Jain Legend Vol 2

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

Page 192

he found a chance he would fill the ears of Bindus ra against C akya. One day Subandhu narrated to Bindus ra, the incident of the latter's mother's death weaving it in such a beautiful way that it seemed as if C akya intentionally murdered her. At last, Subandhu succeeded in sowing a seed of aversion and disbelief towards C akya in the mind of Bindus ra. The foresighted tactician C akya immediately read the feelings of Bindus ra, developed an aversion towards the world, retired to a secluded place on the outskirts of the city and started observing fasting and engrossed him in meditation. When Bindus ra came to know the truth of his mother's death through his wet-nurse, he felt remorse. He immediately went to C akya, asked for his forgiveness and urged him to take up his previous position as the Prime Minister. But C akya had already freed him of the worldly ties and bonds and was involved in the practice of sppiritual-exertion. So the disappointed Bindus ra had to return to the palace, empty-handed. This incident, according to Jain literature, is narrated thus: Subandhu, on the pretext of serving C akya, stayed with him; and one day, he lighted fire to the dry cow-dung heap on which Cakya sat in meditation. However, Cakya did not make any attempts to escape and died in the posture of Sam dhi, and died.
The heinous and repugnant misdeed of Subandhu could not be hidden from Bindus ra and the people. Being humiliated, condemned and turned away by the king and the people, Subandhu leading a miserable life and facing lot of troubles, ultimately breathed his last.
Royal dynasty at the time of rya Suhast
After the accession of rya Mah giri to heaven in 245 V.N., his disciple
rya Suhast succeeded him as a c rya; by then it was probably 12 years of Bindus ra's reign. After ruling the country for 25 years Bindus ra died in 258 V.N.
Maurya Emperor A oka
During the tenure of Suhast as c rya, after the demise of Bindus ra, his son A oka became the ruler of the vasta kingdom of Magadha in V.N. 258. Bindus ra, the father of A oka and Candragupta, his grandfath both were the followers of Jainism. So initially A oka was also the follower of Jainism. During the ninth year of his reign (266 V.N.) A oka
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