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The Date of Mahavira
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fifty-five are (the years) of the Nandas; one hundred and eight those of the Mauryas, and thirty those of Pusamitta (Pushyamitra). (2).
“Sixty (years) ruled Balamitra and Bhanumitra, forty Nabhovahana. Thirteen years likewise (lasted) the rule of Gardabhilla, and four are (the years) of Saka. (3).”
Thus there was a gap of 60+155+108+30+60+40+ 13+4 = 470 years between the death of Mahâvîra and the end of Saka rule (i.e., victory of Vikrama).
This date (or 528 B.C. according to those authorities who regard 58 B.C. as the starting point of the Vikrama era) is wholly rejected by Charpentier on the following grounds? :
1. “The Jains themselves have preserved chronological records concerning Mahâvîra and the succeeding pontiffs of the Jain church, which may have been begun at a comparatively early date. But it seems quite clear that, at the time when these lists were put into their present form, the real date of Mahâvîra had already either been forgotten or was at least doubtful” (p. 155).
2. "The traditional date of Mahâvîra's death on which the Jains base their chronological calculations corresponds to the year 470 before the foundation of the Vikrama era in 58 B.C., i.e. 528 B.C. This reckoning is based mainly on a list of kings and dynasties, who are supposed to have reigned between 528 and 58 B.C.; but
(a) the list is absolutely valueless, as it confuses rulers of
Ujjain, Magadha and other kingdoms; and (b) some of these may perhaps have been contemporary,
and not successive as they are represented (p. 153).
3. “Moreover, if we adopt the year 528 B.C., it would exclude every possibility of Mạhâvira having preached his doctrine at the same time as the Buddha, as the Buddhist texts assert; for there is now a general agreement among scholars that the Buddha died within a few years of 480 B.C.” (pp. 155-156).
4. “Finally, both Mahâvîra and the Buddha were contemporaries with a king of Magadha whom the Jains call Kunika, and the Buddhists Ajatasatru; and he began his reign only eight years before the Buddha's death. Therefore, if
