Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c9.s5.93

c9.s5.93

The Jaina sources reveal that Vehalla's mother was a Vesālian princess.⁵ Vehalla is reported to have been leading a luxurious life at Campā, which inspired the jealousy of Ajātasattu's wife. This would show that Vehalla had most probably been appointed as the Governor of Aṅga by his father and that he had a fair share of the royal favour. He may well have had in fact an excellent elephant and a valuable necklace. The necklace may not have been coveted by the new king's wife merely because it was priceless, but also because it had belonged to the late king's chief queen. Such things were often believed to have magical qualities. For reasons unknown, the king preferred to give the necklace to his younger son Vehalla. If we believe that Ajātasattu was a parricide, who had earlier conspired against Bimbisāra, this would justify Bimbisāra's choice of his son Vehalla.