________________ 130 Homage to Vaisali Bhaggas, the Koliyas, the Mallas of Pava, the Mallas of Kusinara and the Moriyas. Such was the state of the country (republic), east of Kosala between the Himalayas and the Gaoga in the 7th and 6th centuries B. C., when two great leaders of humanity, Lord Mahavira and Lord Buddha, appeared on the horizon to spread the gospel of peace (Santi), love, kindness (Karuna) and (Ahimsa). With the conquest of the country and the occupation of Vaisali by Bimbisara's son, Ajatasatru, Vaisali ceased to be a republic and the entire region came under the sovereignty of Magadha. The cause of the transition from monarchy to republic is shrouded in mystery. It is too well known to be recounted here that both the spiritual leaders Lord Mahavira and the Baddha lived when Bimbisara and Ajatasatru were ruling in Magadha. Mahavira was related to Ajatas atru. Their advent was none too soon and was well timed. It was at a critical time when the republics were crumbling, empires were being founded, avarice for power and cynical disregard of quiet life, disturbed the peace of the people to the extent of making them loose their faith in the values of religion, theology, philosophy and the like, emanated these two great leaders from a background of penance, discipline and renunciation. Both were enlightened, Mahavira as a Kevali and the Buddha with Bodhi. Mahavira was born in Kundagrama or Kundapura in Vaisali proper. The centre of Kundagrama was a place called Kollaga or Naya-Kula which was the home of the Jnatrkas, in whose family Mahavira was born. He was hailed as the Jina of Vaisali : विशाला जननी यस्य विशालं कुलमेव च। विशालं वचनं चास्य तेन वैशालिको जिनः / / - taiatearic T, 30 R; GEOR. MAHAVIRA AND VAISALI - The life story of Mahavira is briefly as follows: Vardhamana or Mabavira, as he is popularly called, had, like the first Tirthankara Rsabhadeva, previous existences or Bhavas., viz., (1) a lion, (2) a deva, (3) Kanako jvala, a Vidyadhara king, (4) a deva, (5) Harigena, king of Ayodhya, (6) a deva (7) Priyamitra, a monarch (Cakravartin), (8) a deva by name Suryaprabha, (9) Nanda, king of Cakrakaranagara, (10) Acyutendra. He was born to King Siddhartha of the Natha-Lineage (Vansa), who was the lord of Kundapura (Kunda
