Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c20.s21.1

c20.s21.1

Udāyana was a very powerful monarch of Sindhu Sovīra. It is said that Udāyana ruled at sixteen janapadas, viz., Sindhu sovīra, etc. and sixty three cities, viz., Vībhaya, etc., and he was the lord of the ten crowned (maudabaddha) kings, viz., Mahāsena, etc. Udāyana was a devotee of the Tāvasas. His queen Pabhāvai gave birth to Abhitikumāra. It is mentioned that once Udāyana thought of paying a visit to Mahāvīra, who was in Campā at that time. It is said that the latter knew his thoughts and came down to Vībhaya in order to ordain him. Udāyana anointed Kesīkumāra, his sister's son, on the throne and joined the order under Mahāvīra.¹⁴⁶ Uddāyana came to be known as a royal sage (rājarisi) and was the last king to renounce the kingdom with a crown on his head. After him no king was allowed to renounce the world wearing the crown.¹⁴⁷