Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c34.240

v2.c34.240

After the death of Bimbisāra, Ajātasattu, in his desire for the expansion of Magadha, resolved to destroy the Licchavis. He was probably partly influenced by his fear of his foster-brother Abhayarājakumāra (q.v.), who had in him Licchavi blood. Buddhaghosa²⁸ gives another story. There was a port on the Ganges, extending over one yojana, half of which territory belonged to Ajātasattu, and the other half to the Licchavis. Near by was a mountain, from which much fragrant material (? gandhabhaṇḍa) flowed into the river. While Ajātasattu was making preparations to claim his portion of this material, the Licchavis would go before him and remove it all. This happened on several occasions, and Ajātasattu vowed vengeance. In order to discover what the Buddha thought of his chances of success, he sent to him his minister Vassakāra. The Buddha predicted²⁹ that as long as the Licchavis remained united they were proof against any foe. Ajātasattu then decided to bring about disunion among them. He was successful in this, with the aid of Vassakāra.³⁰ When Ajātasattu arrived at the gates of Vesālī, the Licchavis, owing to their disunion, were unable to put up any opposition, and Ajātasattu captured the city without further trouble.³¹ The degeneration may have set in earlier among the Licchavis, for we find reference³² to their giving up their earlier austere habits and to their fondness for soft pillows, long sleep and other luxuries. Their power and prosperity were probably also weakened by the plague and drought which had ravaged Vesālī.