Jainism in North India

SR No.: 011067
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Chimanlal J Shah
Publisher: Longmans Green and Compny London
Publication Year: 1932
Total Pages: 66
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 3 MB

Page 161

JAINISM IN NORTH INDIA Moreover, Cellana is usually called " Vaidehi in the Buddhist books, and from her, Ajatasatru is frequently designated as Vedehiputto or the son of the Videha princess." 1 However "some of the commentaries--those for example on Thusa and Tacchasukara Jatakas--state that Ajatasatru's mother was a sister of the king of Kosala. Here the commentators have evidently made a confusion between the two queens of Bimbisara." 2 There is no reason to doubt the Jaina belief that Kunika was one of the sons of Cellana, and that, like Mahavira, he too was nghtly called Vedeluputto 3 That, besides Cellana and Kosaladevi, Bimbisara had many other wives is borne out both by the Buddhist and the Jamna sources. Accordingly, besides Kunika, Halla and Vehalla, the three sons of Cellana, he had many sons, all of whose names, whether they agree or not, are recorded by both the annals. About these sons and waves of Srenika the Jaina claim is that most of them joined the order of Lord Mahavira and reached their salvation? This claim of the Jainas, barting a few exaggerations here and there, is not based on absolutely false grounds. There is nothing strange or unbelievable if some of Mabavira's own kith and kin took a living interest in the great message that he put before suffering humanity. Leaving aside this question of close relationship between Mahavira and his royal followers, the literary and legendary traditions of the Jainas about Srenika are so varied and $0 well recorded that they are eloquent witnesses to the high respect * Lak (B C), op.at,p 106 Cl. Samyuita Mahaya, pt 1, p. 268, Rayoligudhuri, op. al, 124, Rhys Davids, CH1,1,P 168 ! Law (B C), op and locat o Fausboll, Jalaha, 1u, P 121, and 10, p 312; Ras: chaudhuri, op and loc cit , Rhys Davids, op at, 188, Rhys Davids (Airs), The Book of Kindred Sayngs, pt 1, P 100, 1. aluai,.. gordt :-Aasyaka-Sutra, p 078.... PUTETTE -Bhagavali, siit 300, p 815, fagene for afera:, --Ind., stil 301, p. 317 cf Rhys Davids, Buddhist Indra,p 3, Pradhan, op at, p 212 * cr Bhaganti, sul 6, p 11; Antagada-Drisao, slit 16, 17, p 25, Barnett, op cit, p. 07. Cf Alasyala Sutra, 670, Raychaudhur, op cit, p. 126 "Bimbisara is said to have contracted manage alliances with the kings of several states These, we may. sure, Kore qete common in ancient India "_Bent Prasad, The State in Ancient India, p 163 C Acnsyal-Sotra, p070; Antattarotatutya-Dasao, sil 1, 2, pp 1-?, Bamelt, op.cul, pp 110-119, Raychaudhuri, op and local , Pradhan, or cil, P 213 f o f ag) --Antagada-Dasio, sit 16-26, pp. 25-32 Cf. D'imic op. al, pp 97-107, Acasraha-Solra, P 687, IIcmncndm, opal, 406,7 m Or the sons of Stonin, Ilalla, challa, Abhasa. Yandisenn, Mechakmura and out said to linse joined thiconler of Mabatin, Cf Annitatorarulya Dasao, sul 1, p1, sul Rp 2; Barnett, op cul, pp 110-112, Atasyaha-Sulra, PP 689,085 118