Book Title: Gommateshvara Commemoration Volume
Author(s): T G Kalghatgi
Publisher: Parshwanath Shodhpith Varanasi

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Page 153
________________ 112 Gommagesvara Commemoration Volume the sons of Kālāšoka as it is mentioned in the Burma Buddhist record and the remaining one, i.e., the 10th king, must be none other than (Nanda) Candragupta, the grandson of Kālāsoka. The Vayu Purāņa mentions the rule of 'Nanderdu'i.e., Nanda-Candragupta, who definitely cannot be the same as Mauryandu i.e., Maurya-Candragupta. Again according to the Matsya Purāņa Candragupta rules for 100 years and thereafter the Mauryas become the rulers. Here also one Candragupta is mentioned who is not the same as Maurya Candragupta and who must have ruled prior to the Maurya. As for the statement of 100 years of rule' it appears there is an element of error. Possibly this may be referring to the total period of the rule of Nanda and his successors (Nanda, 32 years + Mahānanda 46 years + ten successors of Mahānanda 22 years = 100 years). Further again, the Divyä vadāna mentions Bindusāra as the son of Nanda whereas it is well known that he is the son of Maurya Candragupta. Therefore, it must be that the author of the story of the Divyā yadāna has mistaken Maurya Candragupta for Nanda (Candragupta) which indirectly suggests that there must have been a king, Candragupta by name, prior to Maurya Candragupta. In addition to these facts there is one more piece of worthy evidence. According to the Svetāmbara Jaina tradition, Sthūlabhadra succeeded Bhadrabāhu Dvādaśāngin as an Ācārya and lived thereafter for 45 years and died in the same year in which Candragupta's coronation took place. According to the Digambara Jaina tradition, Dvādaśāngi Bhadrabāhu left Ujjaini accompanied by the Munisaigha of which Candragupta, the newly initiated monk, was a member, reached Kalbappu i. e., Candragiri at Sravanabelgola and there taking Sallekhanā died in the year 162 A. Mv. Allowing about one year's duration to travel from Ujjaini to Kaļbappu it can be stated that Drādaśāngi Bhadrabāhu had left Ujjaini in the year 161 A. Mv. and, hence, we come to the conclusion that the rule of Candragupta, who accompanied Bhadrabāhu joining the Munisangha, ended in the year (528-161) 367-366 B. C. Sthūlabhadra who did not accompany Bhadrabāhu and stayed back in North India with his Munigaņa became the Ācārya or head of the Munigaņa, that stayed back in north India in the year 161 A. Mv. or 367-366 B.C. As according to the tradition he lived as an Ācārya for 45 years and died in the same year in which Candragupta's coronation took place, we arrive at 322–321 B. C. as the date of his death and also the date of the coronation of King Candragupta, who, it can be said with certainty, is none other than Maurya Candragupta. A search, thus, into the ancient literary records brings into light the reign of a king by name 'Nanda-Candragupta' prior to the rule of Maurya-Candragupta, and in addition it also reveals that it is this Candragupta who is referred to in the Bhadrabāhu Kathā. Further this disclosure of the historic fact removes finally the controversy regarding the date of Nirvāṇa of Mahāvira also. The adjoining table showing the chronological succession of the kings of Magadha and Avanti Kingdoms points out clearly the place of Nanda Candragupta. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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