Jain Journal 2001 04

SR No.: 520142
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 92
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 4 MB

Page 24

168
JAIN JOURNAL : Vol-XXXV, No. 4 April 2001
of the event is given as 518 B.C. which is equivalent to 522 B.C. according to our calculation. Just above the story is mentioned the fact that the 11th rainy season of the Buddha was passed in the Brāhmaṇa village of Nala or Nalada. (p. 103) The date of this rainy season according to our calculation is 522 B.C. Thus if Sankrityayana is strictly followed, the event took place sometime after the rainy season, i.e., in November-December, 522 B.C.
Coming to the Jaina tradition, we find that Mahavira passed his 10th rainy season at Sravasti (Life, Vol. II, Part I, 472) in 522 B.C. (according to our calculation). After the rains he travelled to other places. "Sramana Bhagawan Mahavira then went to Rajagrha nagara. There Isanendra (Indra of Isana Devaloka) came, and worshipped the Lord. After making inquiries about Bhagawan's health, he went away." (Life, Vol. II, Part I, p. 491). Thus Mahavira is also at Rajagrha, i.e., in the Rajagrha-Nalanda area at the same time.
The seven passages analysed so far are pointed out in the article of Charpentier. While reading Buddharcaryā of Sankrityayana we have come across certain other passages as well in which the Buddha and Mahavira are shown at the same place at a particular time. One such is given below:
8. From the Cūla Sakuludāyi Sutta (Maj. Nik., II. 3.9) we know (Buddhacaryā, pp. 262-267, esp. p. 263) that there was a conversation between Sakula-Udayi and the Buddha at Rajagrha in which a reference was made by Sakula-Udayi to Mahavira. The date of this event as given by Sankrityayana is 512 B.C. which is equivalent to 516 B.C. according to our calculation. We have already proved above that in 516 B.C. both the Buddha and Mahavira passed their rainy season at Rajagrha. (The text in the Sutta, however, does not make Mahavira's presence at Rajagrha necessary.)
Thus my conclusion is that in case the Buddha's date is regarded as 567-487 B.C., the date of Mahavira should be :
Birth : 561 B.C. (April) Death : 490 B.C. (November) 23
Here we would like to point out a mistake usually committed by many. When the date of the death of Mahavira is indicated, people find out the date of his birth by adding 72. This is wrong. Mahavira was alive for 71 years 6 months and 17 days, i.e., approximately for
23. In case the Buddha's date is regarded as 566-486 B.C., the date of
Mahavira in my opinion will be 560-489 B.C.