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EMPIRE OF KASI
97
Mithila and Indapatta were each only seven leagues in extent. Several Kāsi monarchs are described as aspirants for the dignity of the chief king of all kings (sabbarājunam aggarājā), and lord of the whole of India ( sakalaJambudīpa). The Mahāvagga also mentions the fact that Kāsi was in former times a great and prosperous realm, possessed of iminense resources :
“Blitapubla blacklace Baũm asiam Balmadatto wāma Kāsirājā ahosi addho mahaddhano mahābhogo mahadbalo mahāvāhano mahāvijito paripunnakosa-leotthā
gāro,"3
The Jainas also afford testimony to the greatness of Kāsi, and represent Aśvasena, king of Benares, as the father of their Tirthankara Pārsva who is said to have died 250 years before Mahāvīra, i.e., in or about 777 B.C.
Already in the Brāhmaṇa period a king of Kāsi, named Dhritarāshtra, attempted to offer a horse-sacrifice, but was vanquished by Satānika Sātrājita with the result that the Kāśis down to the time of the Satapatha Brāhmana, gave up the kindling of the sacred fire. Some of the other Kāsi monarchs were more fortunate. Thus in the Brahāchatta Jātakaa king of Benares is said to have gone against the king of Kosala with a large army. He entered the city of Sāvatthi and took the king prisoner. The Kosāmbi Jātala, the-Kunāla Jātaka,” and the Mahavagga 8 refer to the annexation of the kingdom of Kosala
1 Suruchi J., 489; Vidhurapandita J., 545. 2 Bhaddasāla Jātaka, 465; Dhonesākha Jātaka, 353. 3 Mahāvagga, X2.3; Vinaya Pițakam. 1, 342. 4 Sat. Br., XIII. 5. 4. 19. . 5 No, 336. . 6 No. 428. 7 No. 536.
8 S. B. E., Vol. XIII, pp. 294-99. Q. P. 90-13.
