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m Disambiguating links to Magadha (link changed to Magadha (Mahajanapada); link changed to Magadha (Mahajanapada); link changed to Magadha (Mahajanapada); link changed to Magadha (Mahajanapada)) using DisamAssist.
 
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{{Short description|Haryanka dynasty king of Magadha (c.558–c.491 BCE)}}
{{Short description|Haryanka dynasty king of Magadha (c.558–c.491 BCE)}}
{{Distinguish|Bindusara}}
{{Distinguish|Bindusara}}
{{About||the Telugu-language film|Bimbisara (film)}}
{{About||the 2022 Indian film|Bimbisara (film)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
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| birth_date = 558 BCE or 472 BCE
| birth_date = 558 BCE or 472 BCE
| birth_place =
| birth_place =
| death_date = 491 BC or 405 BCE
| death_date = 491 BCE or 405 BCE
| death_place = Bimbisar Jail, [[Rajgriha]], [[Magadha (Mahajanapada)|Magadha]], [[Haryanka dynasty|Haryanka Empire]]
| death_place =
| dynasty = [[Haryanka dynasty|Haryanka]]
| dynasty = [[Haryanka dynasty|Haryanka]]
| caption = Bimbisara with his royal cortege issuing from the city of Rajagriha to visit the Buddha.
| caption = Bimbisara with his royal cortege issuing from the city of Rajagriha to visit the Buddha.
| succession = Founder of [[Haryanka dynasty]]
| succession = [[List of monarchs of Magadha#House of Haryanka|King of Magadha]]
| reign = {{circa|544|491 BCE}} or {{circa|457|405 BCE}} (52 years)
| reign = {{circa|544|492 BCE}} or {{circa|457|405 BCE}} (52 years)
| predecessor = Bhattiya
| predecessor = Bhattiya (as Chieftain)
| successor = [[Ajatashatru]]
| successor = [[Ajatashatru]]
| father = Bhattiya
| father = Bhattiya
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[[Khema|Kṣemā / Khemā]]<br>Nandā<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Chandra |first1=Jnan |title=SOME UNKNOWN FACTS ABOUT BIMBISĀRA |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |date=1958 |volume=21 |pages=215–217 |publisher=Indian History Congress}}</ref><br>Padmāvatī / Padumavatī<br>[[Amrapali|Ambapālī]]
[[Khema|Kṣemā / Khemā]]<br>Nandā<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Chandra |first1=Jnan |title=SOME UNKNOWN FACTS ABOUT BIMBISĀRA |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |date=1958 |volume=21 |pages=215–217 |publisher=Indian History Congress}}</ref><br>Padmāvatī / Padumavatī<br>[[Amrapali|Ambapālī]]
| issue = [[Ajatashatru]]
| issue = [[Ajatashatru]]
| religion = [[Jainism]], [[Buddhism]]
| religion = [[Jainism]]<br>[[Buddhism]]
| regent = [[Haryanka]]
| regent = [[Haryanka]]
| reg-type = [[Clan]] and [[noble family]]
| reg-type = [[Dynasty]]
}}
}}


