Jain Journal 1969 01

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

Page 19

JANUARY, 1969
1/3
Mahasilakantaka Battle or victory over the Vajjis
A historical event from the life of Ajatasatru, according to the Jaina tenets, is Mahasilakantaka battle and in the Buddhist tradition this has been named as “Victory over the Vajjis'. Both traditions differ from each other regarding the cause, pattern and results of the battle, but both agree about the victory of Magadha over the Vaisali Republic. Both Mahavira and Buddha were present at the time of this battle. Both have answered questions concerning this war. The description of this battle in both the traditions is most fascinating and expressive of the contemporary politics. The Jaina version is prominently available in the Bhagavati Sūtra, Nirayavalikā Sūtra and Āvašyaka Cūrni. While the Buddhist description is available in the Mahāparinivvāna Sutta and Dighanikāya and its Atthakathās.
Jaina version
After his father's death Kunika transferred his capital to Campanagari and sent for all his ten brothers, Kalikumara, etc. He then divided the kingdom, army, wealth, etc. into eleven parts and gave them their portion. Kunika had two real brothers (sons of Cellana) named Halla and Vihalla. King Srenika during his life-time gave them his two special things, the Secanaka elephant and a god-given eighteen strigned Recklace. 68
Riding on his elephant Secanaka, Vihalla Kumara along with his harem party used to go every day to the banks of the Ganges for watersports. His enjoyments and lust gave rise to a talk in the town that Vihalla Kumara and not Kunika was really enjoying the grandeur of the kingdom. These talks reached Kunika's queen, Padmavati. She thought, "What is this royal dignity to me, if I do not have the Secanaka elephant and the divine necklace ?” She expressed her feelings to Kunika. With her repeated entreaties Kunika was compelled to demand the elephant and the necklace from his brothers. He called Halla and Vihalla and said, "Hand over the necklace and the elephant to me." They replied, “Our father has given these things exclusively to us. How can we give them up ?” Kunika got enraged at this reply. Halla and Vihalla, then carried the necklace, the elephant and the harem to their maternal grand-father Cetaka in Vaisali. Kunika came to know about this. He sent his emissary to king Cetaka and asked him to return
58 It is said that the Secanaka elephant and the god-given necklace were equal in value to Srenika's whole kingdom. Cf. Avasyaka Curni, p. 167.