Influence of Jainism on Kunika Ajatasatru Kunika Ajatashatru was a king of the Magadha Empire in north India. He was the son of King Bimbisara. Ajatashatru from the very beginning has been represented as a Jain in all the holy Jain texts. These literatures throw light on almost all the incidents connected with his life. The first holy text Upanga, Uvavai mainly highlights upon the relations of Kunika with Lord Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Jain Tirthankara. According to these texts he met Lord Mahavira at Vaishali and Champa several times. In the Jain sutras it is stated that Ajatashatru declared his strong conviction upon the ideas of Mahavira. It was for his ideas that Ajatashatru was initiated into his religion. The philosophy of Mahavira and his ideas of renunciation and non-violence greatly appealed him. He is said to have appointed an officer 'Pravrttivaduka Purusa', who informed the king of the activities of Mahavira's daily life. An idol of Mahavira has also been found at Mathura. The idol is said to have been built during the 5th century B.C. There is an inscription on this idol that states that king Ajatashatru worshipped Lord Mahavira. This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to content@indianetzone.com |