Ajatshatru Kunik Diwakar Chitrakatha 026

Author(s): Tarunmuni, Shreechand Surana
Publisher: Mahavir Seva Trust Mumbai
Catalog link: https://jainqq.org/explore/006626/1

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A Mahavir Seva Trust Presentation
DIWAKAR CHITRA KATHA
Aliatshatru Kun
Vol. 26 Rs. 25.00
Personen is only

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AJATSHATRU KUNIK
Man's needs are very limited but his desires are unlimited. Even with all physical comforts at his command, he continues to be driven by ambitions. As a consequence he faces hardships and invites anguish, anxiety, and stress. When desires expand they become ambitions. The spark of ambition could be traced at the root of every war, bloodshed, murder, struggle, and conspiracy prevailing in the world. A man driven by ambition is devoid of feelings of religion, morality, love, fraternity and even normal human emotions.
The name of Ajatshatru Kunik, the son of King Shrenik Bimbsar of Magadh, finds mention in Indian history as a highly ambitious emperor who reigned some 2500 years back. He was highly impressed by the life and preaching of Bhagavan Mahavir. He even had a high degree of reverence for and faith in Bhagavan Mahavir. But the history he created under the overpowering drive of his unbridled desires presents him as a ruler with excessive imperialistic ambitions. In Jain literature he is mentioned as Ashokchandra Kunik and in Buddhist literature as Ajatshatru Kunik. Driven by his ambitions Ajatshatru fought wars against his own brothers and not only destroyed a divinely beautiful city like Vaishali but also colored it crimson with blood. For this dastardly deed Bhagavan Mahavir negated all his pretensious religious worship and made him aware of his next hellish life.
In this story incidents from the life of Ajatshatru have been compiled from various Jain sources. This biographical sketch inspires the reader to control his desires and ambitions.
The author of the script is Shri Tarun Muni ji, the disciple of Up-pravartak Shri Amarmuniji M., the disciple of Uttar Bharatiya Pravartak Bhandari Shri Padmachandra ji M.
- Srichand Surana Saras"
Written by: Shri Tarun Muniji
Managing Editors: Dr. Mansukhbhai Jain, Sanjay Surana
Compilation: Srichand Surana 'Saras'
English Translation: Surendra Bothara
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Priyamvada! This child is ominous. In the form of a son he is the enemy of the King. Take him away and throw him on some distant garbage heap. I don't want to see his face.
84-1-4-98
TSHATRU KUNIK

It was the last quarter of the night. Surrounded by beautiful gardens at the foot of Vaibhargiri hills, Queen Chelna's palace was filled with unusual activity. The maids were rushing around. The queen had just given birth to a son. She became nervous the moment she saw the face of the new born. She called her maid
The maid followed the queen's instructions. She left the child on a garbage heap at the back of the palace. As she turned to leave, King Shrenik arrived there from his morning walk. He saw a woman furtively going toward the palace. He shouted
Stop there! Who are you and where are you going?
new Bang
The maid trembled with fear.

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AJATSHATRU KUNIK On coming near, the king recognized the maid. When he reprimanded The maid took the king near the garbage heap. for her questionable behaviour, the nervous maid revealed the truth- Shrenik rushed, picked up the infant and kissed
him. When he saw the finger of the wailing child Sire! Have mercy on me! he exclaimed Queen Chelna has given birth to a son.... and her
Oh! a hen has pecked order is to throw the
his finger, it is child on a garbage
bleeding. heap....
NAAA
Nu
O evil soul! What have you done?....
Where is the child?...
AL
Shrenik took the child to Chelna's palace and questioned her about this cruel deed. The queen said in choked voice
When Shrenik came to see his son a few days later, he found that the wounded finger had swollen with pus and the child was crying. He at once took the finger in his mouth and sucked out the pus. The queen was surprised
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Sire! The child who instills the desire to eat the flesh from his father's heart, the moment he is conceived, is sure to become the scourge of the family. Throw
him away.
Queen! You should not pay
heed to such instances. Please
give the child all your love and care!
Sire! Such affection for this child. You are great. Only as a fruit of some pious deed
one gets a father like you.
ain Education International

