Lord Mahavira and His Times

Author(s): Kailashchandra Jain
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas

Page 41

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in the form of questions and answers between Mahāvīra and Indrabhūti Gautama. It also embodies a list of sixteen Mahajanapadas at the time of Mahāvīra. Anga was governed as a separate province under Kūņiya with Champā as its capital. In the war with Vaisāli, Kūņiya is said to have made use of Mahāśilakanţaka and Rathanushala. Udāyana, a ruler of Sauviradeśa, being influenced by the teachings of Malāvīra, renounced the world and became a Jaina monk. The work also enlightens us about the life and teachings of Gośāla who lived in the company of Mahāvīra for a period of about six years during which the latter was engaged in his ascetic practices.
The Nirajāvali Sūtra refers to the great battle between Kūņika of Champā and king Chetaka of Videha and Vaiśālī, when the eighteen confederate kings are stated to have sided with the latter. The bone of contention was the Magadha State elephant Śreyanāka and a huge necklace of eighteen strings of pearls which were given by Śreņika to his sons, Halla and Vehalla.
A vivid picture of social life has been presented by the Uvāsagadasão. It contains the stories of pious householders who became lay adherents of Jainism. The wealthy potter named Saddālaputta, for instance, was at first a follower of Makkhali Gośāla, but afterwards went over to Mahāvira. It informs us about the life and teachings of Gośāla who lived in his company for some time. Bārāṇasi, Kampillapura Palāśapura and Ālabhi were the important towns within the kingdom of Jiyasattu, and Vaiśālī was ruled by Chetaka.
The title of the text Nājādhammakahão may be explained as 'Stories for the dhamma of Nāya’ (Jūātņi), i.e. Mahāvira, who is also called Jñātriputra, Nāya or Nātaputta. The stories found here explain the teachings of Mahavira. They indirectly throw light on the economic condition of the people. They describe the sea-faring merchants of Champa, who loaded their waggons with various commoditics and proceeded to deep harbour. A merchant named Pālita of Champā is known to have gone on business to the town of Pihunda or Pithunga, a sea-coast town. The palaces, described in this icxt as lofty: had domes, and their floors were richly decorated with various kinds of gems and jewels.