Bharat, that is India

©Ramakrishna Kongalla

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Jainism:
Story of Mahavir:

- Mahavir was born to Siddhartha and Tisala on 13th Day of Chaitra (14th April – Mahavir
Jayanti) 2500 years ago (599 BC) in Kundagrama, Bihar.
- He belongs to clan of Licchavis, Vajji Sangha.
- His parents were followers of Parsvanatha.
- Other names are Vir, Ativir, Vardhamana, Sanmati.
- At the age of 30 he left home and after twelve and half years of yogic practices he
attained “Kevali” (Renunciation) under Ashoka tree at the age of 42.
- For next 30 years he preached what he attained and left his body at the age of 72. He
was cremated in Pawapuri, Bihar. Knowing the news of his cremation people rushed to
collect ashes and in due course when much soil was removed, a pond was formed which
is known “Jal Mandir”.
- His last teaching is called as – “Samosharan”
- His teachings are recorded in Prakrit by Gautama Swami and they are found at Vallabhi
region of Gujarat. Holy books are “Agamas”. Lectures delieverd by him are called – Shrut
Gnana.
- He is known as “Jina”, the Conqueror and the followers of Jina are Jains.
- Jains believe in reincarnation, which leads to liberation.
- Triratna of Jainism – Ahimsa, Anekantavada, Aparigraha.
- Central Tenet of Jainism – Parsparopagraho jeevanam – Function of this soul is to help
others.
- Jains follow Pancha Mahavratas – Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha.

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 - Jain monks are split in to two sects – Digambaras and Swetambaras.
- Sraavakas (Householders) arise from Sravana, who listens and follows simple vows
including Samayika (Timely Meditation) and Sallekhana.
- There are 24 Thirthankaras (Teaching Gods) in Jainism. Mahavir is the 24th Thirthankara.
- He is identified by lion (Rishabha – Bull, Neminath – Conch Shell, Parsvanath – Snake)
- Jains chant – Namokara Mantra also called “Pancha Namskara Mantra” to pray Pancha
parameshti.
- Digambaras believe he refused the marriage proposal with Yasoda. Swetambaras
believe he married Yasoda and had a girl child – Priyadarsana.

Buddhism:

- Mahamaya was married to Suddodana of Sakya Clan of Kapilavastu. In the dream

“Sumedha” said to Mahamaya – Will you be my mother? And Mahamaya saw white
elephant entering her womb. She expressed her wish to deliver the baby at her father’s
place – Devadaha. While passing through Lumbini Vana on Vishakha Purnima day she
gave birth to a baby boy and they named him Siddhartha on 5th day.
- Sage Asita foretold that the boy would become Buddha one day and it is his bad luck
that he will not be there to witness it.
- On his 7th day Mahamaya Died. Step mother Mahapajapati Gotami took his
responsibility and at the age of 8 he started his education.
- Suddhodana built 3 palaces for Siddhartha to live in 3 seasons so that he can keep
Siddhartha away from all the worldly sufferings. But somehow Siddhartha comes across
Diseased, Old and Dead. Decides to leave home and become a saint.
- He left home with his attendant Channa and his horse kanthak. On the banks of Anoma
River he deserted both and moved to Rajagriha and met Bimbisara and five disciples
Kondana, Bhaddiya, Vappa, Mahanand, Assaji.
- Learned dhyana marg up to 7 stages from Alarakalama. 8th stage – Samadhi Marg from
Uddaka Ramaputta.
- Went to Gaya and on the banks of River Niranjana started practicing ascetics along with
his 5 disciples for 6 years.
- Realising that this won’t work he left ascetics and consumed porridge offered by Sujata.
On seeing this disciples left him.
- He regained energy, collected food for 49 days and sat to meditate again and in 7 weeks
he attained enlightenment.
- He wanted answer for 2 questions – 1. Reason for Unhappiness, 2. How to remove it. He
got the answer and that stage is called – Samabodhi. So the fig tree under which he
meditated is known as “Bodhi Tree”

