Jain Journal 1969 01

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

Page 25

JANUARY, 1969
timid." On being asked who told him so, he would reply, "Such and such Licchavi has spoken so."
Within a few days there developed so much of distrust and dissension among the Licchavis, that when Vassakara arranged to sound the clarion for the assembly, not a single Licchavi would turn up. Thus he became sure that it was now very easy to conquer the Vajjis. He secretly invited Ajatasatru for an attack. Ajatasatru set out with his army. A bugle blew in Vaisali, "Come on; let us go and prevent the enemy from crossing the Ganges." None turned up. Another bugle was sounded, "Come on, let us not allow the enemy to enter the city and close the gates to check the enemy." None came forward on hearing the bugle, but ironically they would say, "We are poor, we are coward, how can we fight? Those who are rich and brave shall fight." Ajatasatru entered the city through the open gates, ruined Vaisali and returned.70
According to the Mahaparinivvāņa Sutta, the two Prime Ministers of Ajatasatru, Sunidha and Vassakara founded Pataliputra city on the banks of the Ganges for protection from the Vajjis. When it was being built, Buddha also came there by chance and dined there on the invitation of Sunidha and Vassakara. He praised Pataliputra when there was a talk about it and gave three causes of its ruin,-fire, water and mutual dissension. According to Buddha, Sunidha and Vassakara founded the city in consultation with 'trayastrinsa gods'.
Comments
119
Both traditions in their own ways have given full details of the conquest of Licchavi Republic and destruction of Vaisali. The reasons and the pattern of war are completely different in the two traditions. The Jaina tradition depicts Cetaka as the head of the Licchavis. The Buddhist tradition puts only the 'Vajji Sangha' (Licchavi Republic) as the opponent. Certain references in the Jaina tradition, such as the armies of Kunika and Cetaka being thirty-three crores and fifty-seven crores in number respectively, the help from Sakra and Asurendra gods, one crore and eighty lac army casualties in only two days of war, the oracle in regard to Kulavalaka, the defeat of the Licchavis by the destruction of the tope, etc., appear to be exaggerations. The description in the Buddhist tradition appears to be simpler, yet more comprehensive. In the one there is a mention of the jewel-mine as the cause of the battle
70 Dighanikaya Atthakatha, Part II, p. 523.