Vaishali Abhinandan Granth

SR No.: 012088
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Yogendra Mishra
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology and Ahimsa
Publication Year: 1985
Total Pages: 592
Language: Hindi, English
Classification: Smruti_Granth
File Size: 17 MB

Page 177

136 Homage to Vaisali and the monks to whom these instructions were addressed were the monks of Vaisali. We get in the texts also an account of the Government of Vaisali. We have there a vivid contrast between republican (गणाधीन) and monarchical (एकाधीन) forms of Government. The Buddhist Jataka, 149 describes the constitution of the Licchavis as : तत्थ निच्चकालरज्जं कारेत्वा वसन्तानं एवं राजन सत्त सहस्सानि सत्त सतानि सत्त च राजानो होति / तत्रका एवं उपराजानो तत्रका सेनापतिनो तत्रका भण्डागारिका // "Of the kings who were permanently residing and ruling there (i. e., in Vaisali) the number was seven thousand, seven hundred and seven. The number of Uparajans was the same, as also the number of Senapatis and Treasurers". The Pali Jataka text containing the stories of Buddha's former births narrated by the Buddha himself contains a lot of interesting information about the Licchavi. Jataka No. 108, which is Bahiya Jataka was told by the Buddha while he was dwelling in the gabled chamber at the great grove near Vaisali, about a Licchavi Prince who had embraced the truth. This prince invited the Buddha and the Sangha to his house. Now bis wife was a very fat lady, bloated in appearance and she was badly dressed. Yet, the prince was very fond of her. After enjoying his hospitality, the Master returned to the monastery with the brethren. The brethren expressed their surprise tbat such a handsome man as the Licchavi prince should have such a fat badly-dressed woman for his wife and yet be so fond of her. Hearing what they were discussing, the Master said "Brethren, not only now, but also in former times the prince was fond of a fat womad". At their request the Buddha narrated the Babiya Jataka, the story of the past. Once on a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benaras, the Bodhisatva was one of his courtiers. And a fat and badly-dressed country woman, who worked for hire, was passing near the courtyard of the palace, when pressing need of nature came upon her. Bending down with her cloth decently gathered round her, she accomplished her purpose and was erect again in a trice. The king chanced to be looking out on to the courtyard through a window at the time and saw this. Thought he, "A woman who could manage this with so much decency must enjoy good health. She would be sure to be cleanly in her house;