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 - He went to sarnath and delivered his first sermon to the 5 disciples in deer park. Then
moved around for many years teaching what he attained.
- He took food from chund and got diseased – moved to Mallavana in Kushinagar and left
the body on the banks of the river Hiranyavati.
- His last words to favourite student Ananda were “there is an end for everything that is
made on this earth and I am not any exception”

Buddhist Philosophy:

- Events in Buddha’s Life:

ß Mahabhinishkramana – Renounced Home
ß Nirvana – Enlightenment
ß Dharma Chakra Pravartana – First Sermon
ß Maha parinirvana – Leaving the body.
- Iconography:
ß 1. Birth – Lotus/White Elephant
ß 2. Youth – Bull
ß 3. Leaving home – Horse
ß 4. First Sermon – Lion/Wheel
ß 5. Leaving the body – Stupa.
- Triratna of Buddhism –
ß “Buddham Saranam Gacchami, Dharmam Saanam Gacchami, Sangham
Saranam Gacchami”
- 4 Noble truths (Dharmachakra Pravartana Sutta)
ß 1. Dukha (Sorrow)
ß 2. Dukha Samudaya (Reason for sorrow)
ß 3. Dukha Nirodha (Sorrow can be stopped)
ß 4. Dukha Paripadgamini/Magga (there is a way). The way is Ashtangika
Marga or Madhyama Marga.
- 8 Fold Path (Ashtangika Marga):
ß 1. Sama Ditti (Right observation)
ß 2. Sama Samkappa (Right determination)
ß 3. Sama Vacha (Right Speech)
ß 4. Sama Kammantha (Right Action)
ß 5. Sama Ajeeva (Right Livelihood)
ß 6. Sama Vayama (Right Effort)
ß 7. Sama Sati (Right Mindfulness)
ß 8. Sama Samadhi (Right Meditation)
- Middle Path (Madhyama Marga) = neither extreme luxury nor extreme ascetics.

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 - Holy books = Tripitakas:
ß 1. Sutta Pitaka (Teachings of Buddha)
ß 2. Vinaya Pitaka (Monastic Code)
ß 3. Abidhamma Pitaka (organised rework of BUdha’s teachings)

Buddhist Councils:
ß 1st Buddhist Council: by Ajatasatru (Haryanka) in 483 BC at Satparini
Caves – Rajgir. Chairman was Mahakassapa. Compilation of Sutta Pitaka
and Vinaya Pitaka by Anand and Upali.
ß 2nd Buddhist Council: by Kalasoka (Sisunaga) in 383 BC at Challuvanga –
Vaishali. Chairman was Sabbakami. Monks wanted changes in rights so,
Schism split in to Sthaviras, Vadins and Mahasanghikas.
ß 3rd Buddhist Council: by Ashoka (Maurya) in 250 BC at Ashoka karma
Vihar – pataliputra. Chairman was Mogaliputta Tissa. Foreign
Missionaries were sent abroad and Abhidhamma Pitaka was compiled.
ß 4th Buddhist Council: by Kanishka (Kushana) in 98 AD at Kundalavana –
Kashmir. Chairmen were Vasumitra and Aswaghosha. Compilation of
Mahavibha sastra and split of Buddhism in to Hinayana and Mahayana.

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Haryanka Dynasty:
- Bimbisara at the age of 15 established Haryanka Dynasty (544 BC). He conquered Anga
and befriended Avanti (Pradyota Dynasty)
- Was a devotee of Buddhism and Jainism. Bimbisara married Chelna/Vaidehi.
- To Chelna and Bimbisara, a son was born – Ajatasatru Kunika
- Ajatasatru laid foundation to Pataliputra and held 1st Buddhist council.
- Nagadasaka was the last king and Sisunaga was his Amatya.
- Sisunaga overthrew Nagadasaka and established “Sisunaga Dynasty”
- *Persian Invasion - by Darius I on Indus in 518 BC.

