Agam 19 Upang 08 Niryavalika Sutra English Translation

Author(s): Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar
Publisher: Deepratnasagar

Page 22

Nirayaavalika-Upang-8- Chapter-1
APPENDIX Aupapaatik Sutra and Niryavalika Sutra contain ample details about Magadh Emperor Kunik. In Aupapaatik, Kunik has been described as an ideal ruler and a devotee of the Jina but in Niryavalika he has been painted differently as an ambitious and egotistic ruler with territorial ambitions and a person who killed his father.
In order to properly and chronologically understand the brief description about Emperor Shrenik and Kunik available here, we present the story with some more details.
Magadh Emperor Shrenik was the eldest, most valourous and intelligent among the hundred sons of King Prasenjit who was a devotee of Bhagavan Parshva Nath. When King Prasenjit realized that his sons, coveting for the throne, are looking for opportunities to kill each other, he exiled Shrenik on some pretext, in order to save him. During this period of exile Shrenik took refuge in Buddhist monasteries and came in contact with Bhikshus. Impressed by their good treatment he developed a healthy respect for them.
During this exile he also got married to Nanda, the highly virtuous and intelligent daughter of a rich merchant of Venatat city. There only, Nanda gave birth to a son who later became famous as Abhaya Kumar, the storehouse of wisdom. On getting the news of his father's death, Shrenik returned to Rajagriha and ascended the throne. With his intelligence, state-craft and valour he took the Magadh empire to new heights of prosperity and glory.
In Jain literature Shrenik is popularly known as Bhambhasar and in Buddhist literature as Bimbasar.
There is a mention of King Shrenik's twenty five queens in Agamic and other scriptures of Jains. In Antakriddashanga there is a mention of twenty three queens of Shrenik including Nanda, Nandamati, Kaali, and Sukaali. After the death of Shrenik they all got initiated in Bhagavan Mahavir's order and attained nirvana after rigorous - austerities. In Jnatadharmakathanga is the mention of Megh Kumar's mother queen Dharini and in Dashashrutaskandh that of Kunik's mother Queen Chelana.
In various Agam works we find mention of thirty six sons of Shrenik. In AnuttarAupapaatik Sutra we find mention of twenty three sons including Jaali and Mayali. They all got initiated and after rigorous austerities reincarnated as gods in Anuttar Vimans. The story of Megh Kumar is available in Jnata Sutra. Nandishen also became an ascetic and took to the spiritual path. Niryavalika has the description of Kunik and his ten brothers including Kaal Kumar.
There is a mention of three sons of Shrenik by Queen Chelana—Kunik, Vehalla, and Vehayas. In Niryavalika there is a brief description of the birth of Kunik. This incident conveys that the feeling of animosity for Shrenik in Kunik's mind had its root in their relationship in the past births.
Many births earlier the king of Basantpur had a son named Sumangal who was highly virtuous and religious. Senak, the minister's son, was his friend. Senak was ugly in appearance. In light vein Prince Sumangal used to make fun of his ugliness constantly. Fed up of the sarcastic remarks on his ugly appearance, Senak left his house, went into the jungle and started practicing austerities in solitude. He made his body weak and emaciated by observing month long fasts. Once hermit Senak came to Basantpur. Prince Sumangal went to pay him homage and invited him to break his month long fast in the palace. On the day of fast-breaking Senak went to the palace. But as King Sumangal got sick the previous night he slept till late in the morning. The hermit returned without breaking his fast and he commenced another month long fast. When Sumangal came to know that the hermit had returned without breaking his fast, he came to Senak and sought his forgiveness. This time also he invited the hermit to the palace for breaking his fast. The second time also Senak came to the palace
Aagam - 19 - Nirayaavalika
Compiled by - Deepratnasagar
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