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The child was named Ashok Chandra but due to his wounded finger every one called him Kunik#. After Kunik, Chelna gave birth to two other sons who were named Halla and Vihalla. When they grew up, the three princes were sent to a "Gurukul" school.
He tasted the sweets from his brothers' boxes.
Oh! How tasty this is!
Kunik thought
open O
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AJATSHATRU KUNIK
# Kunik = one with a cut finger.
Jain Educo Ball shaped sweets.
6000
chl
One afternoon three lunch-boxes full of saffron laddus## were sent to the school. The servants first gave a box to Kunik and then to Halla and Vihalla. Kunik tasted his ladduIt tastes a little odd. It is
made of jaggery
JYLL
When he found the same mistake next day also, he asked the servants
Who sent these?
eu
No! Not at all. Mother cannot do this. I am sure father
has asked for this
partiality.
Watan
The queen, my prince.
Gradually a feeling of dislike clouded Kunik's mind. Even in insignificant matters he felt as if his father hated him and loved his younger brothers.
3

Ma.wm
Mad

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AJATSHATRU KUNIK When Kunik became a youth, he was married to a princess named Padmavati.
Near Rajagriha was a large forest where roamed a large herd of elephants. It had a larger percentage of she-elephants. The king-elephant was cruel and suspicious. Whenever a female gave birth to a male baby the elephant would crush it to a cruel death
Yes! There would be no male elephant
left to subdue me and become the 7 king of this herd when I grow old.
One day a female in the herd became pregnant. She thought
This cruel elephant
will crush my baby 102
too under his feet.
I should do something
Next day she started limping to remain behind the moving herd. The elephant saw this. She is limping, must have hurt
her leg.
C
He moved ahead with indifference.

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AJATSHATRU KUNIK The pregnant female caught up with the herd after three days. The elephant believed her and saidShe explained to the elephant
All right. Rest Lord! I have
here till you get acute pain in my leg. I can't
relief. even move.
And her distance with the herd increased
The she-elephant came to a hermitage at the edge of the forest. Considering her to be sick, the hermits allowed her to remain there. At last she gave birth to a beautiful male baby.
How beautiful this elephant is!
WW
Volyniniu
IS
A few days later she left the baby elephant and rejoined her herd.
The hermits looked after the baby elephant. He played with them and they fed him bananas and other vegetables.
He used to fill water in his trunk and sprinkle at the plants in the hermitage. This action inspired a hermit
This baby elephant has become
our sechanak.
Since then all hermits called him Sechanak.
# Sechanak = one who waters the plants.

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AJATSHATRU KUNIK One day Sechanak was drinking water at the river-bank when the aging bull-elephant arrived there with the herd. The bull was surprised to see a young male elephant.
( Oh! How did this young male
survive?
He at once attacked Sechanak.
Sechanak was young and strong. He hit the old bull and fell him on the ground. Goring the bull with his tusks Sechanak killed him
With the death of the leader the herd scattered. An aging female approached Sechanak
Son! I am your mother. It is good that you have killed this rogue. He used to kill the
young males of this herd after their birth.
Sechanak asked his mother
Why did he not kill
me?
She narrated the story of his birth
Son! TO save you! pretended to be lame.
R

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At the time of your birth I hid in the dense thicket behind this hermitage.
...and he would grow up to become my killer. Therefore I should destroy this hermitage. When there is no spark left there will be no fire.
This rampage scared the hermits.
How ungrateful
of Sechanak? He is destroying the very hermitage where he was born.

AJATSHATRU KUNIK
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We should go
to King Shrenik
for help.
The story of his birth came as a shock to Sechanak. He thought
In future some other female could also take refuge in the hermitage and bring up her male baby this way....
The train of thoughts reached the bursting point. Sechanak exploded with anger. He started trampling the hermitage and uprooting the trees around
The hermits went to King Shrenik and lodged their complaint
Sire! A rare giant elephant with all auspicious signs has gone mad and is on rampage in the forests beyond the Vaibhar gun hills. It is fit to be the king of your herd of elephants.
Rest assured,
he will be brought in our yard.
7
Castelbundnico owl sada

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Under the king's order, the elephant-tamers caught and tamed Sechanak. In due course the king formally made him the chief-elephant of the state and bestowed the honour of the best elephant.
This is a just decision, sire!
The two brothers are very close to each other. It is appropriate to give them the two best possessions of the empireSechanak and the divine eighteen string necklace.
AJATSHATRU KUNIK
5550
One day King Shrenik was talking to queen Chelna in the palace
Queen! I am getting old. now. I should hand over the responsibilities of this large empire to my eldest son, Ashok Chandra Kunik. We shall find an auspicious date and crown him,
But my lord! I have two other sons, Halla and Vihalla, who
are like my eyes. What are your plans for them?
Next day the king called princes Hall and Vihalla in his assembly and announcedI give the two jewels of the crown of Magadh, Sechanak and the divine eighteen string necklace, to princes Halla and Vihalla.
The two brothers accepted the gifts and bowed to their father.
#These two combined matched half the total worth of the Magadh empire.

