Book Title: Sambodhi 1984 Vol 13 and 14
Author(s): Dalsukh Malvania, Ramesh S Betai, Yajneshwar S Shastri
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
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Kasiraja' of Bhasa -- An Appraisal
List of Pre-Mauryan dynasties assigns a total period of 138 years to 36
Pradyota Palaka Āryaka Avantivardhana
Visakhayupa. Dr. P. L. Bhargava 37 assigns 527-503 B.C. as the reign period to Darsaka' on the evidence of the Purānas and a Chronological epoch of 560 BC to 513 to Pradyota and Pālaka. Palaka the second son of Prad. yota Mahasena (PRY II. 13) was assassinated by Aryaka son of Gopalaka the elder son of Mahasena, done away with by Palaka, with Āryaka put into prison as evidenced by the plot of Mrceliakatika of Sudraka (Act IV). Avantivardhana might have wreaked his vengeance on Al'y aka and succeeded to the throne of Ujjayini. It obviously means that Pradyota Udayana-Pälaka--period of forty seven years liad 'Sanjaya' the 'Kasiraja' as the uterine brother of Kosalarāja Prasenajita living in the period ranging between B.C. 560 to 513. Bhasa referring to 'Kasiraja' as a Prince in PRY and as a King having two sons Vişnusena and Jayavarmā grown up enough to woo the hands of Kurangi and Sumitra presupposes a gap of eighteen to twenty two years in the preparation of Avima'raka far away from PRY. Vyd. refers to Darsaka as the 'Magadharāja' and Visnusena as Kasipati and Jayavarmā as Madhuralı most probably the King of Sūrasena. It implies from this that the author of Vyd. was porterior to PRY and SVD and Avimāraka and hence to Bhasa, Kasiraja referred to by Bhasa was certainly Sanjaya of Malatimadhava. Dr. Niti Adavāl's comments on the topic "The digvijaya of Udayana"38 illustrate some critical examination of the conflict of Udayana with the King of Kasi whom the learned Critic has identified with Pancala Aruni of the plays.39 Dr. Adaval has fully taken into account the variety of marital ties of Udayana after the forced marriage of Vasavadatta with him through the ruse of the Shamtusker. His revival of his relations with Viracika(t)40, his marriage with Bandhumati 41 alias Manjulika through the help of Gopalaka; his romince with Rajanikal (a controversial figure) and Kalinga Sena+ 3 (the princess of Takşasila) of all these the marital ties with Vasavadatta+ + and Padmavat14 5 (PRY and SVD) were mainly meant for political solidarity seeking the alliance of Mahasena of Ujjayini and the Magadharāja Darsaka. These two alliances catered to his desire for a "digvijaya'. He allotted Gopalaka the territory of Videha (KSS), Vidiša (BKM) and to Simliavarman that of " CEDI", designating
Sambodhi XIII-9
