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Vol. XX, No. 4
Bharata, it was said that after learning the pure creed, which is adorned by truth and righteousness, he gave up Bharatavarṣa and all pleasure, and became ascetic. The pure Creed is defined thus, A wiseman believes in the existence of soul, he avoides the heresy of the non-existence of the soul, possessing true faith, one should practice the very difficult law according to the faith. Next to Bharata was Sagara, who likewise give up the Ocean-girt Bhāratavarsa, and his unrivalled kingly power and reached perfection through compassion. The Maghavan, a universal monarch of great power, who also gave up the sovereignty of Bharatavarsa before taking to the life of pure faith.
Another Cakravartin king was Sanat Kumar, who abdicated in favour of his son before practising austerities. Santi, the next monarch was followed by some saint. He was succeded by king Kundhu, the bull of the Aikṣvāku race, who likewise became a member of the same order. Then came Ara, who also gave up the sovereignty of the sea-girt Bharatavarsa, befor becoming perfect. Mahapadama forsook his large kingdom, arms, war chariots and exquisite pleasures before becoming likewise perfect. He was followed by Harisena, Jaya, Dasarnabhadra, the king of Dasarna, Karakandu of Kalinga, Dvimukh of Paṇicāla Nami of Videha, Naggati or Nugnajit of Gandhāra, Velyana of Sauvira, Nandan of Kasi, Vijaya, the son of Brahmaraja of Dvārakāvatī and Mahabala of Hastinapura 8
The above mentioned long list of universal monarchs as given in the Jaina canonical literature proves, firstly that the concept of universal monarch was same as that among the ancient Hindus and secondly that amongest the latter, there were many illustrious name in the Jaina history of rulers, who after enjoying sovereignty for long time, abandoned it for attaining salvation.
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Jaina Canonical works describe the nature of ancient Indian republics also. Republics was a group with main Characteristic of possessing a mind e. g. the gana of the mullas, and the gana of pura. Its non social use is painted in music (bhava-gana). Non-constitutional ganas had according to the commentary, lack of mentality and purpose (in making up the groups) e.g. Vasu-gana (the Vasu gods). The constitutional gana is real gana and in the eye of Jain authority, it has a mind, it is an organised conscious body of men like political assembly and the corporate pura (assembly)? The Achārānga Sutra, in its section dealing with the rules for daily life of the mooks and nuns, prohibits them to enter certain type of states, lest he or she is taken to be a spy and put to torture. One of these states is a Gana Rajyani (Ganarajyani). It also prohibit them on their begging tour to
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