________________
.
8
MAHÂVÎRA’S CONTEMPORARY --KINGS*
-K.C. Shah
Jainas have preserved complete itinerary of Mahâvîra after he took Diksa. Muni Kalyanavijaya has arranged this itinerary in a chronological order. From its study we gather much information of great historical value.
First I give below the relevant items of the itinerary—.
(1) During his 42nd year Mahâvîra visited Kausambi before monsoon. King Satanika was reigning there at that time.
During his 44th year he again visited Kausambi aster monsoon. King Udayana was on the throne. As he was a minor, his mother, Queen Mrgavati, was carrying on the administration as a regent.
During his 49th year he passed the rainy season in Rajagrha and then moved on to Kausambi. King Udayana was still a minor. However entrusting him to the care of king Pradyota of Avanti, who was her sister's husband, Queen Mrgavati took Diksa.
(2) During his 48th and 49th years he passed the rainy seasons in Rajagrha. King Srenika, who was old at the time, had visited him with the members of the royal family during his stay.
During his 52nd and 54th years he again passed the rainy seasons in Raiagrha but ro member of the royal family had visited him.
Duis, his 54th year after the rainy season he moved on from Rajagrha to Campa where king Kunika was staying. There he was visited by the King and other members of the royal family.
During his 55th year after passing the rainy season in Mithila he again moved on to Campa. The war between King
* Journal of the Oriental Institute, Vol. 4. 1955.
