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IIO
TRIBES IN ANCIENT INDIA
After Bimbisara's death, Pasenadi withdrew the gift from Ajātaśatru, and this led to a war between Kośala and Magadha. Pasenadi was defeated in three campaigns, but in another battle he avenged his defeat, and took possession of Kāśī. However, Pasenadi treated Ajātaśatru generously, giving him his daughter in marriage, and even bestowing the disputed village on her as a wedding gift.1 In the Digha Nikaya we read that Pasenadi, king of Kāśī, used to collect taxes from the inhabitants of these two countries. He used to share the income with his subordinates.2 The Mahavagga,3 however, mentions a Käsika-rajā (king of Kāśī) who sent a robe to Jivaka. Buddhaghoşa says that this was a brother of Pasenadi and son of the same father. He was probably a sub-king of Pasenadi.5 Later, when Ajataśatru succeeded in establishing his sway over Kośala, Kāśī too was included in his dominions (see Chapter on Kośala).
The Sumangalavilasini, referring to the more ancient period of Kāśī, mentions a certain Rama, king of Kāśī, who had an attack of leprosy, in consequence of which he became distasteful to the members of his harem, and the dancing girls. Being much distressed, he left his kingdom in charge of his eldest son, went to a forest, and was soon cured of the disease by living on leaves and fruits. His body now appeared like gold. He dwelt in a tree-hole, and later married the daughter of King Okkāka (Skt. Ikṣvāku). Thirty-two sons were born to him; and these sons afterwards built the city named Kola, and became known as Koliyas. There were intermarriages between the Koliyas and the Sakyas (other descendants of Okkaka) down to the time of the Buddha Gautama.
The names of several other kings of Benares are mentioned in the Jātakas, among them being those of Anga, Uggasena, Udaya, Dhanañjaya, Vissasena, Kalabu (Jātaka, III, 39), and Samyama. The Suttanipata Commentary on the Khaggavisāna Sutta contains the names of several kings of Benares who renounced the world and became paccekabuddhas. The Ceylon Chronicles mention the names of others who reigned in Benares, e.g. Duppasaha and sixty of his descendants; Aśoka, son of Samankara, and 84,000 of his descendants; also sixteen kings, ancestors of Okkāka. Sometimes the king is referred to merely as Kāśī-rājā. In the Jātaka (III, p. 28) we are told that a king of Benares used to learn Vedic hymns from his family priest (purohita).
1 Samyutta Nikaya, I, pp. 82-5.
3 Vin., I, 281.
2 I, pp. 228-9.
4 Vinaya Texts, II, 195, n. 2.
5 Malalasekera, Dictionary of Pali Proper Names, s.v. Kāśī. 6 Sumangalavilasini, Pt. I, pp. 260-2; vide also chapter on Koliyas. 7 Mahavamsa Tīkā, 127, 129, 130.
