Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 496

Sec. 1]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
471
Udayana of Kaušāmbi was the first donor of abode to the Vaišalika Srāvakas and monks.
In both the cases Sri Abhayadeva Sūrio explains the epithet Vesālie' (Vaisālika) by Lord Mahāvīra and in fact a matronymicum "Viśālā Mahāvīra-Janani tasyāḥ apatya miti Vaiśälikah Bhagavän tasya vacanam śrņoti tadrasikatvāt iti Vaiśālika Srāvakah."
Thus it is evidently clear that the epithet Vesālie' attributed to Lord Mahāvīra reveals his historic association with Vaiáāli, i.e. he was a citizen of the ancient city of Vaisāli.
The geographical data furnished by the BHS shows that Vaiśāli was divided into three quarters, viz Brāhmaṇakundagrāma, Ksatriyakundagrāma, and Vānijyagrāma" with which the Master was associated in connection with his religious activities.
As regards the exact location of the birth-place of Lord Mahāvīra, Dr. A. F. Rudolf Hoernlea was the first scholar to identify it with Varukunda, a village in Basarh (Vaikāli) in the district of Muzaffarpur, North Bihar, and he has subsequently been supported by Hermann Jacobi' and other scholars.8 Boyhood of Lord Mahāvīra
The Bhs makes only one brief statement that Lord Mahā. vīra, having lived in the household life up to the age of thirty vears, got initiated and undertook the state of houselessness from that of houseness by taking one piece of divine cloth (devadūsa) with the attainment of godhood of his parents?. Except this information it does not throw any light upon bis boyhood.
1 Bh8, 12, 2, 441.
? 16, 2, 1, 90. 8 Indian Antiquary-Vol. XVII., Weber. See-Sutra Krtanga,
1, 2, 3, 22. 4 BhS, 2, 1, 90. See Commentary. 5 B.C. Law: Some Ksatriya tribes of Ancient India, p. 38. 0 Uvāsagadasão, (p. 3-5-6). Lec. 8. ? Hermann Jacobi, S.B.E. Vol. XXII, pp. X-XIII, B See--Homage to Vaişāli, p. 85-90,