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136 INDIA AS DESCRIBED IN EARLY TEXTS
brothers fled away from Magadha and sought the protection of their maternal grandfather, Cetaka, the Licchavi-nāyaka of Vesāli. Ajātasattu having failed to get the things back by peaceful means, declared war against the Licchavis under Cetaka. A fierce battle ensued ending in the victory of the latter. The fact, however, seems to be that when Ajātasattu aspired after the throne of his father, the Licohavis set up a rival claimant. Anyhow the utterance of King Ajātasattu is significant as indicating that previously he was baffled in his attempts to subdue and punish the Licchavis. Ho sent his minister, Vassakāra, to the Buddha who laid much stress upon unity as the real source of their strength. Ajātasattu employed his ministers, Sunidha and Vassakāra, to fortify the village of Pāţaligāma on the Ganges to repel the attacks of the Vajjis and to bring about their disunion in order to weaken them.
Shortly after the death of Bimbisāra, Pasenadi stopped the payment of the revenue of the village of Kāsi which was offered by his father to his sister, as he was not in favour of allowing Ajātasattu, a parricide, to enjoy the income. This• resulted in a war between Magadha and Kosala with the result that Ajātasattu was ultimately defeated and taken prisoner. A treaty was then concluded by the marriage of Pasenadi's daughter, Vajirā
