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 211

JAINISM IN NORTH INDIA the identification being accepted by Mr Banerji and Dr Konow. This is what the most modern methods in estampage and historical research can give us, and hence, taking it as the sole clue to Kharavela's period, we evidently find that the Greek king had captured Mathura, and had advanced eastwards, probably as far as Saketa This is corroborated by the information given by the Gargi Samhita that the Yavanas, after taking Saketa, Pancala and Mathura, were marching towards Kusumadhvaja (Pataliputra) at the close of the Maurya period.? Emphasising the same point Mr Jayaswal states, "When Patanjali was writing his commentary on Sanskrit Grammar the king of Magadha (Pushyamitra) had undertaken a long sacrifice not yet finished Two Asvamedhas were performed by that Bagadha king, according to the new Ayodhya inscription. Evidently while an Asvamedha vas in progress Patanjali records that a Yavana king besieged Saketa and Madhymika. Kalidasa mentions an imperial victory on a river wbuch is near the Madhymika territory during an Asvamedha by Pushyamitra We thus have definite evidence that in the reign of Pushyamitra there was an unsuccessful Greek invasion. Now we have in Kharavela's inscription a contemporary Greek invader who had to retreat and give up Mathura. This occurred in the reign of Brhaspats - Mitra, who was a predecessor of Agn-Mitra, on the evidence of coins The conclusion is irresistible that the invasion is identical with one mentioned by the Gargi-Samhita and Patanjali" 3 For all this there arises another difficulty--whether this Greek king is Demetrios or Menander. Now, according to Gardner, Menander's time is about the beginning of the second century B.C.," and according to Vincent Smith about 155 BC. Furthermore, Menander is not said to have crossed the Isaros (Yamuna ?), while he is said to have gone beyond the Hypams (Bjas), and the classical IJ BORS, 41, p 228 In the Yuga Purana, one of the chapters of the Gargi Samhila, there is described that the Viciously valient Greeks after reducing Saketa fin Oudb), the Pancata country (in the Doab between the Jumna and the Ganges) and Mathura (Auttra), riched Pue! papura (Pataliputra), but that they dia not remain in the midland country because of a drendful war among themselves which broke out in their own country (Kern, Brhal Samlila, P87)-n evident allusion to the internecine struggle between the houses of Butns anos and Eucratades 3 J.BORS, 212, pp 241, 242. * Cf Gardner, Catalogue of Indian Coins, Greek and Sythic, int, PP , * Smuth, Early History of India, p. 239 . Gordner, op azt, Int, P 162