Sisunaga Dynasty:
- Sisunaga established the dynasty in 495 BC and destructed Avanti.
- His son was Kakavarna kalasoka, who shifted capital from Rajgir to Pataliputra and
organised second Buddhist Council.
- Last king was Mahanandin and his illegitimate son was Mahapadmananda.
- Mahapadmananda revolted against Mahanandin and laid foundation to Nanda Dynasty.

Nanda Dynasty:
- Mahapadmananda established the dynasty in 424 BC. He is the first king to expand the
kingdom to a large extent.
- Last king was Dhanananda who was attracted to luxuries. Chanakya was one of his
courtiers.

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 - *Greek Invasion – by Alexander in 327 BC. Ambi was ruler of Taxila and Alexander
fought Porus - Battle of Hydespes.

Effect of Alexander’s Invasion:

- Europe came close to Ancient India and encouraged political unification of North India.
- Small independent states came to an end. Direct contact between Greece and India
established in many fields like trade, commerce and art.
- Gandhara School of art has emerged.

Maurya Dynasty:
- Megasthenese, A Greek ambassador visited India in 300 BC and he mentioned about
“Sandrokoptos” (Chandragupta).
- Visakadatta’s Mudra Rakshasam gives a detailed view of how Chanakya and
Chandragupta defeated Nandas and came to power.
- Mauryan empire is the best documented in the Pre-Muslim India.
- In 1904 in Mysuru Library Dr. Samasastry discovered Arthasastra.

Chandra Gupta Maurya:

- According to Buddhist texts he was born to Morra and Surya Gupta in Sakya Clan or
possibly Vaisya and later adopted by Kautilya.
- With the help of Hill Chief Sasi Gupta and Jeeva Siddi, Chanakya and Chandra Gupta
defeated Nandas and ascended the throne in 320 BC.
- Junagarh inscriptions mentions about how Chandra Gupta got local Dams repaired.
- Mauryan Empire was the first to spread from Sea to Sea. Probably for lucrative sea trade
pioneered by Harappans.
- When Seleucus Nicator turned his attention towards India, Mauryas defeated him and
presented 500 war elephants to cede Punjab and Gandhar to Magadha. In alliance he
received Seleucus’s daughter Cornelia (Probably Helena) as bride.
- Chandra Gupta retired to Sravana Belagola and performed Salekhana there.

Ashoka Piyadassi (268 – 233 BC):

- In 1837 when James Princep deciphered the Brahmi script, he found that “Devanampiya
Piyadassi” was mentioned in the inscriptions who is identified as Ashoka.
- In Greek texts it is mentioned about Amitrochates (Slayer of enemies) followed Ajivaka
sect and ruled Magadha for 25 years is identified as 2nd king of Mauryan Dyansty –
Bindusara.

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 - Ashoka was born to Bindusara and Subhdarangi/Dharma.
- Bindusara involved Ashoka in military affairs. Ashoka efficiently controlled revolts in
Taxila and was appointed as governor of Ujjain. There he fell in love with Vidisha
Mahadevi and married her.
- 4 years later Bindusara died and war of succession is mentioned in different texts in
different ways. Famous one is how he overthrew his brother Susheem to become the
Emperor.
- 8 years after accession in 260 BC, Ashoka invaded Kalinga – 13th and 14th Rock edicts.
- Megasthenese describes Mauryan army as Permanent, recruited, trained and
maintained.
- 11th Rock edict talks about Dhamma. He ran parallel administration to promote
Dhamma of Buddha.
- His inscriptions in Kharosthi (Persia) say how far his kingdom was spread.
- He sent his daughter Sanghamitta and son Mahinda as buddhist missionaries to Sri
Lanka.
- His administration consisted of Co-Ministers, District officers, Tax Collectors, Market
Supervisors, Clerks etc.
- He planted trees for shade, planted mile stones, dug frequent wells, constructed
orchards and rest houses.
- Followed uniform judiciary. Says all varnas are equal in 12th rock edict.
- Started medical facilities for people as well as animals. Animal sacrifices forbidden
- Detailed description of Ashoka is found in Ashokavadana (of Divyavadana) written by
unknown monks of Mathura – translated in to Chinese by Fahien.
- Sri Lankan Buddhist chronicles – Depavamsa and Mahavamsa also mentions a lot about
Ashoka and his reign.
- Last rules was the Brihadrata and Pushyamitra Sunga was his Senapati.
- Pushyamitra Sunga killed Brihadrata in Guard of Honour and established Sunga Synasty.

