Contemporaneity and Chronology of Mahavira and Buddha

SR No.: 006721
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nagrajmuni, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Book Agency
Publication Year: 1970
Total Pages: 188
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 7 MB

Page 121

Research and Conclusion
101 After conquering Avanti, it seems that Nandivardhan attacked Kalinga and brought a Jain-statue to Magadha. On the basis of the Hathigumphā inscription of Khāravela, this event should have been taken place in 466 B.C. Thus,
king Visakupa is assigned a period of 53 (or 85) years. But the scholars, on the basis of other literary works like Mrcchakatika, have proved that Ajaka or Gopalaka succeeded Palaka and therefore Viśākpyupa should be omitted from the Palaka dynasty, (Cf. Dr. Shanti Lal Shah Chronological Problems, p. 27, "What about Yisākhyupa who occurs in the Purānas in between Pālaka and Aryaka? According to the family-history of Pradyota which we have seen just now, there is no place for Viśākhyupa in between Pālaka and Ajaka as reported; "also cf. Majumda Shastri Journal of Bihar and Orissa Research Society; vol VII., p. 116. "Višākhayupa has been introduced between Pālaka and Ajaka, but as that name does not occur, in all Mss, we ought to take no notice of him.", also, cf. Dr. Ramashanker Tripathi, Prācin Bhārata kā Itihasa, p. 72. “The Purānas insert a third name-Visakhayupa in between Pālaka and Ajaka, which is probably a mistake." Ajaka is assigned a regnal period of 21 years, after which his son Avantivardhana or Vartivardhana reigned for 20 years. Thus the three kings Pālaka, Ajaka and Avantivardhana ruled for 61 years. Then, the rule of Pradyotas ended. Thus both the Jain and Purāņic chronology agree that the Palaka-dynasty reigned for 60 or 61 years. (cf. Dr. Shanti Lal Shah, chronological problems, pp. 25-27). A Nanda king is twice mentioned in the Häthigumphā inscription of king Khāravela of Kalinga (orissa) (cf E. J.) Rapson, Cambridge History of India, Vol I, p. 280). The sixth line of the inscription is: “Pañcame cedări vase nandarāja-ti vasa-sata ogāhitam tarilsuliya-vātābandi (mn) nagararii pavesayati)......", (which means, “And now in the fifth year (of his reign), he (Khāravela) brings in to capital Tosala or Tamsuliya (or entered a particular town through or executed some public work associated with) the canal excavated by the king Nanda 300 years before". Though the word 'tivasa -- Sata" has been translated as "in 103rd years (of Nanda king) by some scholars, the conscientious scholars like Dr. K. P. Jayaswal, Dr. R. D. Banerjee, etc. have (Contd. on next page)