Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 100

Sec. III]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
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Gośāla Markhaliputra, the Ājzvila leader refers to the Mahā. silākanțaka Sangrāma as one of the eight finals which was still in progress, before his followers assembled at or about the time of his death in circa 500 B.C. So the death of the Ajivika leader synchronised with the Mahabilākangaka Sangrāna between the two contending powers.
Even after sixteen years from the date of death of Gośäla Mankhaliputra, at the time of the great demise of Lord Mahāvīra in circa eighties of the 5th century B.C., there was still the existence of the anti-Magadhan confederation of the Republics of the Mallakis and the Licchavis. It is said in the Kulpa Sitra? that the confederate rulers celebrated the great demise of Lord Mahāvíra by illumination of lights to mark the memory of the disappearance of the spiritual light from their midst. Effect of the two wars, viz. Mahāśilākantaka Sangräma and Rathamusala Sangrāma
These two wars set the seal of final victory on the fore-head of king Kūņiku who inflicated a crushing defeat on the confederate army led by king Cetaka and paved the way for the future expansion of Magadhan imperialism to all directions to bring about the political unification of India under the leadership of the vigorous rulers of the Nandas and the Mauryas.
THIRD SECTION.
Polity and Administration. Origin of State and its nature
The Bhs gives an idea of political theory and administration of both monarchical and non-monarchical-states of ancient
i Bhs, 15, 1, 554 "Carime Mahāsilākantae". ? Kalpa Sritra-(S. B. E. xxii 266-para 128). 3 Cf Modern Review, July, 1919, pp. 55-56. According to the
Ārya Masjusri-Mülakalpa (Vol. 1, el. Ganapati Šāstri, pp. 603 f) the empire of Ajātaśatru comprised Magalha, diga, Varānasi (Benaras), and Vaiśāli in the north. So it is clear that the result of two gr at wars - Mahāśilā kanaler and Rathamusala was the final annexation of Vaišali and Kasi by king Kūņika to his state. 4 Bhs, 7, 9, 300, 301, 303.
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