Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 517

492 studies IN THE BHAGAWATT SÚTRA (Ch. VIII began with the death of Vikrama". But the interval of 155 years between Lord Mahāvīra's Nirvāņā and Chandragupta's coronation would put the Master's demise in circa (320 + 155), i. e. 475 B. C.
Having taken into consideration all these evidences it may be suggested on the basis of the above analysis of the facts furnished by the Jaina and Buddhist works that the demise of the Master took place in the eighties of the fifth Century B. C. although much reliance cannot be placed on the traditional chronology in the absence of further evidences about it.
THIRD SECTION
Kings Political History
The BhS throws some light upon the political history of its period by making a few statements of historical colouration, e. g. the incidental references to king Seņiya Bimbisāra and queen Cellanā of Magadha', the two great wars called Mahasilakantaka Sangrāma* and Rathamusala Sangrāmas, fought between king Vajjividehaputta Kūņiya (Ajātaśatru) of Campā and the Vaiśālian Confederacy of nine Mallakīs, nine Licchavīs, Kāší, Košalu, and their eighteen Ganarājas and the final victory of the Magadhan king over them at the time of Lord Mahāvīra, the mentions of king Udayana, the son of king Śatānīka and queen Mrgāvatī, the daughter of king Cetaka of Vaiśālī and the grandson of king Sahasrānīka, the nephew of princess Jayantī, king Udāyana of Sindhu-Sauvīra, his son, Abhijit Kumāra and his nephew, Keśikumāra and his coronation, king Mahāsena, king Siva of Hastināpura and some Ksatriya clans, such as, the Ugras, the Bhogas, the Kauravyas, the Ikşvākus, the Rājanyas, etc.?
It has already been discussed in the first section of the third chapter on 'Political Conditions that India was divided into sixteen great states--both monarchical and non-monarchical.
1 Bhs, 1, 1, 4. • Ib, 7, 9, 300. 4 11, 12, 1, 441. 6 16, 13, 6, 491. ? 16, 9, 33, 383; 20, 8.
3 16, 7, 9, 301.
16, 11, 9, 417.