Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c18.14

c18.14

The next interesting point in the Jain story is its mention of a twelve years' famine in the country. At that time, the Jain Āchārya Susthita lived in Chandragupta's capital. He sent his following (*Gaṇa*) to some other country to avoid the famine. It is, however, to be noted that this is Śvetāmabara tradition which is contradicted by Digambara tradition on the subject. Chandragupta was now showing Jain leanings and patronising heretical teachers (*Chandraguptaṁ tu mithyādṛikpāshaṇḍamatabhavitam*). Chāṇakya tried to wean him away from them by saying that they were morally corrupt. But Chandragupta wanted the charge to be proved. It was proved by Chāṇakya against some Jain ascetics one day, but it failed against others the next day. Chandragupta made them henceforth his spiritual guides (*gurūn mene*).