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Sunga Dynasty (185 BC – 72 BC):
- Pushyamitra Sunga laid the foundation for sunga dynasty and ruled for 32 years.
- His son was Agnimitra (Malavikagnimitram of Kalidasa is a work on love of Malavika and
Agnimitra).
- 10 Sunga emperors ruled.
- During their rule Patanjali Wrote – Yogasutra and Mahabhashya. Manusmriti was also
written during the same period.
- Devabhuti was the last ruler and Vasudeva Kanva was his Amatya.
- Vasudeva Kanva assassinated Devabhuti and laid foundation for the Kanva Dynasty.

Kanva Dynasty (72 BC to 28 BC):

- Vasudeva, Bhumimitra, Narayana, Susarman – 4 rulers ruled for 45 years and was
confined only to pataliputra.
- Overthrown by Satavahanas (Simukha).

Satavahana Dynasty:
- Succeeded Mauryas in Deccan around 231 BC. Present between North and South hence
called – “Bridge Kingdom”
- Source of their rule is :
ß Puranas (Matsya, Vayu, Vishnu),

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 ß Literary works by Hala (Gatasaptasathi), Gunadya (Brihatkatha),
Vatsayana (Kamasutra).
ß Nanaghat Inscription of Naganika and Nashik Inscription of Balasri.
ß Many coins were excavated at “Koti Lingala”
- 30 kings ruled for 456 years.
- Simukha was the founder and Kanha was the second ruler who patronised Buddhism.
Satakarni I and Satakarni II are the famous ones.
- 13th king Kuntala Satakarni – Replaced Prakrit with Sanskrit as the official language.
- 23rd King Gautamiputra Satakarni revived Satavahana glory by defeating Saka king
Nahapana, Pallavas, Yavanas. He is known as “Trisamudra toya pitavaha” – the king who
drank waters of three seas says the expansion of his kingdom.
- After Gautamiputra, Saka King Rudradaman took over the region.
- 27th king Yajnasri Satakarni ousted Sakas and established the lost glory. Nagarjuna was
in his court. He enlarged Amaravati Stupa.
- 30th king Pulomavi IV was the last king and lost to foreign rulers.

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Kushanas (1 C to 300 CE):
- They belong to a branch of Yueh-Chi, a nomadic tribe from central Asia occupied Bactria
and displaced Sakas.
- Moved to Kabul valley – Seized Gandhara replacing Parthians and Scythians.
- Founder of Kushana empire is Kujula Kadphises I
- Out of all the kings “Kanishka” was the greatest known.
- He started Saka Era in 78 CE. Chinese, Tibetan and Indian sources of literature say about
his conquests, how he conquered Kashmir and founded “Kanishkapura” present Kampur
near Srinagar.
- His records at Mathura and Sanchi say that Rajputana, Malwa and Saurashtra were his
dominions.
- Kanishka after winning Pataliputra, captured Aswagosha, a Buddhist philosopher.
- Made Purushapura (Peshwar) his capital and Mathura as his second Capital.
- He patronised Buddhism, built numerous Chaityas, Viharas and gave patronage to
Buddhist scholars like Vasumitra, Aswagosha nad Nagarjuna.
- He sent many missionaries to Japan, Tibet, Cetral Asia and conducted 4th Buddhist
Council. Voluminous Sanskrit literature was produced during his reign.
- Aswagosha wrote “Buddha Charitham”, Nagarjuna framed theory of relativity and wrote
“Madhyamika Sutra”, Vasumitra wrote “Mahavibhasastra” and “Charaka Samhita” was
written by Charaka.
- His immediate successor was Vasishka and last important known ruler is Vasudeva.
- Due to rise of republics like Yaudheyas, Kunindas, Malwas and Guptas, Kushanas
declined.
- During his reign he brought India and China closer. He was first to issue Gold coins.
Brought trained artists from various schools of the world.
- Introduction of Helenistic features to Buddhist sculpture happened during this period.
- Gandhara School – Greco Roman style of Hair in Buddha Statues are seen.
- Mathura School – Exhibited spiritual feelings in face of Buddha which are absent in
Gandhara School.

