Jain Journal 1972 04

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

Page 40

APRIL, 1972
179
around him a strong royal support in the cause of the spread of his religion.
The Jaina texts mention a number of kings, queens, princes, princesses, ministers and merchants as the disciples of Mahavira. Kings like Kunika, Cetaka, Srenika, Pradyota, Dadhivahana, Udrayana, Virangaya, Virayasa, Sanjaya, Sankha, Kasivardhana and others were said to be his devout followers.
Queens like Prabhavati of Udrayana, Mrgavati and Jayanti of Kausambi, queens of king Srenika and Pradyota, and princesses like Candana, the daughter of the king of Campa were among his followers.
Princes called Atimukta, Padma, grandsons of Srenika, Megha, Abhaya and others were said to have joined the ascetic order of Mahavira.
According to the Jaina texts, Mahavira was connected with many of these kings through his maternal uncle Cetaka, king of Vaisali. This Cetaka was said to have seven daughters who were married to the following persons :
Names :
King of
married to
Prabhavati Padmavati Mrgavati Siva Jyestha Sujyestha Cellana
Udrayana Sindhu Sauvira Dadhivahana Campa Satanika
Kausambi . Canda Pradyota Avanti Nandivardhana Kundagrama
became a nun married to
Bimbisara
Magadha
The Sisunāgas :
Out of these kings, the last in the list, is Srenika Bimbisara, the maternal uncle of Mahavira. This Srenika is to be identified with the Bimbisara of the Sisunaga Dynasty.
That this powerful king had come under the influence of Mahavira is amply borne out by his debate with a Jaina monk as given in the Uttarādhyayana which resulted in an event in which “the lion of kings... together with his wives, servants, and relations, became a staunch believer in the Law.” The Trişașțisalākā also depicts an occasion in which