8

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AJATSHATRU KUNIK
With passage of time Kunik's antagonism for Shrenik kept on increasing. One day he thought
Father has become so old but he still remains obsessed with imperialistic desires. It is time he
What?!
renounced the empire to embrace spiritualism.
He at once enlisted the help of his ten step brothers# by offering them kingdoms. One morning they entered Shrenik's bedroom and arrested him. Father! You are under arrest.
Kunik imprisoned Shrenik in a dark dungeon.
The train of thoughts took a turn-b
no
If he continues to stick to the throne I will also grow old. Would I be crowned in my old age.... No! Something should be done.
The fearsome bearing of Kunik crushed any semblance of a revolt. He ascended the throne of Magadh and rewarded his brothers with important positions in the state. Xol
OX
Any one who defies the order of
emperor Ashok
Chandra Kunik
will be punished by death.
# Shrenik had ten sons, Kaal Kumar and others, by his other ten queens including Kaali and Mahakaali.

9

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The seeds of hatred for Shrenik, sown in the mind of Kunik since childhood, sprouted now. He visited the cell daily and gave Shrenik one hundred lashes with a wet whip.
What sin have Icommited? Kurik why these vengeful blows? After all, lan your father
AJATSHATRU KUNIK
Hey son! what have you done!!

You are evil and greedy. You show partiality with sons. You don't even love your sons.
One day Kunik was taking his meals while his infant son Udai was in his lap. Suddenly the son urinated all over the plate. Kunik laughed at this mischief of his beloved son.
Dovy
(8)
He wiped the plate and resumed eating.
When queen Chelna knew of this she at once came to see Shrenik. When she saw his condition she started crying bitterly
My lord! I had warned you that he is not your son but an enemy. Had you let him dié then, you would not have suffered this torture.
10

Queen! This is the fruition of the Karmas of past birth.
Chelna begged Kunik to free Shrenik but he refused to relent.
Chelna was sitting nearby. Kunik smiled and asked
Mother, do you know of a father who loves his son so much?
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PED
COCO
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Chelna replied bitterly
Sinner! Your father loved you even more. He even put his life at stake
for you.
Chelna narrated the story of his birth
AJATSHATRU KUNIK
Kunik looked at his mother with surprise and utteredQ
od

Disturbed by an ominous Dohad, I ordered you to be thrown on a heap of rubbish as soon as you were born.
It was your father who brought you
back and saved your life.
#모닥
Kunik looked agape at his mother
Chelna continued with tears in her eyes
Mother! If my father loved me so much why he disfavored me.
What do you say, mother?!
11

A hen had pecked your finger and it got infected. When you cried in pain It was your father who gave you relief by sucking the pus from your finger.
What disfavor?
ber

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Mother, he gave the necklace
and the elephant to Halla and Vihalla and, nothing to me.
This rogue comes everyday with a whip. Today he has
a mace in his hand. He is going to kill me. He is sure to torture me before that?
It is better to die than to
suffer.
EXC BEO

மறும
AJATSHATRU KUNIK
Kunik, how suspicious and impatient you are? He
was keen to crown you and that is why he first gave these things to Halla and Vihalla.
oooo
Filled with repentance, Kunik rushed towards the prison. To break the shackles, he took a mace in his hand. When Shrenik saw Kunik rushing at him with a mace, he was terrified
He was looking for an auspicious day when you lost your patience.
These words from his mother hit Kunik like a thunder bolt. His mind in turmoil, Kunik started cursing himself
What a mistake! Mother, I have committed a hyenous crime. Blinded by greed I tortured my god-like father. I will at once release him and beg his forgiveness.
With these thoughts Shrenik took out deadly poison from his finger-ring and put it on his tongue. The next moment he died and fell. Kunik arrived there and saidFather! Please forgive me. I am lowly, I am a sinner.
Bod
40
12

But Shrenik was already dead.

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AJATSHATRU KUNIK When Kunik found his father dead he started wailing Next day Shrenik was cremated with all state like a child and striking his head with the wall.
honours.
Alas! what have ! done. I will be known as
the most cruel and greedy son in this world. I have no right to live.
MOROCCO
W 9000S
By then the ministers, the state priest and many others arrived and pacified Kunik.
The Magadh empire was in state of mourning,
The ministers deputed architects to look for a suitable place. During their search the architects came to a giant Champak tree at the center of a large level plot of land.
The death of Shrenik was a blow to Kunik. He was consumed by the fire of repentance. When he saw the throne, crown, and other regalia he remembered his father and a gloom descended over him. One day he called his ministers and said,
The sight of this assembly, palace, and even the city fills me with deep sadness. Please arrange to construct a new capital city
away from Rajagriha.
wir
See how large is this
Champak tree. It is dense and with a very
cool shade. Just standing on this land one is swept with a feeling of peace and calm.

