Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

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Moli (Malla)
Moli of the BhS is the Malla country of the Anguttara Nikaya. This Malla territory is also mentioned in the Mahabharata as the Malla-Rastra which was divided into two partsMalla proper and the southern Malla." This evidence of two units of Malla is also corroborated by the Buddhist works which state that it was partitioned into two zones with their respective capitals at Kuśāvati or Kuśinārā (modern Kasia) and Pāvā.
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
The Malla territory was hallowed by the sacred visits of Lord Mahāvīra and Lord Buddha respectively. The Mallakis and the Licchavis were closely united in their war with king Kunika-Ajātasatru of Magadha."
[Ch. IX
These evidences show that Moli (Malla) lay on the mountain slopes to the east of the Sakya land and to the north of the Vajji Confederacy.R
Avāha
Kāśī
Avaha has not yet been identified.
Kasi figures also prominently as a distinct territorial unit with its capital city as Varanasi in other Jain texts, Brāhmaṇical10 and Buddhist" works and epigraphic records" which throw much light ubon its political, social, economic and cultural history.
1 Anguttara Nikaya (P. T. S. 1.213; IV. 252, 256, 260). Mahabharata, VI, 9, 34.
Ib, II, 33, 3 and 12.
4 Kusa Jataka, No. 531; etc.
5
Kalpa Sutra, Jaina Sutras, pt. 1, p. 264.
Vide, Hindu Polity, p. 43 (Jat. 111, 157; 1, 2, 127. 4, 198-99, p. 44, f.n 12, M. P.S. 6. 23).
7 Bh8, 7, 9, 300-301
8 Buddhist India, p. 16., see also C. A. G. 1 (1924) 714, Vide, P.H.A. I, 5th Ed., p. 12; C. A. G. I., pp. 430-3.
9 Nirayavaliya Sutta 1, Uvasagadasão II, 90-8.
10 Vedic Index, II, 116. n. (Atharva Veda) Samkhyayana Srauta Sutras, XVI, 29.5. Satapatha Brahmana, XIII, 5, 4, 19, Panini, 4, 2, 116; Rama. Adikanda, 13th Sarga, etc., Mbh. Udyogaparva, Ch. 117, p. 746.
11 Anguttara Nikaya, 1. 213. Digha Nikaya II, 1. 46. 13 Madhainagara grant of Lakṣmaṇa Sena. Cf. E. I., XXVI, pt. I India office plate of Lakṣmaṇa Sena.