Bimbisāra (in Buddhist tradition) or Shrenika (Śreṇika) and Seniya (Seṇiya) in the Jain histories[2][3] (c. 558 – c. 491 BCE[4][5] or during the late 5th century BCE[6]) was a King of Magadha (r. 543 – 492 BCE[7] or c. 400 BCE[8]) and belonged to the Haryanka dynasty.[9] He was the son of Bhattiya.[10] His expansion of the kingdom, especially his annexation of the kingdom of Anga to the east, is considered to have laid the foundations for the later expansion of the Mauryan Empire.[11]
Bimbisara
King Bimbisara, depicted in Burmese art, offering his kingdom to the Buddha.
According to Jain Tradition, he is said to be the first Tirthankara (will be named as Padmanabha / Mahapadma) out of 24th Tirthankara of the future cosmic age.[12] He frequently visited Samavasarana of Lord Mahavira seeking answers to his queries.[13]
According to Buddhist Tradition, he is also known for his cultural achievements and was a great friend and protector of the Buddha. According to the 7th century Chinese monk Xuanzang, Bimbisara built the city of Rajgir (Rajagriha).[7] He was succeeded on the throne by his son Ajatashatru.[11]
Map of the eastern Gangetic plain before Bimbisāra's conquests (Licchavi's dependencies, in green, and Malla shown separately)
King Bimbisara visits the Bamboo Garden (Venuvana) in Rajagriha; artwork from Sanchi
Bimbisara was the son of Bhattiya, a chieftain. He ascended to throne at the age of 15 in 543 BCE.[14] He established the Haryanka dynasty and laid the foundations of Magadha with the fortification of a village, which later became the city of Pataliputra.[15] Bimbisara's first capital was at Girivraja (identified with Rajagriha). He led a military campaign against Anga, perhaps to avenge his father's earlier defeat at the hands of its king, Brahmadatta. The campaign was successful, Anga was annexed, and prince Kunika (Ajatashatru) was appointed governor at Champa.[16] His conquest of Anga gave Magadha control over the routes to the Ganges Delta, which had important ports that gave access to the eastern coast of India.[17][18]Pukkusati, the king of Gandhara, sent Bimbisara an embassy.[14]
His court is said to have included Sona Kolivisa, Sumana (flower gatherer), Koliya (minister), Kumbhaghosaka (treasurer) and Jivaka (physician).[19]
Marriage alliances
Bimbisara used marriage alliances to strengthen his position. His first wife was Kosala Devi, the daughter of Mahā Kosala, the king of Kosala, and a sister of Prasenajit.[20] His bride brought him Kashi as dowry.[21] This marriage also ended the hostility between Magadha and Kosala and gave him a free hand in dealing with the other states. His second wife, Chellana, was a Licchavi princess from Vaishali and daughter of the Jain[22] king Chetaka.[23] His third wife, Kshema, was a daughter of the chief of the Madra clan of Punjab.[24]Mahavagga depicts him having 500 wives.[14]
Death
Bimbisara's jail, where King Bimbisara was imprisoned, in Rajgir
As per Buddhism, due to influence by Dustabandu Divadatt (a Buddhist monk), Bimbisara was assassinated by his son Ajatashatru in c. 493 BCE, who then succeeded him to the throne. However, as per Jainism, Bimbisara committed suicide.[17]
Per Jain scripture, Bimbisara killed himself in a fit of passion, after his son had imprisoned him. Consequently, he was reborn in hell, where he is currently residing, until the karma which led to his birth there comes to an end.[30][31] It is further written, that he will be reborn as Mahapadma (sometimes called Padmanabha), the first in the chain of future tirthankaras who are to rise at the beginning of the upward motion (Utsarpini) of the next era of time.[32]
Buddhism
Bimbisara with his royal cortege issuing from the city of Rajagriha to visit the Buddha
Bimbisara welcomes the Buddha
According to Buddhist scriptures, King Bimbisara met the Buddha for the first time prior to the Buddha's enlightenment, and later became an important disciple that featured prominently in certain Buddhist suttas. He is recorded to have attained sotapannahood, a degree of enlightenment in Buddhist teachings.[33] Although Bimbisara let the women in his palace visit Buddha in his monastery in the evenings; the women wanted a hair-and-nail stupa they could use to venerate the Buddha any time. Bimbisara spoke with Buddha who complied with their request.[34]
Others
According to Puranas, Bimbisara ruled Magadha for a period of 28 or 38 years. Sinhalese chronicles date his reign to be of 52 years.[35]
References
Citations
^Chandra, Jnan (1958). "SOME UNKNOWN FACTS ABOUT BIMBISĀRA". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. Indian History Congress. 21: 215–217.
^Hugh George Rawlinson (1950), A Concise History of the Indian People. Oxford University Press, p. 46.
^F. Max Muller (2001): The Dhammapada And Sutta-nipata. Routledge (UK), p. xlvii. ISBN0-7007-1548-7.
^Keay, John: India: A History. Revised and Updated: "The date [of Buddha's meeting with Bimbisara] (given the Buddhist 'short chronology') must have been around 400 BC."
