Ajatashatru

Lore & Background

Ajatashatru was born to King Bimbisara and Queen Chellana (Jain tradition) or Kosala Devi (Buddhist tradition). According to the Jain Nirayavalika Sutra, during pregnancy Queen Chellana desired to eat fried flesh of her husband's heart; after birth, she had the child thrown out, and a cock bit his little finger, leading to the nickname Kunika ('Sore Finger'). The Buddhist Atthakatha gives a similar story, with Kosaladevi desiring blood from Bimbisara's arm and the child later developing a boil on his finger. He forcefully took over the kingdom from his father and imprisoned him.

Reader's Guide

Ajatashatru's significance lies in his military campaigns that transformed Magadha into the dominant power in North India. He fought a war against the Vajjika League led by the Licchavis and conquered the republic of Vaishali. The city of Pataliputra was formed by fortifying a village under his orders. He also occupied Kashi and captured smaller kingdoms. His reign is dated either c. 492–460 BCE or c. 405–373 BCE, reflecting scholarly disagreement based on correlations with the Buddha's death. The Jain tradition provides a detailed narrative of the war with Vaishali, involving divine intervention and a ruse to breach the city walls. The Buddhist tradition mentions a diamond mine dispute as part of the conflict. His legacy is that of a conqueror who established Magadha's supremacy.

Did You Know?

• Ajatashatru is also known as Kunika in the Jain tradition, a nickname meaning 'Sore Finger' due to a childhood injury.
• He imprisoned his father, King Bimbisara, after forcefully taking over the kingdom of Magadha.
• The city of Pataliputra was formed by fortifying a village under Ajatashatru's orders.
• According to Jain tradition, the war against Vaishali involved divine help from Indras and a ruse using a former monk.