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Gupta Empire (320 CE to 550 CE):
- Decline of Kushanas in North and Satavahanas in South paved the way for rise of
Guptas. Founded by Sri Gupta, Gupta period is considered as epoch in Ancient Indian
History and is also known as Golden Era or Classical Era.
- With capital at Pataliputra patronised Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.
- Source of information about the Guptas is available from Puranas, literary works of
Visakadatta, Kalidasa, Sudraka and Chinese Travellers.
- Inscriptions like Allahabad stone inscription of Samudra Gupta, Mehrauli Iron Pillar
inscription of Chandra Gupta and Junagarh rock inscription of Skanda Gupta and many
other coins give a glimpse of Gupta era.

Rulers:

- Chandra Gupta I (320 – 335 CE)

- Samudra Gupta (335 – 370 CE)
- Chandra Gupta II Vikramaditya (375 – 414 CE) – Fahien Visited during his reign.
- Kumara Gupta I - gave donations and developed Nalanda University.
- Lat one is Vishnu Gupta (540 – 550 CE) – during this reign temple architecture achieved
the highest level.

Why the reign is called Golden Age/Classical Age?

- Development of Sanskrit and Literature to a great extent.

- Nagari Script evolved from Brahmi which became script of Sanskrit in the coming days.
- Chandra Gupta II patronised Navaratnas - one of those is Kalidasa.
- Numerals and Decimal system was known. Aryabhatta belong to this period - Maths
and Astronomy flourished.
- Varahamihira wrote – Brihat Samhita, Yogasastra and Panchasiddantika.
- Brahmagupta’s literary work is – Suryasiddanta.
- Medical Trio was very famous during this period – Vagbhatta, Charaka, Susruta.
- High religious tolerance and revival of Hinduism happened.

Classical Phase in Art:

- Ajanta Paintings – considered best in the world.

- Temple architecture flourished –
ß Tigwa – Kankalidevi Temple – Flat roof – 1st stage of Nagara style
ß Nachanakutara Temple – raised platform – 2nd stage of Nagara style
ß Deograh – Vishnu Temple – Origin of Shikhara – 3rd Stage of nagara style

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Pushyabhuti/Vardhana Synasty:
- After the decline of Gupta empire, new dynasties emerged under political disorder and
Pushyabhutis of Thaneswar are important. During Harshavardana capital was shifted to
Kanauj.
- Pushyabhuti was the founder and Prabhakarvardana was the famous king.
- Prabhakaravardana had two sons and a daughter – Rajyavardana, Harshavardana and
Rajyashri.
- After Rajyavardana harshavardana took over the throne. Who himself is a poet.
- Vardhana Dyansty’s information is available from Bana’s Harshacharita, Harsha’s
Ratnavali, Naganandam and Priyadarsika.
- Harsha founded Harsha era by becoming the king at the age of 16 and ruled between
606 – 647 CE. Initially a follower of Lord Shiva later turned in to a Buddhist. Hiuen Tsang
visited during his reign.
- Erected Stupas and Viharas, Nalanda became centre of Mahayana School. Conducted
religious assembly once in 5 years, in an assembly at Kanauj he honoured Hiuen Tsang.
Prayaga assembly was attended by Sri Lankan scholars.
- Thus 7th century came to be known as “Age of Harsha”
-

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