Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 88

Sec, I]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
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These states flourished during the period between the rise of Vaiji to power after the downfall of Videha and the annexation of Kāść to the Košulan empire by king Mabākošala in the later half of the 6th century B. C.
It is clear from the above evidences that Anga, Magadha, Vatsa, Vajji, Kāśż and Kośala are common to both the lists of sixteen great states given in the Bhs and the Buddhist Anguttara Nikāya. Málavaka and Moli of the Bhs may probably be identi. cal with Avanti and Malla of the Anguttara Nikāya respectively.
In addition to the above eight states, other new states mentioned in the list of the Bhs clearly show the knowledge of the political geography of the far east and the extreme south of India, possessed by its author at that period. This wider geographical horizon of India as described here indicates the more lateness of its list of states than that of the one referred to in the Buddhist Anguttara Nikāya.'
The Bhs thus clearly reveals the political condition of India prevailing during the time of Lord Mabāvīra (i. e. the 6th century B. C. to the 5th century B. C.), which will fully be discussed in detail in the second section of this chapter.
SECOND SECTION
Factors of political condition. Among those above mentionei sixteen great states (Solas Mahājanapadas) the most famous states of North-Eastern India were Kāść, Košala, Vajji (Vțjji), and Magadha which flourished
I P. H. A. I., Dr. H. C. Ray Chaudhuri, p. 96, F.Note.1.
"Mr. E. J. Thomas suggests (History of Buddhist Thought, p. 6) that the Jaina author who makes no mention of the northern Kamboja and Gandhāra but includes several South Indian peoples in his list", "wrote in South India and compiled his list from countries that he knew". Dr. H.C. Raychaudhuri argues "If the writer was really ignorant of the northern peoples, his Mālavas could not have been in the Punjab and must be located in Central India. In that case his account can hardly be assigned to a very early date',