'''Bimbisāra''' (in Buddhist tradition) or རྒྱལ་པོ་གཟུགས་ཅན་སྙིང་པོ་ (Tibetan) or '''Shrenika''' ({{transliteration|sa|Śreṇika}}) and '''Seniya''' ({{transliteration|sa|Seṇiya}}) in the [[Jain Agamas (Śvētāmbara)|Jain histories]]{{sfn|von Glasenapp|1999|p=40-41}}{{sfn|Jain|Upadhye|2000|p=59}} ({{Circa|558|491 BCE}}<ref>Hugh George Rawlinson (1950), ''A Concise History of the Indian People''. Oxford University Press, p. 46.</ref><ref>F. Max Muller (2001): ''The Dhammapada And Sutta-nipata''. Routledge (UK), p. xlvii. {{ISBN|0-7007-1548-7}}.</ref> or {{circa|472|405 BCE}}<ref name=Sarao>{{citation |last=Sarao |first=K. T. S. |title= The Ācariyaparamparā and Date of the Buddha. |journal=Indian Historical Review |volume=30 |issue=1–2 |year=2003 |pages=1–12 |doi=10.1177/037698360303000201 |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/037698360303000201}}</ref><ref>Keay, John: [https://books.google.com/books?id=0IquM4BrJ4YC&dq=bimbisara&pg=PT87 ''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."</ref>) was
'''Bimbisāra''' (in Buddhist tradition) or '''Shrenika''' ({{transliteration|sa|Śreṇika}}) and '''Seniya''' ({{transliteration|sa|Seṇiya}}) in the [[Jain Agamas (Śvētāmbara)|Jain histories]]{{sfn|von Glasenapp|1999|p=40-41}}{{sfn|Jain|Upadhye|2000|p=59}} ({{Circa|558|491 BCE}}<ref>Hugh George Rawlinson (1950), ''A Concise History of the Indian People''. Oxford University Press, p. 46.</ref><ref>F. Max Muller (2001): ''The Dhammapada And Sutta-nipata''. Routledge (UK), p. xlvii. {{ISBN|0-7007-1548-7}}.</ref> or {{circa|472|405 BCE}}<ref name=Sarao>{{citation |last=Sarao |first=K. T. S. |title= The Ācariyaparamparā and Date of the Buddha. |journal=Indian Historical Review |volume=30 |issue=1–2 |year=2003 |pages=1–12 |doi=10.1177/037698360303000201 |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/037698360303000201}}</ref><ref>Keay, John: [https://books.google.com/books?id=0IquM4BrJ4YC&dq=bimbisara&pg=PT87 ''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."</ref>) was
the King of [[Magadha]] ({{reign|543|492 BCE}}<ref name=IH>V. K. Agnihotri (ed.), ''Indian History''. Allied Publishers, New Delhi <sup>26</sup>2010, [https://books.google.com/books?id=MazdaWXQFuQC&dq=Indian%20History%20-APC&pg=SL1-PA166 p. 166] f.</ref> or {{reign|457|405 BCE}}<ref name=Sarao/><ref>Keay, ''India: A History''</ref>) and belonged to the [[Haryanka dynasty]].<ref name=Stearns>Peter N. Stearns (2001), ''The Encyclopedia of World History''. Houghton Mifflin, p. 76 ff. {{ISBN|0-395-65237-5}}.</ref> He was the son of Bhattiya.{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1923|p=97}} 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]].<ref name=be>{{cite web|title=Bimbisara|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/65488/Bimbisara|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Online|access-date=25 January 2013}}</ref>
the King of [[Magadha (Mahajanapada)|Magadha]] ({{reign|543|492 BCE}}<ref name=IH>V. K. Agnihotri (ed.), ''Indian History''. Allied Publishers, New Delhi <sup>26</sup>2010, [https://books.google.com/books?id=MazdaWXQFuQC&dq=Indian%20History%20-APC&pg=SL1-PA166 p. 166] f.</ref> or {{reign|457|405 BCE}}<ref name=Sarao/><ref>Keay, ''India: A History''</ref>) and belonged to the [[Haryanka dynasty]].<ref name=Stearns>Peter N. Stearns (2001), ''The Encyclopedia of World History''. Houghton Mifflin, p. 76 ff. {{ISBN|0-395-65237-5}}.</ref> He was the son of Bhattiya.{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|1923|p=97}} 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]].<ref name=be>{{cite web|title=Bimbisara|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/65488/Bimbisara|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Online|access-date=25 January 2013}}</ref>