^ abV. K. Agnihotri (ed.), Indian History. Allied Publishers, New Delhi 262010, p. 166 f.
bimbisara, confused, with, bindusara, telugu, language, film, film, bimbisāra, buddhist, tradition, shrenika, Śreṇika, seniya, seṇiya, jain, histories, during, late, century, king, magadha, belonged, haryanka, dynasty, bhattiya, expansion, kingdom, especially,. Not to be confused with Bindusara For the Telugu language film see Bimbisara film Bimbisara in Buddhist tradition or Shrenika Sreṇika and Seniya Seṇiya in the Jain histories 2 3 c 558 c 491 BCE 4 5 or during the late 5th century BCE 6 was a King of Magadha r 543 492 BCE 7 or c 400 BCE 8 and belonged to the Haryanka dynasty 9 He was the son of Bhattiya 10 His expansion of the kingdom especially his annexation of the kingdom of Anga to the east is considered to have laid the foundations for the later expansion of the Mauryan Empire 11 BimbisaraKing Bimbisara depicted in Burmese art offering his kingdom to the Buddha Founder of Haryanka dynastyReignc 544 c 492 BCE 52 years PredecessorBhattiyaSuccessorAjatashatruClan and noble familyHaryankaBorn558 BCEDied491 BCSpouseKosala DeviChellanaDhariniKṣema KhemaNanda 1 Padmavati PadumavatiAmbapaliIssueAjatashatruDynastyHaryankaFatherBhattiyaReligionJainism BuddhismAccording to Jain Tradition he is said to be the first Tirthankara will be named as Padmanabha Mahapadma out of 24th Tirthankara of the future cosmic age 12 He frequently visited Samavasarana of Lord Mahavira seeking answers to his queries 13 According to Buddhist Tradition he is also known for his cultural achievements and was a great friend and protector of the Buddha According to the 7th century Chinese monk Xuanzang Bimbisara built the city of Rajgir Rajagriha 7 He was succeeded on the throne by his son Ajatashatru 11 Contents 1 Life 1 1 Marriage alliances 1 2 Death 2 Traditional accounts 2 1 Jainism 2 2 Buddhism 2 3 Others 3 References 3 1 Citations 3 2 Sources 4 See alsoLife Edit Map of the eastern Gangetic plain before Bimbisara s conquests Licchavi s dependencies in green and Malla shown separately King Bimbisara visits the Bamboo Garden Venuvana in Rajagriha artwork from Sanchi Bimbisara was the son of Bhattiya a chieftain He ascended to throne at the age of 15 in 543 BCE 14 He established the Haryanka dynasty and laid the foundations of Magadha with the fortification of a village which later became the city of Pataliputra 15 Bimbisara s first capital was at Girivraja identified with Rajagriha He led a military campaign against Anga perhaps to avenge his father s earlier defeat at the hands of its king Brahmadatta The campaign was successful Anga was annexed and prince Kunika Ajatashatru was appointed governor at Champa 16 His conquest of Anga gave Magadha control over the routes to the Ganges Delta which had important ports that gave access to the eastern coast of India 17 18 Pukkusati the king of Gandhara sent Bimbisara an embassy 14 His court is said to have included Sona Kolivisa Sumana flower gatherer Koliya minister Kumbhaghosaka treasurer and Jivaka physician 19 Marriage alliances Edit Bimbisara used marriage alliances to strengthen his position His first wife was Kosala Devi the daughter of Maha Kosala the king of Kosala and a sister of Prasenajit 20 His bride brought him Kashi as dowry 21 This marriage also ended the hostility between Magadha and Kosala and gave him a free hand in dealing with the other states His second wife Chellana was a Licchavi princess from Vaishali and daughter of the Jain 22 king Chetaka 23 His third wife Kshema was a daughter of the chief of the Madra clan of Punjab 24 Mahavagga depicts him having 500 wives 14 Death Edit Bimbisara s jail where King Bimbisara was imprisoned in Rajgir As per Buddhism due to influence by Dustabandu Divadatt a Buddhist monk Bimbisara was assassinated by his son Ajatashatru in c 493 BCE who then succeeded him to the throne However as per Jainism Bimbisara committed suicide 17 Traditional accounts EditJainism Edit Bimbisara is referred to as Shrenika 25 3 of Rajgir in Jain literature who became a devotee of Jainism impressed by the calmness of Jain Mun Yamadhar 26 27 He frequently visited Samavasarana of Lord Mahavira seeking answers to his queries He asked about the jain Ramayana 13 and an illuminating sage King Prasana 28 He is said to be a Balabhadra in one of his previous lives 29 Per Jain scripture Bimbisara killed himself in a fit of passion after his son had imprisoned him Consequently he was reborn in hell where he is currently residing until the karma which led to his birth there comes to an end 30 31 It is further written that he will be reborn as Mahapadma sometimes called Padmanabha the first in the chain of future tirthankaras who are to rise at the beginning of the upward motion