyed by the exterminator, Mr. Leo Crater's robot. The ants sang "We'll be back after you rebuild here, cause by then it'll be time for a Third Ant Episode". But because of the show's cancellation, there never was a third one. They also made a cameo in "A Vacation From His Senses". The Ants are perhaps the only antagonistic characters whom Garfield cannot succeed in outsmarting.

===Ichabod Cricket===

[[Image:Ichabodcricket.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Ichabod]]|

'''Ichabod Cricket''' served as Garfield's conscience in the ''Garfield and Friends'' episode, "A Matter of Conscience", based on [[Pinocchio (1940 film)|Pinocchio]]. Throughout the episode Garfield was annoyed by the cricket, and at the end of the episode Garfield squahed him. Garfield said the cricket was in the original book, but not in the Disney film (referencing the fact that Jiminy Cricket was not in the book, but was in the Disney film). Later after Ichabod left Garfield, he went on to make sound effects (he did cricket chirps). He showed up in the next episode, "Half-Baked Alaska", as [[Jon Arbuckle|Jon's]] conscience. He told Jon to dump [[salad]] on his head, spill [[lasagna]] on the fat guy's (Jon's boss) lap, and hit the cartoonist in the face with a cake. The end of the episode features Garfield, Jon, and Odie chasing the cricket, because he told Jon to give him all his money.

===Esmeralda===

'''Esmeralda''' is a clumsy [[fairy godmother]] that grants wishes to [[cats]] and dogs. Appering in the episode, “[[The Fairy Dogmother]]”, she granted Odie’s wish to go to the Hound Dog Harvest. Later she appered on the episode, “Dogmother II”, when Garfield wished he could get revenge on Rootie the Dog. She forgot what Garfield wished for, so she granted whatever anyone in the Arbuckle house wanted. For example, Jon sings “I wish I were in Dixieland, hooray, hooray”, and he was, only to find himself without anything but a shower cap on. He is arrested and he wished he was back home, and he was, in his bed. Later, Esmeralda’s boss told her she did a good job on the wish Garfield wanted, so right before Garfield is going to drop a 1956 [[Studebaker]] on Rootie, nothing happens, making Rootie chase him. These two episodes were called A Garfield [[Fairy Tale]].

===A Large Bully Cat===

'''A Large Bully Cat''' is shown on several episodes of Garfield and Friends. This cat is often with a female cat that Garfield falls in love with, and the cat often beats Garfield up. Some examples are Bonzo from Beach Blanket Bonzo and Brick from The Idol of Id and The Perils of Penelope.

{{Garfield}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Garfield}}

[[Category:Comics characters]]

[[Category:Animated characters]]

[[Category:Garfield characters]]

[[Category:Lists of fictional characters by work]]