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Satya Ranjan Banerjee: Jain Society in the ReignofJain Kings
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Though historically the starting point of Jainism was Magadh, at the time of Mahāvīra it spread to the kingdoms of Kosala, Videha, Anga, Vanga etc. In the Kalpasūtra Mahāvīra's itinerary is preserved to some extent. He wandered as far as Anga - Magadha to the east, Sthunā to the west, Kausāmbī to the south and Kuņāla to the north, The Khāravela (3rd/2nd cent. B.C.) inscription says that Mahāvīra established Jainism in Kalinga, and Khāravela, the chief king of Orissa, showed his great respect towards Jainism.
After the nirvāṇa of Mahāvīra, for a few centuries, the history of Jainism was nothing but 'little more than the history of the Jain Church'! Later on, of course, the Church organisation became very complex. Even at the time of Mahāvīra, we have references to seven schisms.?
In the 4th century B.C., at the time of Maurya Chandragupta (376 - 322 B.C.), there was a famine for twelve years which made a group of people led by Sthavira Bhadrabāhu, who was the head of the undivided Jain community, emigrated into the Karnata country in the south. Over the other portion that remained in Magadha the Sthavira Sthulabhadra assumed the headship. This incident had established Jainism in the south. At a later time, when the emigrating portion returned, there arose a great divergence of conduct between the two groups. The difference was so strong indeed that ultimately the community was divided into two - later on known as the Digambaras and Svetämbaras. It is true indeed that the difference between the two did not result to a definite schism. The Maurya Chandragupta, the Jains say, became the follower of Jina at the end and died in the south.
In the 3rd century B.C., at the time of Asoka (273 - 236 B.C.), the grandson of Chandragupta, the social conditions of India, particularly to the Jainas, was favourable and Asoka had maintained the equal status of the Jains with other religious beliefs. Asoka's attitude towards the Jain religion was favourable.
In the 3rd/2nd centuries B.C. from the Inscription of Khāravela (3rd/2nd cent. B.C.), we gather that people including the Jains, were entertained by dancing and music performances as well as festivities, and merry gathering. 11 Majumdar, History and Culture of the Indian People, vol-II, p. 415f. 21. Glasenapp, Der Jainismus, pp. 346 - 49
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