Bimbisāra (in Buddhist tradition) or Shrenika () and Seniya () in the Jain histories ([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. .] or [Keay, John: India: A History. Revised and Updated: "The date of (given the Buddhist 'short chronology') must have been around 400 BC."]) was
the King of Magadha ([V. K. Agnihotri (ed.), Indian History. Allied Publishers, New Delhi 262010, p. 166 f.] or [Keay, India: A History]) and belonged to the Haryanka dynasty.[Peter N. Stearns (2001), The Encyclopedia of World History. Houghton Mifflin, p. 76 ff. .] He was the son of Bhattiya. 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.
According to Jain Tradition, he is said to be the first Tirthankara ( will be named as Padmanabha / Mahapadma) out of 24 Tirthankara of the future cosmic age.
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).
Life
Bimbisara was the son of Bhattiya, a chieftain. He ascended to throne at the age of 15 in 543 BCE. He established the Haryanka dynasty and laid the foundations of Magadha with the fortification of a village, which later became the city of Pataliputra. Bimbisara's first capital was at Girivraja (identified with Rajgir). 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 Village. 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.
His court is said to have included Sona Kolivisa, Sumana (flower gatherer), Koliya (minister), Kumbhaghosaka (treasurer) and Jivaka (physician).
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 Pasenadi. His bride brought him Varanasi as dowry.[Eck, Diana. (1998) Banaras, Columbia University Press. p. 45. .] 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 Jainism[Luniya, Bhanwarlal Nathuram. (1967) Evolution of Indian Culture, Lakshmi Narain Agarwal. p. 114.] His third wife, Khema, was a daughter of the chief of the Madra clan of Punjab.[Krishna, Narendra. (1944) History of India, A. Mukherjee & bros. p. 90.] Mahavagga depicts him having 500 wives.
Death
As per Buddhism, due to influence by Devadatta (a Bhikkhu), Bimbisāra was assassinated by his son Ajatashatru in , who then succeeded him to the throne. However, as per Jainism, Bimbisāra committed suicide.
Traditional accounts
Jainism
Bimbisara is referred to as Shrenika of Rajgir in Jain literature who became a devotee of Jainism impressed by the calmness of Jain monasticism Yamadhar.
Buddhism
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 , a degree of enlightenment in Buddhist teachings.
Citations
Sources
See also
