Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 515

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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŪTRA
[Ch. VIII
these two great events according to the statement of Gośāla Mankhaliputra' as recorded in this canonical work, because he knew only about the first war on the eve of his death, after the sixteen years of which the demise of Lord Mahāvira, by whom tbe event of second one also was known, heard and remembered, took place at Pāvā. Even then the alliance between the Mallakis and the Licchavis existed, as it is evidenced by the fact of the celebration of the great decease of the master by their joint illumination of lights.
Dr. Hoernles has attempted to reconcile the two opposite views on the question of the pre-decease of Lord Mahāvīra and that of Lord Buddha as recorded in the Pāli Records and suggested 484 B. C. for the death of the Master and 500 B. C. for that of Gośāla Mankhaliputra and the occurrence of the Mahāśilākaạtaka Sangrāma and the defacto accession of king Kūņika-Ajātaśatru and the date of decease of Lord Buddha in 482 (or 483) B.C. in the eighth regnal year of the Magadhan king.
This interpretation of the chronology of the war that it took place in the first year of Ajātasatru's reign cannot be accepted on the ground that the Nirayāvaliyā Sutta makes it apparently clear that it occurred after the death of king SeņiyaBimbisara.
Further, it is pointed out by Jacobi* that the traditional date of the demise of Lord Mahāvīra is 470 years before the Vikrama Era (58 B. C.), i.e. 528 B.C. according to the Svetambaras and 605 years according to the Digan baras (i.e. 527 B. C.) on the suggestion that this Vikrama of the latter is meant for $ālivāhana (78 A.D.) Era.
Another tradition quoted by HemachandraS says that
i Bhs, 15, 1, 554, Kalpa Sūtra 128. Vide, Jaina Sūtras–S.B.E XXII of Jacobi
p. 266. 8 Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics. Ājivikism pp. 259 ff. 4 S.B.E. XXII (2.66), para 128, Kalpa Sūtra 6 ff. Vide, Political
History of Ancient India. p. 213 f. note no. 3. fifth Ed. 5 $thaviravalīcarita, Parisista Parva, VIII, 339.