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.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dundas|first=Paul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X8iAAgAAQBAJ|title=The Jains|date=2003-09-02|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-50165-6|language=en}}</ref> He frequently visited [[Samavasarana]] of Lord [[Mahavira]] seeking answers to his queries.<ref name=":1" />
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.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dundas|first=Paul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X8iAAgAAQBAJ|title=The Jains|date=2003-09-02|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-50165-6|language=en}}</ref> He frequently visited [[Samavasarana]] of Lord [[Mahavira]] seeking answers to his queries.<ref name=":1" />
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}}
}}
[[File:Bamboo garden (Venuvana) at Rajagriha, the visit of Bimbisara.jpg|thumb|King Bimbisara visits the Bamboo Garden (Venuvana) in [[Rajgir|Rajagriha]]; artwork from [[Sanchi]]]]
[[File:Bamboo garden (Venuvana) at Rajagriha, the visit of Bimbisara.jpg|thumb|King Bimbisara visits the Bamboo Garden (Venuvana) in [[Rajgir|Rajagriha]]; artwork from [[Sanchi]]]]
Bimbisara was the son of Bhattiya, a chieftain. He ascended to throne at the age of 15 in 543 BCE.{{sfn|Sen|1999|p=112}} He established the [[Haryanka dynasty]] and laid the foundations of [[Magadha]] with the fortification of a village, which later became the city of [[Pataliputra]].{{sfn|Sastri|1988|p=11}} Bimbisara's first capital was at ''Girivraja'' (identified with [[Rajgir|Rajagriha]]). He led a military campaign against [[Anga]], perhaps to avenge his father's earlier defeat at the hands of its king, ''[[Brahmadatta of Anga|Brahmadatta]]''. The campaign was successful, Anga was annexed, and prince ''Kunika'' ([[Ajatashatru]]) was appointed governor at [[Champa Village|Champa]].{{sfn|Upinder Singh|2016|p=269}} 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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Thapar|first=Romila|title=Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300|publisher=University of California Press|year=2002|isbn=0-520-24225-4|pages=152–154}}</ref>{{sfn|Kailash Chand Jain|1972|p=99}} [[Pushkarasarin|Pukkusati]], the king of [[Gandhara]], sent Bimbisara an embassy.{{sfn|Sen|1999|p=112}}
Bimbisara was the son of Bhattiya, a chieftain. He ascended to throne at the age of 15 in 543 BCE.{{sfn|Sen|1999|p=112}} He established the [[Haryanka dynasty]] and laid the foundations of [[Magadha (Mahajanapada)|Magadha]] with the fortification of a village, which later became the city of [[Pataliputra]].{{sfn|Sastri|1988|p=11}} Bimbisara's first capital was at ''Girivraja'' (identified with [[Rajgir|Rajagriha]]). He led a military campaign against [[Anga]], perhaps to avenge his father's earlier defeat at the hands of its king, ''[[Brahmadatta of Anga|Brahmadatta]]''. The campaign was successful, Anga was annexed, and prince ''Kunika'' ([[Ajatashatru]]) was appointed governor at [[Champa Village|Champa]].{{sfn|Upinder Singh|2016|p=269}} 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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Thapar|first=Romila|title=Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300|publisher=University of California Press|year=2002|isbn=0-520-24225-4|pages=152–154}}</ref>{{sfn|Kailash Chand Jain|1972|p=99}} [[Pushkarasarin|Pukkusati]], the king of [[Gandhara]], sent Bimbisara an embassy.{{sfn|Sen|1999|p=112}}


His court is said to have included Sona Kolivisa, Sumana (flower gatherer), Koliya (minister), Kumbhaghosaka (treasurer) and Jivaka (physician).{{sfn|Upinder Singh|2016|p=270}}
His court is said to have included Sona Kolivisa, Sumana (flower gatherer), Koliya (minister), Kumbhaghosaka (treasurer) and Jivaka (physician).{{sfn|Upinder Singh|2016|p=270}}
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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|Prasenajit]].{{sfn|Upinder Singh|2016|p=271}} His bride brought him [[Varanasi|Kashi]] as [[dowry]].<ref>Eck, Diana. (1998) ''Banaras'', Columbia University Press. p. 45. {{ISBN|0-231-11447-8}}.</ref> 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 (tribe)|Licchavi princess]] from [[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaishali]] and daughter of the [[Jainism|Jain]]<ref name="Datta 1988">{{Cite book|last=Datta|first=Amaresh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zB4n3MVozbUC&dq=Shrenika&pg=PA1779|title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Devraj to Jyoti|date=1988|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=978-81-260-1194-0|language=en}}</ref> king [[Chetaka]].<ref>Luniya, Bhanwarlal Nathuram. (1967) ''Evolution of Indian Culture'', Lakshmi Narain Agarwal. p. 114.</ref> His third wife, ''[[Khema|Kshema]]'', was a daughter of the chief of the [[Madra]] clan of [[Punjab]].<ref>Krishna, Narendra. (1944) ''History of India'', A. Mukherjee & bros. p. 90.</ref> ''Mahavagga'' depicts him having 500 wives.{{sfn|Sen|1999|p=112}}
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|Prasenajit]].{{sfn|Upinder Singh|2016|p=271}} His bride brought him [[Varanasi|Kashi]] as [[dowry]].<ref>Eck, Diana. (1998) ''Banaras'', Columbia University Press. p. 45. {{ISBN|0-231-11447-8}}.</ref> 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 (tribe)|Licchavi princess]] from [[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaishali]] and daughter of the [[Jainism|Jain]]<ref name="Datta 1988">{{Cite book|last=Datta|first=Amaresh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zB4n3MVozbUC&dq=Shrenika&pg=PA1779|title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Devraj to Jyoti|date=1988|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=978-81-260-1194-0|language=en}}</ref> king [[Chetaka]].<ref>Luniya, Bhanwarlal Nathuram. (1967) ''Evolution of Indian Culture'', Lakshmi Narain Agarwal. p. 114.</ref> His third wife, ''[[Khema|Kshema]]'', was a daughter of the chief of the [[Madra]] clan of [[Punjab]].<ref>Krishna, Narendra. (1944) ''History of India'', A. Mukherjee & bros. p. 90.</ref> ''Mahavagga'' depicts him having 500 wives.{{sfn|Sen|1999|p=112}}


