Lord Mahavira and His Times

SR No.: 011080
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kailashchandra Jain
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1974
Total Pages: 427
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 83

Mahāvīra and His Life
03
the Nirgrantha recluses and disciples.
The lay disciples of Mahāvira and the lay supporters of his Order, both male and female, are all mentioned as persons of opulence and influence. At the same time, they were noted for their piety and devotion. Their contemporaries, including kings and princes, consulted them on many affairs and matters. Among them, Ananda and his wife Sivanandā from Vānijagrāma, Kāmadeva and his wife Bhadră from Champā, Chūlanipriya and his wife Śyāmā, Sūradeva and his wife Dhanyā from Bārāṇasī, Chullasataka and his wife Pushyă from Kampilyapura, Kundakolita and his wife from Kampilyapura, Sardalaputra and his wife Agnimitrā from Polāsapura and Mahasataka from Rājagriha and Nandinipriya and his wife Asvins, and Salatipriya and his wife Phālguni were the most wellknown lay disciples of Mahāvīra.
The Pāli Upali Sūtral introduces us to the rich houscholder Upüli of Balakagrāma, near Nālandā, who was a lay disciple of Mahāvira and a liberal supporter of the recluses of his Order, both male and female. We are indecd told that a very large number of the inhabitants of Balakagrāma, licaded by Upāli, became lay disciples of Malāvira. The banker Mrigāra or Mrigadhara of Srāvasti, father-in-law of the Buddhist lady Visakhā, is mentioned as a lay disciple or Mahävira and a lay supporter of the Nirgrantla recluses.
The Jaina Bhagavali Sülra speaks of two other rich householders Vijaya and Sudarsana, among the lay disciples of Mahāvīra. Of these the former was a citizen of Rājagriha. ROYAL PATRONAGE
Not only the rich bankers and merchants, but even kings, queens, princes, and ministers became lay disciples of the Jaina Tirthankara Mahāvīra. His personal connections with the various rulers were through his inother. Trišala, he Lichchhavi princess, and his maternal uncle, Chetaka, the king of Vaišāli. According to Jaina traditions, kings like Śreņika," Kūnika,* Chicțaka,· Pradyota, Šatanika, Dadhiva1. Majjh, 1. p. 227.
2. Maijh, 1, 371-357. 3. Vāgu, p. 146; Sthand, p. 458b; Ullarü. XX. 4. us, 44-46.
i Tro, Chi, 11, s. 161. 6. Bhag, 412.