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Research and Conclusion Ajātaśatru's reign began 17 years before the death of Mahāvīra (527B. C.) and ended 30 years after it. Thus, Ajātaśatru reigned from 544 B.C. to 497 B.C. Then, Udāyi' reigned for 16 years i.e. from 497 B.C. to 481 B.C. The Siśunāga dynasty ended with the 8 years rule of Ajātasatru and Munda in 473 B.C. As stated before the Siśunāga dynasty was succeeded by the Nanda dynasty. The first Nanda, probably called as Nandivardhana, acceded to the throne of Magadha in 473 B.C.
1. The Purāņus insert Darsaka in between Ajātasatru and Udayi. Also
the famous Sanskrit play Syapanavāsavadattā speaks of Darśaka as the King of Rājagļha. But it seems that Darśaka was really a king of viceregal throne at Rājagsha and not that of the regal throne of Magadha at Campā or Påtaliputra. (cf. Muni Kalyan Vijayaji) (op. cit. pp. 22-23) some scholars have considered it probable that Darsaka might be one of the many sons or grand sons of the King Bimbīsāra (cf. Dr. Sita Nath Pradhan, Chronology of Ancient India, p. 217. “The order of succession in the Vişņu Purāņa, which inserts Darśaka between Ajātaśatru and Udayaśva must be rejected. Also cf. ibid, p. 212- Darshaka may be one of Bimbīsāra's many sons who managed the state affairs during the life time of his father, Also, cf Raychaudhuri, op cit. p. 130; Geiger, Mahāvamśa, parichhedo IV, VV 1-2). Hence, in the chronological list of the main Siśunāga-dynasty, we need not count Darsaka. According to the Buddhist chronology Aniruddha-Munda were succeeded by Magadasaka (Mahāvassa parichhedo IV, vs. 4) and Siśunāga (ibid, parichhedo IV, vs). Nāgadaśaka and Susunāga are ascribed 24 and 18 years respectively as their regnal periods. (Ibid. 1.c. cit). On the other hand, the Purānas assign Darśaka and Nandivardhana a period of 24 and 42 or 40 years respectively, Väyu Puräna, II c. vs. 320 Matsya Purāņa, ad. CCLXXI, Vs-10). Now, it seems that Darśaka of the Purāna and Nāgadaśaka of the Ceylonese chronicles are one and the same person. (cf. E. J. Rapson, Cambridge History of India, p. 279; Dr. Radha Kumud Mukherjee, Hindu Sabhyată, p. 265). This Darśaka or Nāga-daśaka,
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