===Imprisoned===
==== Death ====
[[Image:Bimbisarajail.jpg|thumb|Bimbisara's jail, where King Bimbisāra was imprisoned, in [[Rajgir]]]]
[[Image:Bimbisarajail.jpg|thumb|Bimbisara's jail, where King Bimbisāra was imprisoned, in [[Rajgir]]]]
As per Buddhism, due to influence by [[Devadatta|Dustabandu Divadatt]] (a [[Bhikkhu|Buddhist monk]]), Bimbisāra was assassinated by his son [[Ajatashatru]] in {{Circa|493 BCE}}, who then succeeded him to the throne. However, as per Jainism, Bimbisāra committed suicide.<ref name=":0" />
As per Buddhism, due to influence by [[Devadatta]] (a [[Bhikkhu|Buddhist monk]]), Bimbisāra was assassinated by his son [[Ajatashatru]] in {{Circa|493 BCE}}, who then succeeded him to the throne. However, as per Jainism, Bimbisāra committed suicide.<ref name=":0" />


==Traditional accounts==
==Traditional accounts==
=== Jainism ===
=== Jainism ===
Bimbisara is referred to as Shrenika{{sfn|Dundas|2002|p=36}}{{sfn|Jain|Upadhye|2000|p=59}} of [[Rajgir]] in [[Jain literature]] who became a devotee of [[Jainism]] impressed by the calmness of [[Jain monasticism|Jain Muni]] Yamadhar.<ref>{{citation|title=Queen Chelna and King Shrenik|url=http://www.jainworld.com/literature/story16.htm|access-date=21 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413083034/http://www.jainworld.com/literature/story16.htm|archive-date=13 April 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Datta 1988"/> He frequently visited [[Samavasarana]] of Lord [[Mahavira]] seeking answers to his queries. He asked about the jain [[Ramayana]]<ref name=":1">{{citation|last=Dalal|first=Roshen|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC|date=2010|publisher=[[Penguin Books]]|location=[[India]]|isbn=9780143414216|page=338}}</ref> and an illuminating sage (King Prasana).<ref>{{citation|title=Leshyas|url=http://umich.edu/~umjains/jainismsimplified/chapter12.html}}</ref> He is said to be a ''[[Balabhadra]]'' in one of his previous lives.<ref>{{citation|last1=Choksi|first1=Mansi|last2=Chhapia|first2=Hemali|title=Now, meet Ravan the saint|url=http://timesofindia.com/life-style/Now-meet-Ravan-the-saint/articleshow/6123749.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=10 February 2011}}</ref>
Bimbisara is referred to as Shrenika{{sfn|Dundas|2002|p=36}}{{sfn|Jain|Upadhye|2000|p=59}} of [[Rajgir]] in [[Jain literature]] who became a devotee of [[Jainism]] impressed by the calmness of [[Jain monasticism|Jain Muni]] Yamadhar.<ref>{{citation|title=Queen Chelna and King Shrenik|url=http://www.jainworld.com/literature/story16.htm|access-date=21 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413083034/http://www.jainworld.com/literature/story16.htm|archive-date=13 April 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Datta 1988"/> He frequently visited [[Samavasarana]] of [[Mahavira]] seeking answers to his queries. He asked about the jain [[Ramayana]]<ref name=":1">{{citation|last=Dalal|first=Roshen|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC|date=2010|publisher=[[Penguin Books]]|location=[[India]]|isbn=9780143414216|page=338}}</ref> and an illuminating sage (King Prasana).<ref>{{citation|title=Leshyas|url=http://umich.edu/~umjains/jainismsimplified/chapter12.html}}</ref> He is said to be a ''[[Balabhadra]]'' in one of his previous lives.<ref>{{citation|last1=Choksi|first1=Mansi|last2=Chhapia|first2=Hemali|title=Now, meet Ravan the saint|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/Now-meet-Ravan-the-saint/articleshow/6123749.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=10 February 2011}}</ref>
[[File:Padmanabh_Swami.jpg|thumb|An idol of Padmanabh Swami (Shrenika Maharaja), the first Tirthankara of the next time cycle as per Śvetāmbara iconography at Jain Center of Southern California, Buena Park, California]]

