Jain Journal 1971 10

SR No.: 520024
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1971
Total Pages: 45
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 39

OCTOBER, 1971
return Bimbisara presented a golden plaque inscribed with eulogies of the Buddha. Eventually Pukkusati came to Rajagrha travelling on foot to visit the Buddha and became a Buddhist monk.
According to the Amitāyurdhyāna Sutta, Moudgalyayana, a chief disciple of the Buddha used to visit Bimbisara about the fag end of his life in prison and preach religion by his miraculous power at the latter's express desire. Vaidehi, one of Bimbisara's queens, was also imprisoned in an adjacent cell. The Buddha himself visited her on her prayer.15
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The description of Bimbisara's next life is contained in the Janavāsabha Sutta of the Dighanikāya. Once, Ananda asked the Buddha: "O Lord, since you have described the life after death of several of your disciples it would be fit if you will also describe the same of Bimbisara, who was also a religious and pious king and also your disciple." There upon the Buddha went into meditation when a Yaksa appeared before him and said: "O Lord, I am Janavasabha", and repeated it thrice and asserted: "I am Bimbisara." Then the Buddha knew and declared to Ananda that Bimbisara had been born as a Yaksa and was named Janavasabha.
The Therigāthā mentions the initiation in the Buddhist order of Khema, one of the queens of Bimbisara. She was ranked by the Buddha foremost among the nuns of his order for her great insight.
Now, if one is to rely solely on all these evidences one could not but conclude that Srenika-Bimbisara was a follower of the Buddha. But the Jaina Agamas furnish us with other side of the picture which is more evident than this.
In the Agamas
We have already noted how Srenika-Bimbisara came into contact with the sage Anathi, and learnt for the first time about the religion of the Nirgranthas. His direct contact with Mahavira and his deep reverence and faith for him has been described vividly in Daŝaśruta Skandha as follows:
"In that period at that time there was a city named Rajagrha. Outside the city was Gunasila caitya. King Srenika ruled there. One day
15 S.B.E., vol. xi, p. 165.