Jain Journal 1967 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 33

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JAIN JOURNAL
the event took place between November, 491 B.C. and May, 490 B.C. as shown above.
Turning to the Jaina tradition about the itinerary of Mahavira, we have to enquire as to where Mahavira was at this time : whether he was in the Rajagrha-Nalanda area or away from it.
From the Life of Mahavira (Vol. II, Part II, pages 650, 658) we know that Mahavira was at Rajagrha (or in the Rajagrha-Nalanda area, to be more exact and in keeping with the tone of the Kalpa Sūtra $122) from November, 492 B.C. to the early months of 490 B.C. This is evident from the following quotations :
"Sramaņa Bhagawān Mahavira lived at Mithila nagarī during the rainy season of the fortieth year of his ascetic life”. (page 649) [Date according to our calculation July-October, 492 B.C.]
"Soon after the close of the rainy season Sramaņa Bhagawān Mahavira left Mithila and went in the direction of Magadha-desa. Coming to Rajagrha nagara, the Worshipful Lord put up at Gunasila Caitya outside the town." (page 650) [Date from November, 492 B.C. onwards.]
"Sramana Bhagawan Mahavira lived at Rajagrha nagara during the rainy season of the forty-first year of his ascetic life." (page 658) [Date July-October, 491 B.C.]
"Even after the close of rainy season, Sramaņa Bhagawan Mahavira lived at Rajagrha nagara, for a long time.” (page 568) [Date from November, 491 B.C. onwards for some months]
From Rajagrha he went to Apapa nagari or Pavapuri (pages 664, 682) where he breathed his last in November, 490 B.C. (according to our calculation).
Hence the event narrated in the Upāli Sutta is rendered more probable due to the presence of the two teachers in the Rajagrha-Nalanda area in the period from November, 491 B.O. to the early months of 490 B.C.
6. "In the Abhayakumāra Sutta (Maj. Nik., I, 392 sq.) it is stated that prince Abhaya was asked in Rajagrha by Nigantha Nataputta to go to Buddha, and put to him the question, whether it was advisable or