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 in Jainism|karma]] which led to his birth there comes to an end.{{sfn|Jaini|1998|p=228}}{{sfn|Dundas|2002|p=41}} It is further written, that he will be reborn as ''Mahapadma'' (sometimes called ''Padmanabha''), the first in the chain of future [[tirthankara]]s who are to rise at the beginning of the upward motion (''Utsarpini'') of the next era of time.{{sfn|Dundas|2002|p=40-41}}
Per [[Jain literature|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 in Jainism|karma]] which led to his birth there comes to an end.{{sfn|Jaini|1998|p=228}}{{sfn|Dundas|2002|p=41}} It is further written, that he will be reborn as ''Mahapadma'' (sometimes called ''Padmanabha''), the first in the chain of future [[tirthankara]]s who are to rise at the beginning of the upward motion (''Utsarpini'') of the next era of time.{{sfn|Dundas|2002|p=40-41}}


=== Buddhism ===
=== Buddhism ===
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===Others===
===Others===
According to [[Puranas]], Bimbisara ruled Magadha for a period of 28 or 38 years. [[Sinhala language|Sinhalese]] chronicles date his reign to be of 52 years.{{sfn|Kailash Chand Jain|1991|p=88}}
According to [[Puranas]], Bimbisara ruled Magadha for a period of 28 or 38 years. [[Sinhala language|Sinhalese]] chronicles date his reign to be of 52 years.{{sfn|Kailash Chand Jain|1991|p=88}} A fictionalised version of Bimbisara appears in the 2022 Indian film ''[[Bimbisara (film)|Bimbisara]]''.


==References==
==References==
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{{s-reg}}
{{s-reg}}
{{s-bef|before=Bhattiya}}
{{s-bef|before=Bhattiya}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Magadha|King of Magadha]]|years=543–491 BC}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Magadha (Mahajanapada)|King of Magadha]]|years=543–491 BC}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ajatashatru]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ajatashatru]]}}
{{end}}
{{end}}

Latest revision as of 02:25, 7 November 2024

Not to be confused with Bindusara.
For the 2022 Indian film, see Bimbisara (film).

Bimbisara
Bimbisara with his royal cortege issuing from the city of Rajagriha to visit the Buddha.
King of Magadha
Reignc. 544 – c. 492 BCE or c. 457 – c. 405 BCE (52 years)
PredecessorBhattiya (as Chieftain)
SuccessorAjatashatru
DynastyHaryanka
Born558 BCE or 472 BCE
Died491 BCE or 405 BCE
Bimbisar Jail, Rajgriha, Magadha, Haryanka Empire
SpouseKosala Devī
Chellanā
Dharini
Kṣemā / Khemā
Nandā[1]
Padmāvatī / Padumavatī
Ambapālī
IssueAjatashatru
DynastyHaryanka
FatherBhattiya
ReligionJainism
Buddhism

Bimbisāra (in Buddhist tradition) or Shrenika (Śreṇika) and Seniya (Seṇiya) in the Jain histories[2][3] (c. 558 – c. 491 BCE[4][5] or c. 472 – c. 405 BCE[6][7]) was the King of Magadha (r. 543 – 492 BCE[8] or r. 457 – 405 BCE[6][9]) and belonged to the Haryanka dynasty.[10] He was the son of Bhattiya.[11] 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.[12]

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.[13] He frequently visited Samavasarana of Lord Mahavira seeking answers to his queries.[14]

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).[8] He was succeeded on the throne by his son Ajatashatru.[12]

Life

[edit]
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.[15] He established the Haryanka dynasty and laid the foundations of Magadha with the fortification of a village, which later became the city of Pataliputra.[16] 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.[17] 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.[18][19] Pukkusati, the king of Gandhara, sent Bimbisara an embassy.[15]

His court is said to have included Sona Kolivisa, Sumana (flower gatherer), Koliya (minister), Kumbhaghosaka (treasurer) and Jivaka (physician).[20]

Marriage alliances

[edit]

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.[21] His bride brought him Kashi as dowry.[22] 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[23] king Chetaka.[24] His third wife, Kshema, was a daughter of the chief of the Madra clan of Punjab.[25] Mahavagga depicts him having 500 wives.[15]

