Bimbisara

Bimbisara
बिम्बिसारा
𑀩𑀺𑀫𑁆𑀩𑀺𑀲𑀸𑀭𑀸
King Bimbisara and his royal group leaving 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
FatherBhattiya
ReligionJainism
Buddhism

Bimbisāra, known in Buddhist texts by that name and as Shrenika or Seniya in Jain traditions, was the king of Magadha. He ruled sometime between 543–492 BCE or 457–405 BCE, depending on different sources. He belonged to the Haryanka dynasty and was the son of King Bhattiya. Bimbisāra expanded his kingdom by conquering nearby regions like Anga in the east. This expansion helped set the stage for the rise of the Maurya Empire later on.[2][3]

According to Jain tradition, Bimbisāra is believed to be the first of the 24 future Tirthankaras in the coming cosmic age and will be called Padmanabha or Mahapadma. He often visited the Samavasarana (divine preaching hall) of Lord Mahavira to ask spiritual questions. In Buddhist tradition, Bimbisāra is remembered for his cultural contributions and was a close friend and supporter of the Buddha. The Chinese monk Xuanzang, who visited India in the 7th century, wrote that Bimbisāra built the city of Rajgir (also called Rajagriha). After his reign, his son Ajatashatru became king.[4][5][6]

References

  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. "Bimbisara". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  3. Sarao, K. T. S. (2003), "The Ācariyaparamparā and Date of the Buddha.", Indian Historical Review, vol. 30, no. 1–2, pp. 1–12, doi:10.1177/037698360303000201
  4. "Dodge, John Vilas, (25 Sept. 1909–23 April 1991), Senior Editorial Consultant, Encyclopædia Britannica, since 1972; Chairman, Board of Editors, Encyclopædia Britannica Publishers, since 1977", Who Was Who, Oxford University Press, 2007-12-01, retrieved 2025-05-03
  5. ISBN:978-1-134-50165-6.
  6. Dalal, Roshen (2010). Hinduism: an alphabetical guide. New Delhi: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.