Bhagvana Mahavira

Author(s): Tulsi Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 15

II
THIRTY YEARS OF FAMILY LIFE
Cetaka's father was called Keka, his mother Yašomati and his wife Pythā.
The people of the Vajji Republic enjoyed religious freedom. Cetaka was the follower of the arhat religion as taught by Bhagavān Pārsva. Some of the leaders of the clans also followed this religion. A few were adherents of the Vedic religion also. Those religious diversities did not at all interfere with the political administration of the Republic. Siddhārtha and Trisala
There was a settlement known as Kundapura near Vaisāli. Its southern part was inhabited by Brāhmaṇas. It was, therefore, called Brāhmaṇa Kundapura. The northern part was inhabited by the Ksatriyas and was, therefore, called Kșatriya Kundapura. The ruler of Brāhmaṇa Kundapura was Rşabhadatta while that of Ksatriya Kundapura was Siddhārtha. The religion of Pārśva had a very large following in Videha. Both Rşabhadatta and Siddhārtha were followers of this religion.
Ancient Indian religion had two independent traditionsthe Sramana and the Brāhmaṇa traditions. The Ugras, the Bhojas, the Rājanyas, the Ksatriyas, the Jñātas, the Kauravas and the Dravidas were the followers of the Sramaņa religion. The Brāhmaṇa community followed the Vedic religion. On account of a long coexistence the two traditions began to mingle together. Some of the Kşatriyas adopted the Vedic customs and some of the Brāhmaṇas adopted the Sramaņa customs.
1. Harişenācārya in his Brhatkathā Kośa mentions Subhadrā as the name
of Cetaka's queen.