Utsarpini of the next era of time 32 Buddhism Edit Bimbisara with his royal cortege issuing from the city of Rajagriha to visit the Buddha Bimbisara welcomes the Buddha According to Buddhist scriptures King Bimbisara met the Buddha for the first time prior to the Buddha s enlightenment and later became an important disciple that featured prominently in certain Buddhist suttas He is recorded to have attained sotapannahood a degree of enlightenment in Buddhist teachings 33 Although Bimbisara let the women in his palace visit Buddha in his monastery in the evenings the women wanted a hair and nail stupa they could use to venerate the Buddha any time Bimbisara spoke with Buddha who complied with their request 34 Others Edit According to Puranas Bimbisara ruled Magadha for a period of 28 or 38 years Sinhalese chronicles date his reign to be of 52 years 35 References EditCitations Edit Chandra Jnan 1958 SOME UNKNOWN FACTS ABOUT BIMBISARA Proceedings of the Indian History Congress Proceedings of the Indian History Congress Indian History Congress 21 215 217 von Glasenapp 1999 p 40 41 a b Jain amp Upadhye 2000 p 59 Hugh George Rawlinson 1950 A Concise History of the Indian People Oxford University Press p 46 F Max Muller 2001 The Dhammapada And Sutta nipata Routledge UK p xlvii ISBN 0 7007 1548 7 Keay John India A History Revised and Updated The date of Buddha s meeting with Bimbisara given the Buddhist short chronology must have been around 400 BC a b V K Agnihotri ed Indian History Allied Publishers New Delhi 262010 p 166 f Keay India A History Peter N Stearns 2001 The Encyclopedia of World History Houghton Mifflin p 76 ff ISBN 0 395 65237 5 Raychaudhuri 1923 p 97 a b Bimbisara Encyclopaedia Britannica Online Retrieved 25 January 2013 Dundas Paul 2 September 2003 The Jains Routledge ISBN 978 1 134 50165 6 a b Dalal Roshen 2010 Hinduism An Alphabetical Guide India Penguin Books p 338 ISBN 9780143414216 a b c Sen 1999 p 112 Sastri 1988 p 11 Upinder Singh 2016 p 269 a b Thapar Romila 2002 Early India From the Origins to AD 1300 University of California Press pp 152 154 ISBN 0 520 24225 4 Kailash Chand Jain 1972 p 99 Upinder Singh 2016 p 270 Upinder Singh 2016 p 271 Eck Diana 1998 Banaras Columbia University Press p 45 ISBN 0 231 11447 8 Datta Amaresh 1988 Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature Devraj to Jyoti Sahitya Akademi ISBN 978 81 260 1194 0 Luniya Bhanwarlal Nathuram 1967 Evolution of Indian Culture Lakshmi Narain Agarwal p 114 Krishna Narendra 1944 History of India A Mukherjee amp bros p 90 Dundas 2002 p 36 Queen Chelna and King Shrenik archived from the original on 13 April 2019 retrieved 21 September 2015 Datta Amaresh 1988 Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature Devraj to Jyoti Sahitya Akademi ISBN 978 81 260 1194 0 Leshyas Choksi Mansi Chhapia Hemali 10 February 2011 Now meet Ravan the saint The Times of India Jaini 1998 p 228 Dundas 2002 p 41 Dundas 2002 p 40 41 KTS Sarai Jeffrey D Long ed 2017 Buddhism and Jainism doi 10 1007 978 94 024 0852 2 94 John S Strong 2007 Relics of the Buddha p 72 ISBN 978 0691117645 Kailash Chand Jain 1991 p 88 Sources Edit Dundas Paul 2002 1992 The Jains Second ed Routledge ISBN 0 415 26605 X Jain Hiralal Upadhye Dr Adinath Neminath 2000 Mahavira his Times and his Philosophy of Life Bharatiya Jnanpith Jain Kailash Chand 1972 Malwa Through the Ages First ed Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 81 208 0805 8 Jain Kailash Chand 1991 Lord Mahavira and His Times Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 81 208 0805 8 Jaini Padmanabh S 1998 1979 The Jaina Path of Purification Delhi Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 81 208 1578 5 Raychaudhuri Hemchandra 1923 Political History of Ancient India University of Calcutta Sastri Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta ed 1988 1967 Age of the Nandas and Mauryas Second ed Delhi Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 81 208 0465 1 Sen Sailendra Nath 1999 1988 Ancient Indian History and Civilization Second ed New Age International Publishers ISBN 81 224 1198 3 Singh G P Early Indian Historical Tradition and Archaeology p 164 Singh Upinder 2016 A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India From the Stone Age to the 12th Century Pearson Education ISBN 978 93 325 6996 6 von Glasenapp Helmuth 1999 Jainism An Indian Religion of Salvation Der Jainismus Eine Indische Erlosungsreligion Shridhar B Shrotri trans Delhi Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 81 208 1376 6See also EditAvanti Magadhan WarsRegnal titlesPreceded byBhattiya King of Magadha543 491 BC Succeeded byAjatashatru Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bimbisara amp oldid 1135688845, 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