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Life of Lord Mahavira:
67
Mahāvira at Ujjain, Dasapura and Vidiśā.1 According to the Buddhists, Pradyota was converted to Buddhism by Mahākachchāyana.
Chețaka, the ruler of Vaiśālī, was a follower of Mahāvīra. It was only due to his influence that Vaiśāli became a stronghold of Jainism and that Mahầvira visited this place from time to time. Chetaka had seven daughters, the eldest of whom was married to king Udayana of Vatsa and the youngest to King Śreņika Bimbisāra of Magadha. One joined the religious Order of Mahāvīra and the other four were married to the members of the royal family. There may be some truth in the suggestion made by G.J. SHAH that these princesses were instrumental in the propagation of Jainism in Northern India.3
It is significant that Buddhist books do not mention Chetaka at all, though they tell us about the constitutional government of Vaiśālī. Buddhists took no notice of him as his influence was used in the interest of their rivals. Simha, a Lichchhavi general, was among the lay disciples of the Jaina Tirtharkara. 4
Looking at the great importance of Champā in the Jaina annals, there is nothing strange if one assumes that its ruler, Dadhivāhana, followed Jainism and held Mahāvira in high esteem. His daughter Chandanā or Chandanabāla was the first woman who embraced Jainism shortly after Mahāvīra had attained the Kovala. As Champă became a great centre of Jainism, Mahāvīra spent three of the rainy seasons at this place.
The ruler of Kausāmbi was king Satānika to whom was married Wirigāvati, the third daughter of Chciaka. Both the king and the queen were devotees of Mahāvīra and followers of the Jaina Order. The Jaina tradition also alirms that the king's Minister (Amatya) and his wise were Jainas by faith.
1. KAA, p. 119. 2. lbid, p 115. 3. Jainism in Northern India, pp. 88 f. 1. T'in, vi, 4, S. 5. Jra. Nir, 520 ff; Ara. Ti. p. 294 f. . 6. Bhag. 12,.