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AJATSHATRU KUNIK
The architects and augurs told Kunik about the place. The king gave the order and the construction was launched. In a short time a beautiful city was erected. As it was so near the giant Champak tree it was called Champa city.
Great! Kunik may be the
king but the royal comforts are being enjoyed by
these two brothers.

Yes, indeed!.
FOR GREE
F
One day queen Padmavati was enjoying the beauty of the town from the balcony of her palace when she saw princes Halla and Vihalla perched on elephant Sechanak with their wives. They were richly attired. One of the wives had the divine necklace in her neck and the other a divine pair of shining ear rings. Sechanak was playfully manipulating them with his trunk. The people on the street enjoyed this royal display.
14

BIE TENOROX
SS
Ga
(gout)

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Padmavati burned with envy when she saw all this. She approached Kunik
My lord! That divine necklace and the elephant are the property of the state and so you are the rightful owner. I want those.
AJATSHATRU KUNIK
Kunik said
Kunik tried in vain to dissuade Padmavati, but she remained adamant and retired to her chamber of solitude. At last, Kunik reluctantly called Halla and Vihalla and said
Brother, the divine necklace and the elephant are the property of the state. Please give them to me and in exchange you may seek anything from me.

Brother! These things were gifted to us by our father and
so we are the rightful owners. It is not proper for you to call them back
10:07
Queen! Father had given these things to Halla and Vihalla. Therefore we have no right over them. They are the true owners.
15

My lord! You used to say-the pleasures of the world are for braves to enjoy.' and today you say I have no right over these.' Have you lost all your overpowering bravery?
Kunik became angry
T
I take what I desire. Think well. You will come
to harm if you take a
wrong decision.
All right, brother.
We will think it over and let you know tomorrow.
Halla and Vihalla calmly replied.

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The two brothers discussed
AJATSHATRU KUNIK
That very night the two brothers, riding Sechanak, left for Vaishali, the capital of the state owned by their maternal grand father Chetak. In the morning they reached Vaishali and told Chetak about their predicament
The person who killed his father to grab the state can do anything to us. It is better to go to a far away place in
order to avoid a family feud.
Grand father! We seek your refuge. Please
protect us.
Rest assured child. Chetak, a devotee of the Jina, will not allow injustice to be
done to you.
The emissary conveyed this answer to kunik. The king lost his temper and took a vow
When Kunik knew of this, he sent his emissary to King Chetak. The emissary gave the messageSire! princes Halla and Vihalla have brought with them a divine elephant and a necklace belonging to the state. As a gesture of goodwill Kindly
return these things to King Kunik.
I am not Kunik if I do not destroy Vaishali and till the land with a plough driven by
donkeys
Go and tell your king that it in exchange of these two things he is ready to give half of the state of Champa I can get these things back for him. Otherwise it
is not possible.
He marched toward Vaishali with his large army
16

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AJATSHATRU KUNIK The armies of Vaishali also marched to the battle field. Both the armies used different battle formations. The commander of Kunik's army was Kaal Kumar. The armies of Vaishali were under the command of King Chetak himself.
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With blowing of trumpets the battle and a terrible holocaust started.
By evening Kaalkumar reached near Chetak and launched arrows at him. Chetak countered with a divine arrow that pierced Kaal Kumar's chest and he died on the spot."
Next day Mahakaal became the commander and Chetak again used his divine arrow to kill him.
By sunset the war ended.
# Chetak's divine arrow had the power to kill the targeted person but he had vowed to use it only once during a day. 17
www.jalnelibrary.org

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AJATSHATRU KUNIK
In ten days Kunik's ten brothers were killed. He lost hope Suddenly he recalledand became sad. He thought
Main Education International
I thoughtlessly triggered this war. Ten of my brothers have been killed. Now if I retreat I
am faced with a defeat
that is worse than death. What do I do?
Sen
20000
H
WW2
Kunik went into solitude and observed a three day fast to evoke the gods. Shakrendra and Chamarendra, the friendly gods, appeared before him and saidSpe
wo CHORY
Kunik! That is impossible. Being a vow-observing shravak Chetak is our co-religionist. We cannot kill him.
Why not seek help of the gods who befriended me in my earlier birth. It is impossible to win this war without divine help.
18
Friend! we have
come to help you.
Say what you need?
Beloved of gods! If you favor me, please destroy king Chetak.
Ho
However! We give you this impenetrable armor. This will save you from the deadly divine arrows of Chetak. Put it on.
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berl
bategist

