Lord Mahavira Vol 03

SR No.: 023278
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S C Rampuria
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati Institute
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 232
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 80

Mahâvîra's Contemporary Kings
Kunika and King Cetaka of Vaisali had already started and was taking a very severe turn at this time.
(3) During his 56th year after passing the rainy season in Mithila he visited Sravasti. Here he had a quarrel with Gosalaka from which he contracted illness. This illness continued and took a very serious turn during the first month of his 57th year. However fortunately he recovered before monsoon. During this time he had disagreement with Jamali, who was his son-in-law and disciple, and who separated from him as a result of this disagreement.
I hold the view that Mahâvîra died during October of the 468th year before Christ i.e. in 468 B.C., and that he was born 71 years and about 5- months earlier., i.e. in April, 539 B.C. On this
basis I shall now try to arrange the historical information obtained from these items.
(a) In 498 B.C. King Satanika was reigning in Kausambi but in 495 B.C. we find the minor king Udayana on the throne. It is clear that Satanika must have died during this interval, say, roughly about 497 B.C. In 490 B.C. King Udayana was still a minor and King Pradyota was reigning in Avanti. All the Jaina writers unanimously state that Palaka was crowned King of Avanti on the same night on which Mahâvîra obtained Nirvana. The Puranas give the reign of 23 years to Pradyota and place Palaka as the successor of Pradyota. Hence Pradyota must have become king of Avanti in 491 B.C.
(b) In 492 B.C. old king Srenika was reigning in Rajagrha, but in 488 and 486 B.C. there was no member of the royal family in Rajagrha. It is known that Kunika had succeeded Srenika and after his accession to the throne he had a quarrel with his brothers for the possession of the elephant, Canaka. The brothers went to their maternal grandfather, King Cetaka of Vaisali for protection, and consequently a war between Kunika and Cetaka ensued." In order to make arrangements and efficient handling of it Kunika had moved on to Campa from Rajagrha. In 485 B.C. Kunika was in Campa and in 484 B.C. the war had already started and had taken a very severe turn. It is clear that King Srenika must have died some time between 492 B.C. and 488 B.C. Also the quarrel between the brothers, the intervention of the grand father and his