Bimbisara or Srenika (558-491
BCE) belonged to the Haryanka dynasty. Bimbisara was the most remarkable king
of the pre Mauryan dynasties of Magadha. He ruled Magadha from 542 to 492 BCE. Most sources say
that Bhattiya was the father of Bimbisara. A king at the age of 15 years, Bimbisara
laid the foundations of Magadha by fortification of a village, which later became
the city of Pataliputra. His first capital was at Girivraja (Rajagriha). He is
known for his cultural achievements. He was a great friend and protector of
Buddha. Rajgir, famous in Buddhist writings was built by Bimbisara. He was
succeeded on the throne by his son Ajatashatru (Kunika).
He was a man with clear vision.
He used the policy of marital alliances to expand his kingdom, a tradition
which was not yet seen in any dynasty.
His first wife was Kosala
Devi (Vaidehi), the daughter of Mahā Kosala the king of Kosala, and a sister of
Prasenjit. His bride brought him Kashi, which was then a mere village, as
dowry. This marriage also ended the hostility between Magadha and Kosala and
gave him a free hand in dealing with the other states.
King Bimbisara’s second wife was Chellena (Vaidehi), who was Lord Mahavir’s cousin sister. She was daughter of Chetaka, the
Licchhavi king of Vaishali and Chetaka’s sister Trishala was Mahavir’s mother.
Both Bimbisara and Mahavira share cordial relation with each other. Because of
this friendship, people also sometimes wonder whether Bimbisara was a Jain
follower or a follower of Buddha. (Bimbisara is referred to as Shrenika of
Rajgir in Jain literature who became a devotee of Jainism impressed by the
calmness of a Jain Muni. He frequently visited Samavasarana of Lord Mahavira
seeking answers to his queries.)
His third wife, Khema or
Kshemawas daughter of Madra King of Punjab. These marriage alliances paved the way for the expansion
of Magadha Empire.
Bimbisara was also great in
military skills. He was known as Shrenik, which means that he had a large
standing army. He is supposed to be one of the first kings to have a large
standing army. To avenge his father's earlier defeat at the hands of the king
of Anga (Brahmadatta), Bimbisara led a military campaign against Anga. The
campaign was successful, Anga was annexed in Magadha, and his son Ajatashatru
was appointed governor at Champa. Many other territories were also annexed to
Magadha by Bimbisara. After becoming a king at the age of 15 years, he not only
expanded the empire but also patronized both the rising religions at that time.
According to Buddhist
scriptures, King Bimbisara, depicted in Burmese art, offering his half kingdom
to Lord Buddha. He met Lord Buddha for the
first time prior to Lord Buddha's enlightenment. He later became a disciple of
the Buddha after being impressed by the teaching of him that one's age is no
measure of one's wisdom.
He also used a policy of
sending envoys to strengthen the bilateral relationships.
However, Like many of
predecessor kings Bimbisara was also a victim of patricide (murder of father),
his son Ajatashatru was poisoned by Devadatta (Gautam Buddha’s cousin who tried
to kill Buddha at several occasions) to kill his own father. His life ended
with a tragedy. The moment Bimbisara made Ajatashatru the king of Magadha he
imprisoned his own father in the dark cell. He was neither given food nor was
allowed to meet anybody other than his wife Kosala Devi. Whenever Kosala Devi
tried taking food she was caught. Later, even she was not allowed to meet
Bimbisara.
According to the Jain scriptures
it is said that Bimbisara committed suicide by consuming the poison of his ring
while, in the Buddhist scriptures it is mentioned that Bimbisara was brutally
killed by the royal barber on Ajatashatru’s instruction. But in both the scriptures it
is mentioned that Ajatashatru later realized his mistake and felt sorry for the
death of Bimbisara.
Bimbisara was a pious and
strong ruler but had a wicked son who became the major cause of his father’s
death, which was reported to have taken place around 491 BC.
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