________________
as his capital. This reduced the importance of Rājagsha, which was then called Girivraja.
Rājagrha regained its political importance during the reign of emperor Śreņika Bimbisāra of Siśunāga clan, who made Rājagpha his capital. The period of his reign is accepted as 601-552 B. C. During the reign of Sreņika, Magadha empire was supposed to be the most powerful state in northern India. Initially Śreņika was a follower of Bhagavāna Buddha. But later he became a follower of Bhagavāna Mahāvīra.
Ajātaśatru ascended the throne of Rājagļha after Śreņika. He, in fact, imprisoned his father Śreņika and snatched the kingdom. He conquered many kingdoms to expand his domain. It was he who usurped the republics of Vaiśālī and Malla. During the earlier part of his reign Rājagrha was the capital of his empire. But later he shifted his capital to Campā city. After him his son, Udāyī, founded Pātalīputra and shifted his capital there. After this Rājagļha never regained its past glory.
Today Rājagsha is a small town. Its importance is only as a .. pilgrimage center. Jains consider the five surrounding hills Vipulachala, Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, Sravanagiri, and Vibharagiri as their pilgrimage centers. These are called Pancapahādi (five hills). The Buddhists consider Gțddhakūta hill as their pilgrimage center. There is - also a belief that the first Buddhist religious assembly was organized at the Saptaparni cave. Other places worth a visit are Sonābhandāra cave, Maniyāra Matha, the prison of Bimbisāra, Jarāsandha's arena, and ruins of the ancient fort. Rājagrha also has sulphur (hot water) fountains having water with curative properties.
BHAGAVĀNA NAMI NĀTHA -- He was born to queen Barmilā, the wife of King Vijaya (belonging to the Ikşvāku family and Kāśyapa gotra) of Mithilā city in Banga state. In due course he married and ascended the throne. When through his Avadhi-jñāna he knew about Tīrthankara Aparājita, he got detached and renounced the world to become a sky-clad ascetic. After the formal two-day fast seeking alms he came to Virapura city and was served food by King Datta. He then commenced harsh austerities and in due course attained omniscience. After stablishing the religious order he wandered around spreading his
212
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