Sono

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AJATSHATRU KUNIK
The gods also assembled two powerful battle armaments named Mahashilakantak and Rath-musal.
The Rath-musal was a deadly tank equipped with guns and fire throwers. It was operated automatically.
The Rath-musal was a deadly tank equipped with guns and fire throwers. It wasoperated automatically.
Next morning Kunik launched his attack and used these two deadly weapons. Emitting terrible sound the two tank moved towards the Vaishali armies and struck havoc. The soldiers were crushed and burnt like pieces of straw.

The disorganized Vaishali army retreated in panic. King Chetak aimed his divine arrow at Kunik. But it was wasted by the divine armor.
Ha! Ha!
True to his vow, Chetak did not use another divine arrow.
19

Page #22

Next day Chetak gave command of the army to the great warrior Varun Naag who was observing a two day fast. There was a furious battle and by evening, Varun Naag was fatally wounded.
AJATSHATRU KUNIK
t
He retreated into solitude, took the ultimate vow (Santhara), and did critical review of his deeds before dying in peace. He took rebirth as a god."

By evening the battle field was a deathly site of scattered corpses. Terror stricken by the terrible manslaughter, the remaining soldiers of Vaishali retreated into the walled city. King Chetak also joined them and ordered
Close the city gates.
Kunik's army surrounded the city and with the help of his elephants launched an attack on the huge city gates and walls.
Even after all efforts the rampart and the gates could not be broken.
# He is said to be the only human being who reincarnated as a god after dying in a war.

20

Page #23

AJATSHATRU KUNIK To maul Kunik's army, Halla and Vihalla resorted to gorilla During the night Halla and Vihalla proceeded towards the battle tactics riding Sechanak during the night. Kunik got disturbed ground riding on Sechanak. After going some distance Sechanak and consulted his ministers. One of them advised
sensed the impending danger with the help of his sixth sense. He
stopped when he came to the ditch. The princes encouraged himSire! A large pit should be dug on the path on which Sechanak comes. Burning charcoal
Sechanak, why should be heaped in it and then it should be have you stopped? covered with leaves and branches,
Go ahead. Move
HE
The plan was implemented.
But aware of the danger Sechanak did not move. Ignorant of the unseen danger the princes goaded
Such harsh words disturbed Sechanak. He threw the princes on the ground and stepped ahead into the camouflaged pit of fire.
Sechanak, have you lost your nerve? Treacherous animal, we pushed Vaishali into the holocaust of war for your sake and today you
are ditching us.
SES

Page #24

AJATSHATRU KUNIK When they saw Sechanak burning in flames, the With this turn of attitude the Shasan princes repented
Devi * appeared and transported them
before Lord Mahavir. What have we
Now our lives done? We have
are worthless. O pushed our faithful
Lord Mahavir ! elephant into a
If we cannot not take pit of fire.
your refuge we shall jump into this fire-pit and immolate ourselves
pravne from
Bhagavan ! We seek your refuge. Please deliver us
from our sorrows The two brothers got initiated.
In the other camp Kunik was worried because of his failure to breach the fortification of Vaishali. While he was thinking of some plan he heard a divine voice
Kunik traced Koolvaluk with the help of his spies but the ascetic refused to help. Kunik assigned this duty to a courtesan, Magadhika
Magadhika, only you can persuade Koolvaluk
As you to do this work.
say, Sire.
Only Koolvaluk Shraman can help breach the fort.
# The guardian angel of the religious order.
22

Page #25

AJATSHATRU KUNIK
Magadhika enticed Koolvaluk with her beauty and he fell from his grace. He disguised himself as an augur and entered Vaishali. Wandering around, he saw a large stupa* of Munisuvrat Swami at the center of the city.
GE
LIL
Indeed! This Stupa makes the fortification impenetrable If this is demolished the fort
could be breached.
OS
em
AM
59
101
CADA yms.
PA
Koolvaluk came near the Stupa and gave it a special attention. The passersby asked
What? How is the misfortune of Vaishali connected
with this?
You appear to be a scholarly augur. What do you see?
I can read that the misfortune of Vaishali is brought forth by
this Stupa.
This Stupa was constructed at an inauspicious moment.
It is because of this that the enemy has laid a siege. The day this is demolished
the attacking army will retreat. Vaishali will
be free.
-
R
# A dome shared religious structure.
23

