Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 526

Sec. III] STUDIES IN THE BHAGAVATI SŪTRA
501 royal families of Avantī,” Anga,' and Magadha. His career was short and meteoric. King Siva
King Siva was the ruler of the small kingdom of Hastināpura". After having installed his son, Sivabhadra on its throne the king took to the Vånaprastha ascetic life by getting himself initiated by the Dišāproksina ascetics. Later on he was converted by Lord Mahāvīra to Sramaņa Dharma with proper initiation from Vănaprastha stage of life. King Udāyana of Sindhu-Sauvīra
King Udāyana® ruled over the united kingdom of SindhuSauvīra with its capital at Vitibhaya by exercising his authority over sixteen states, three hundred and sixty-three cities, Mahāsena and other ten unnamed subordinate kings and the dignitaries of the state, such as, Rājeśvara, Talavara, etc.
As already mentioned in connection with the topic 'Royal Succession' in the second section of the third chapter the king undertook the state of houselessness, getting himself initiated by Lord Mahāvīra, after having placed his nephew, Keśīkumāra in the affairs of the kingdom instead of his own son, Abhijit-Kumāra on the ground of his spiritual welfare. This evidence of joining the ascetic order by king Udāyana is also corroborated by that of the Āvašyaka Cūrni.?
The study of the references to sixteen states not specifically mentioned, Mabāsena and other ten unnamed kings, the matrimonial relation of king Udāyana with the president-king of Vaišālī and the political asylum of the prince, Abhijit Kumāra in the court of Kūņika of Campā throws a welcome light upon the interstate relation as existing during that period.
1 Commentary on Dhammapada, vv. 21-23. : The Priyadarsikā of Sri Harsa; Vide P.H.A.I. 5th Ed. p. 203. : P.H.A.I. 5th Ed. p. 203.
- Bhs, 11, 9, 417-18. 6 Ib, 11, 9, 418.
6 Ib, 13, 6, 491. 7 Âvasyaka Cūrni, ll, p. 171 f. See also p. 36 (he was poisoned
to death by minister's son later on).