Political History Of Ancient India

SR No.: 032292
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hemchandra Raychaudhari
Publisher: University of Calcutta
Publication Year: 1950
Total Pages: 714
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 111

82 POLITICAL HISTORY OF ANCIENT INDIA Sūtra, Nemi of the Vishnu Purāna, and Nimi of the Makhadeva Sutta of the Majjhima Nikāya, and the Kumbhakāra2 and Nimi Jātakas 3 is more or less problematical. In the last-mentioned work it is stated that a Nimi was the penultimate sovereign of the Maithila family, According to the Kumbhakāra Jataka and the Uttarādhyayana Sutra he was a contemporary of Dummukha ( Dvimukha ), king of Pañchāla, Naggaji ( Naggati) of Gandhāra and of Karandu (Karakaņdu) of Kalinga. This synchronism accords with Vedic evidence. Durmukha, the Pañchāla king, had a priest wamed Brihaduktha* who was the son of Vāmadeva.5 Vāmadeva was a contemporary of Somaka, the son of Sahadeva. Somaka had close spiritual relationship with Bhima, king of Vidarbha, and Nagnajit, king of Gandhāra. From this it seems very probable that Durmukha was a contemporary of Nagnajit. This is exactly what we find in the Kumbhakāra Jataka and the Uttar-ādhyayana Sutra. • The Nimi Jatala says that Nimi was "born to round off” the royal family like the hoop of a chariot wheel." Addressing his predecessor the soothsayers said, "Great king, this prince is born to round off your family. This your family of hermits will go no further."
Nimi's son Kalāra Janaka 8 is said to have actually brought his line to an end. This king is apparently identical with Karāla Janaka of the Mahābhārata.' In the Arthaśāstra attributed to Kautilya it is stated that "Bhoja,
1 S.B.E., XLV. 87. 2 No. 408. 3 No. 541. 4 Vedic Index, 1. 370. " 5 Ibid, II. 71. 6 Rig Veda, IV. 15, 7-10 with Anukramani. 7 Aitareya Brāhmana, VII. 34. 8 Makhādeva Sutta of the Majjhima nikāya, II. 82; Nimi Jataka. 9 XII. 302.7.