Page #26

AJATSHATRU KUNIK
The innocent masses believed the crafty augur and started demolishing the Stupa. Following the plan, Kunik's army started retreating. The people commented
See, what a miracle! As soon as the demolition was commenced
The demolition work was continued with greater fervor and soon the Stupa was no more.
Getting the message from the augur, Kunik re-launched his attack. The ramparts were broken and the victorious army destroyed Vaishali mercilessly.
M

the enemy started retreating.
Break it. Break it fast.
In no time beautiful Vaishali was in ruins. Kunik ordered to till the ground with donkey-ploughs. Intoxicated with bloated ego Kunik said
Mi
Bu
Today my vow has been fulfilled. Vaishali has been destroyed.
Cu
20
(-5).
24
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--
==
And he returned to Champa.
erotinta auoigiler ben

mob A#

Page #27

AJATSHATRU KUNIK
In Champa, Kunik organized a gorgeous victory ceremony. Rulers and commanders from all parts of the sub-continent took part in these ceremonies. Kunik announced with prideI am invincible. Who has such four pronged army? Who enjoys the
Victory to Chakravarti Emperor support of such powerful angels as Shakrendra and Chamarendra.
Ashok Chandra!! will soon launch a victory march and establish an empire over the six
continents of the world to become a chakravarti.
Kunik started preparing for his victory march. One day an attendant informed him
Sire! Shraman Bhagavan
Mahavir has arrived in the Purnabhadra Chaitya
in the city.
Next day, after the discourse, Kunik asked Bhagavan with joined palms
Bhante! To which realm the Chakravartis, who enjoy mundane pleasures all their life, go after
death?
Great! Bhagavan Mahavir has come. I will go to pay him
my homage.
((
VARA
)
Kunik! When they complete their life-span the Chakravartis are born LOL in the seventh hell.
# Kunik was a great devotee of Bhagavan Mahavir. 25

Page #28

Kunik again asked
Bhante! I have also fought terrible wars. I also have all luxuries and comforts. What realm am I destined to go to after death?
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Kunik again asked
Bhante! What are the atributes of a Chakravart?
AJATSHATRU KUNIK
Kunik! Ater completing your life
span you will go to
the sixth hell.

M
Bartel What are the A Chakravarti has fourteen Ratnas and divine possessions including a Chakra
Kunik got all the information about a Chakravarti from Bhagavan and returned to his palace.
At this Kunik said with surprise
Bhante! Why so? Will I not go to the seventh hell?
Tymc
чит No, Kunik You are not a Chakravarti. The quota of 12 Chakravartis of this cycle of fine is
already complete
INS
000000 OOOOOO
He became obsessed by a desire to become a Chakravarti. Next morning he summoned expert artisans from the city and instructed
Using metal, wood, etc.
make perfect replicas of the 12 divine possessions
of a ChakravaniChakra, umbrella, etc. want to become one
#According to the Jain belief there can be only 12 Chakravartis during one descending cycle of time. lvs vsper18

26 nux

Page #29

AJATSHATRU KUNIK
After this, in a grand ceremony, he crowned queen Padmavati and Selecting the best among his elephants he made formally made her Stree Ratna.
it Hasti Ratna #
Ruth
COADA
Thus he arranged for the replicas of the fourteen Ratnas* and started his victory march with his large army. As he had the two divine and terrible weapons Rath-musal and Mahashilakantak, many rulers, large and small, came under his reign without a fight.
# Stree Ratna = gem among women. ##Hasti Ratna gem among elephants.
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D
• Divine possessions.

Page #30

AJATSHATRU KUNIK
They offered him gifts and tributes and joined his victory march.
Victory to Chakravarti Emperor Ashokchandra!
You are the conqueror of the world. Please honour us by accepting these gifts.
After conquering many states, Kunik, the invincible, came to the great mountain Vaitadhyagiri. His victory march came to an abrupt halt. His commander said
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Sire! It is Impossible to climb and cross this mountain with our large army. We cannot go ahead.

