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 179

JAINISM IN NORTH INDIA Some of the modern scholars of great repute and authority have come to the conclusion that Candragupta can safely be called a Jaina on the authority of this tradition. "The Jama books (fifth century AC) and later Jaina inscriptions," observes Jayaswal, claim Candragupta as a Jaina imperial ascetic My studies have compelled me to respect the historical data of the Jaina writings, and I see no reason why we should not accept the Jaina claim that Candragupta at the end of his reign accepted Jainism and abdicated, and died as a Jaina ascetic." 1 To quote Smith, who has ultimately leaned towards it. "The only direct evidence throwing light on the manner in which the eventful reign of Candragupta Maurya came to an end is that of Jaina tradition. The Janas always treat the great Emperor as having been a Jaina like Bimbisara, and no adequate reason seems to exist for discrediting their belief. The Jaina religion undoubtedly was extremely influential in Magadha during the time of the later Saisunagas, the Nandas and the Mauryas The fact that Candragupta won the throne by the contrivance of a learned Brahman 18 not inconsistent with the supposition that Jainism was the royal faith Jainas habitually employ Brahmans for their domestic ceremonies, and in the drama cited above (Mudra-Rakshasa) a Jaina ascetic is mentioned as being a special friend of the minister Ralcshasa, who served first the Nanda and then the new sovereign. "Once the fact that Candragupta was or became a Jaina is admitted, the traditions that he abdicated and committed suicide by slow starvation in the approved Jaina manner become readily credible. It being certain that Candragupta was quite young and inexperienced when he ascended the throne in or about 322 B.C, he must have been under fifty when his reign terminated twentyfour years later. His abdication is an adequate explanation of his disappearance at such an early age. Similar renunciations of royal dignity are on record, and the twelve years' famine is not incredible In short, the Jama tradition holds the field, and no alternative account exists." 2 Besides these two eminent scholars there are others also who are of the same opinion. Both Rice and Narasimhachar, who have 1 Jayaswal, J BORS,1,P 452 * Smith, Oxford History of India, pp 75-76 "I am disposed to believe that Candragupta really abdicated and became a Jama AsocTIC"-Smith, Early History India, P 154 Hemacandra informs us that Candragupta cu TFG 44 -Hemacandra, op.at, v 444 186