Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c7.s1.t2: Abdication

c7.s1.t2.1

Sometimes, after the death of the king, the elder son was overcome by a feeling of disgust for the kingdom and renounced the world. In that case the kingdom was offered to his younger brother.⁹ In some cases the elder brother, who had taken to asceticism came back and was tempted to seize the kingdom. We are told that Kuṇḍarīka and Puṇḍarīka were two princes of Sāgeya. The former joined the ascetic order, but after some time he returned and wanted his kingdom back. Puṇḍarīka, the younger prince retired in his favour and took to the ascetic life.¹⁰ Then there were instances of kings abdicating in favour of the heirs-apparent and of young princes prematurely following the path of renunciation and refusing consecration.¹¹