Kunik called his ministers and priests and asked their advise. The priest said
Sire! See, there is the Tamisra cave. Its gate is closed but if it could be opened we could find the only way across this mountain.
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namow gnioms mepe noins me

Page #31

AJATSHATRU KUNIK
How the doors could be opened?
Sire! The guardian of this gate is a angel named Kritmal. Whenever a Chakravarti, on his victory march, arrives here the angel automatically opens
the gate.
Why does he not open
the gate for me? Is he sleeping? Does he not know
that Chakravarti Ashok Chandra is on his victory
march?
Kunik, in his anger, took a large mace in his hand and struck at the large gate. When he struck thrice he heard a voice
Who is this fool? Why has he come here to invite his
death?
I am Chakravarti Ashok Chandra. Come out and give me way otherwise
will break open this
gate.
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Page #32

AJATSHATRU KUNIK
Kritmal angel appeared in the sky and said
|
Kunik said
You are an ignorant. Don't you know that
12 Chakravartis of this cycle have already reigned. Now there can be no more of them. Go back... Why do you
want to embrace death?
By the grace of my auspicious
deeds I have become the thirteenth Chakravarti. Do you give me the right of passage or do I break
open this gate?
Pervert! You refuse to
listen. Take this....
TO
The angel threw flames at Kunik and set him afire
MALNM
Oh god! Save me! I am
on fire!!
Kunik was turned to ashes by the divine flames.
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Page #33

AJATSHATRU KUNIK
The desolate armies of Kunik returned.
He reincarnated in the sixth hell.
After the death of Kunik his son Udayi was crowned as the king of Champa.
ΑΛΛΑ.
nama
THE END
MORALS LESSONS - 1. Due to the animosity of the earlier birth, Kunik was so much antagonistic to his father Shrenik. A
small mistake turned into a disaster. One should always be alert and cautious in his behaviour
and never neglect his rightful duty 2. Blinded by ambition, a man misbehaves even with his parents and tortures them. Therefore
ambitions should be controlled with the help of reason. 3. The jealousy and insistence of queen Padmavati forced Kunik to do injustice to his own brothers.
Becoming immoral, he destroyed a peaceful city like Vaishali just for the sake of a necklace and
an elephant. One should never abandon justice and morality under pressure from others. 4. Over ambitious Kunik did not heed to the warning of Bhagavan Mahavir and tried to become a
Chakravarti. His ambition lead him to his end. Ambitions, craving for pleasures, and false pride push one into the abyss of darkness and destruction.
31

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Page #34

विशेष ज्ञातव्य
In the Jain literature Kunik is popularly mentioned as Ashokchandra Kunik. Due to his wounded finger, pecked by a hen, every one called him Kunik (one with a cut finger). In the Jain works he is more often mentioned as Kunik or Konik rather than his full name. In the Buddhist literature his name is Ajatshatru Kunik. Modern historians also know him as Ajatshatru.
The available Jain literary evidences indicate that King Kunik was a devout follower of Bhagavan Mahavir. It is mentioned that he had appointed a messenger (Pravrittivaduk) whose only duty was to bring news of Bhagavan Mahavir's well being every morning. Kunik took his breakfast only after this news.
**Kunik's mother, Queen Chelna, was the daughter of King Chetak, the head of the Vaishali republic. She was a follower of the Nirgranth religion (as Jainism was called in those days). It was her inspiration that turned Shrenik a devotee of Bhagavan Mahavir whose mother Trishla, was the sister of King Chetak.
The republic of Vaishali was the largest republic state of that era. It was a grand city with invincible fortification. Buddha has said "If some one wants to see Amaravati, the city of gods, he should see the grandeur of Vaishali."
Sechanak Elephant was endowed with Vibhang Jnana (a class of remote knowledge) due to his deeds of the earlier birth. He could know about the camouflaged pit of fire but jumped into it because of the suspicion on his faithfulness. As he died with purity in his attitude he reincarnated as a god in the first dimension of gods.
The divine necklace of Halla and Vihalla was taken back by the gods. The gods also transported them to the religious assembly of Bhagavan Mahavir. They renounced the world and got initiated.
It is mentioned in Avashyak Churni that the combined value of the divine necklace and penoten Sechanak elephant was total that of the whole empire of King Shrenik.
Shrenik had ten wives named Kali, Mahakali, Sukali, etc. Every one of them had a son named Kaal, Mahakaal, Sukaal, etc. respectively. These ten brothers were killed by the divine arrows of King Chetak in the war of Vaishali. After their death their mothers got initiated in the order of Bhagavan Mahavir. They did severe penance, the details of which are mentioned in Antakriddasha Sutra. This Agam is specially read during the Paryushan Parva.
A lot of information about Kunik is available in Jain scriptures like Bhagavati Sutra, Niryavalika, Aupapatik, etc..

