Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 525

500
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATŤ SŪTRA
[Ch. VIII
regent to govern the state of Vatsa in his name. This suggestion is supported by the evidences of the Avašyaka Cūrņia in which it is recorded that on the sudden death of her husband, king Satānika, the royal sceptre of Vatsa fell on her and she acted as the queen-regent of her minor son, Udayana.
Queen Mrgavati cleverly rejected the renewed demand of Pradyota to marry him by requesting him to allow her postpone her consent till Udayana attained his youth and became capable enough of governing the kingdom independently without her regency, as the Avanti king became unsuccessful in his attempt to secure her by following the path of war with her husband, king Śatānika, being enamoured with her beauty.
After this event one day queen Mrgāvati joined the Nirgrantha order of Lord Mahāvīra as nun with the permission of Pradyota in the presence of the Master before whom it was impossible for the Avanta king to refuse her request. At the same time she very cleverly entrusted her son, Udayana to the care of king Pradyota. Thus she outwitted him and saved her chastity and dignity of womanhood like a queen.
There are many popular legends about king Udayana, his captivity by king Pradyota Mahāsena with a clever feat made through a wooden camouflaged elephant, his love affairs with Vāsavadattā, the daughter of the Avantz king and elopment of the princess and his war with Avanti, etc., which are running in the Jajna, Buddhist* and Brahmaņical' works. It is difficult to find out the kernel of the historical truth from these messes of popular fables.
It appears from all these facts that king Udayana was a great king who earned glory by his victory over some of his contemporary rulers and made matrimonial alliances with the
1 Bhs, 12, 2 442.
Ävasyaka Curni, p. 88f. 3 Avaśyaka Cūrni-II; Vide, Life in Ancient India : Dr. J. C.
Jain. p. 399. 4 Commentary on Dhammapada, vv. 21-23. 6 Svapnavasavadatta of Bhāsa.