Death

[edit]
Bimbisara's jail, where King Bimbisāra was imprisoned, in Rajgir

As per Buddhism, due to influence by Devadatta (a Buddhist monk), Bimbisāra was assassinated by his son Ajatashatru in c. 493 BCE, who then succeeded him to the throne. However, as per Jainism, Bimbisāra committed suicide.[18]

Traditional accounts

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Jainism

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Bimbisara is referred to as Shrenika[26][3] of Rajgir in Jain literature who became a devotee of Jainism impressed by the calmness of Jain Muni Yamadhar.[27][23] He frequently visited Samavasarana of Mahavira seeking answers to his queries. He asked about the jain Ramayana[14] and an illuminating sage (King Prasana).[28] He is said to be a Balabhadra in one of his previous lives.[29]

An idol of Padmanabh Swami (Shrenika Maharaja), the first Tirthankara of the next time cycle as per Śvetāmbara iconography at Jain Center of Southern California, Buena Park, California

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

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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

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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] A fictionalised version of Bimbisara appears in the 2022 Indian film Bimbisara.

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ Chandra, Jnan (1958). "SOME UNKNOWN FACTS ABOUT BIMBISĀRA". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 21. Indian History Congress: 215–217.
  2. ^ von Glasenapp 1999, p. 40-41.
  3. ^ a b Jain & Upadhye 2000, p. 59.
  4. ^ Hugh George Rawlinson (1950), A Concise History of the Indian People. Oxford University Press, p. 46.
  5. ^ F. Max Muller (2001): The Dhammapada And Sutta-nipata. Routledge (UK), p. xlvii. ISBN 0-7007-1548-7.
  6. ^ a b Sarao, K. T. S. (2003), "The Ācariyaparamparā and Date of the Buddha.", Indian Historical Review, 30 (1–2): 1–12, doi:10.1177/037698360303000201
  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."
  8. ^ a b V. K. Agnihotri (ed.), Indian History. Allied Publishers, New Delhi 262010, p. 166 f.
  9. ^ Keay, India: A History
  10. ^ Peter N. Stearns (2001), The Encyclopedia of World History. Houghton Mifflin, p. 76 ff. ISBN 0-395-65237-5.
  11. ^ Raychaudhuri 1923, p. 97.
  12. ^ a b "Bimbisara". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  13. ^ Dundas, Paul (2 September 2003). The Jains. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-50165-6.
  14. ^ a b Dalal, Roshen (2010), Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide, India: Penguin Books, p. 338, ISBN 9780143414216
  15. ^ a b c Sen 1999, p. 112.
  16. ^ Sastri 1988, p. 11.
  17. ^ Upinder Singh 2016, p. 269.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ Kailash Chand Jain 1972, p. 99.
  20. ^ Upinder Singh 2016, p. 270.
  21. ^ Upinder Singh 2016, p. 271.
  22. ^ Eck, Diana. (1998) Banaras, Columbia University Press. p. 45. ISBN 0-231-11447-8.
  23. ^ a b Datta, Amaresh (1988). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Devraj to Jyoti. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-1194-0.
  24. ^ Luniya, Bhanwarlal Nathuram. (1967) Evolution of Indian Culture, Lakshmi Narain Agarwal. p. 114.
  25. ^ Krishna, Narendra. (1944) History of India, A. Mukherjee & bros. p. 90.
  26. ^ Dundas 2002, p. 36.
  27. ^ Queen Chelna and King Shrenik, archived from the original on 13 April 2019, retrieved 21 September 2015
  28. ^ Leshyas
  29. ^ Choksi, Mansi; Chhapia, Hemali (10 February 2011), "Now, meet Ravan the saint", The Times of India
  30. ^ Jaini 1998, p. 228.
  31. ^ Dundas 2002, p. 41.
  32. ^ Dundas 2002, p. 40-41.
  33. ^ KTS Sarai, Jeffrey D Long, ed. (2017), "Sotāpanna", Buddhism and Jainism, Encyclopedia of Indian Religions, Springer, pp. 1126–1129, doi:10.1007/978-94-024-0852-2_94, ISBN 9789402408522
  34. ^ John S. Strong (2007), Relics of the Buddha, Princeton University Press, p. 72, ISBN 978-0691117645
  35. ^ Kailash Chand Jain 1991, p. 88.

Sources

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See also

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Regnal titles
Preceded by
Bhattiya
 King of Magadha
543–491 BC 		Succeeded by
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