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Page #35

Dear friends,
Are you aware that many things. We use come from animal abuse and torture ? The food we eat, the clothes we wear, the cosmetics we use have one or more ingredients that come from the suffering of innocent lives. These animals that suffer tremendous pain, are kept out of our sight, imprisoned behind steel gates as they are driven insane, burned, radiated, starved, blinded, bashed, poisoned, experimented and electro shocked for our sheer pleasure. These birds and beasts speak to us, but we fail to understand them. Their cries and pitiful eyes complain of their suffering, but we turn deaf ears and blind eyes to their pain. With all this agony around is it possible to experience peace in the world ? Their cries and curses, their sighs and sorrows will not follow us like a shadow ? The violence inflicted towards these dumb creatures will not bring us unhappiness ? Seldom do we think of these consequences and we continue to pursue our greed passionately.
We all know that what we give out comes about. What we sow that we reap. This is the universal law. The law of nature. May be we were not aware of this torture before, but it is time we wake up to the gross reality and do something about it. We have been taught from the childhood not to kill an ant or any tiniest living-being. How can we allow killing of so many harmless lives for the frenzy of our desire ? The answer to these and many other ethical issues lie within us. If, only we can take sometime and get in touch with our self: the self that is loving, that is compassionate that is kind. When this truth dawns upon the mind we will surely stop this barbaric act and change direction towards harmless living. It is rightly said that what we do to the life around us and the environment becomes our fate. Let us change our fate by letting all living-beings live in freedom, in peace and in happiness. To do this we have to start replacing animal products with non-animal alternatives. In this issue we are going to list names of products that are made from animal ingredients along with its non-animal alternatives. For this valuable information we are thankful to Beauty Without Cruelty, India, for allowing us to use there information.
arborden dostato vidinio smin Bristles home s
altua da
Used in manufacturing hair, cosmetic, shaving, shoepolish, clothes, carpet, artist's and wall-painting brushes and tooth brushes. breadteilen en te b
Brushes used by painters are made from hog bristles: domestic pigs are chased, brutally caught, and as they squeal in agony, forcibly held underfoot while their hair is yanked out. Killed wildboar and mongoose, both protected wildlife are other sources of animal bristles. In certain countries, sable are specially bred on so-called farms, to be killed and their hair is converted into artist's and cosmetic brushes.
ommational

Page #36

An alternative to bristles of animal origin are bristles made from nylon and other synthetic fibres, which are increasingly and readily available. Apart from being cruelty-free, they are of better quality and last much longer.
W
ee insup
Feathers and Down
swad yel.eutan to wel erT wal
Used in making showpieces, fans, hats, accessories, brushes, greeting cards, shuttlecocks and stuffing pillows, cushions, quilts, duvets, sleeping bags, bedding and clothing.
em
BOW aw
Butterflies and Scorpions
pie tuo lo fuo Used in jewellery, paperweights and showpieces. Butterflies and scorpions are caught and immersed alive in resin and plastic to make kitsch. Such frivolous ornaments are then usually sold to tourists at high prices, who fail to grasp the intense cruelty involved in mummifying these live, delicate creatures.
Absolutely unnecessary, there is no alternative!
The feathers are plucked cruelly from live birds. The sale of feathers also results in making the meat of birds as chicken, duck, geese, peacock, ostrich etc. more profitable. iterb for ob Cotton, silk-cotton (from the tree) and synthetic filling materials are good replacements for feathers and down, all of which are readily and widely available. ni bine coseq ni
Fur and Pelt
air Used for coats, caps, garments, accessories, trimmings, linings, handbags, showpieces, toys. Juor
8
Pelts of wild animals, fur and skin are obtained through unimaginably cruel trapping methods. The trapped animal often has to suffer for days, till the trapper comes around on his circuit to end its misery through death. They have to suffer clubbing, gassing, electrocution and strangulation, just to name a few methods. Very often, unwanted animals and birds are also trapped and have to die. Yet others, like rabbits and mink, are specially bred on fur farms, only to be killed for their fur.
ni ise Artificial furs, like the coat in the photo, are available. Besides, most importantly, being cruelty-free, they are much more durable and easy to maintain. But do we really need to wear even simulated fur ?

beent ni evil
aloub
Jai Jinendra
araindoltema Pramoda Chitrabhanu

davati Sutra

Page #37

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Page #38
ERSHOZAM The last affliction : Nails in the ears and the treatment Picture taken from Mllustrated SHRI KALPASUTRA, Editor Shri Amar Muniji. Jain Educational