Bimbisara
Bimbisāra (in Buddhist tradition) or རྒྱལ་པོ་གཟུགས་ཅན་སྙིང་པོ་ (Tibetan) or Shrenika (Śreṇika) and Seniya (Seṇiya) in the Jain histories (c. 558 – c. 491 BCE or c. 472 – c. 405 BCE) was the King of Magadha (r. 543 – 492 BCE or r. 457 – 405 BCE) and belonged to the Haryanka dynasty. He was the son of Bhattiya. His expansion of the kingdom, especially his annexation of the kingdom of Anga to the east, is considered to have laid the foundations for the later expansion of the Mauryan Empire.
| Bimbisara | |
|---|---|
Bimbisara with his royal cortege issuing from the city of Rajagriha to visit the Buddha. | |
| Founder of Haryanka dynasty | |
| Reign | c. 544 – c. 491 BCE or c. 457 – c. 405 BCE (52 years) |
| Predecessor | Bhattiya |
| Successor | Ajatashatru |
| Clan and noble family | Haryanka |
| Born | 558 BCE or 472 BCE |
| Died | 491 BC or 405 BCE |
| Spouse | Kosala Devī Chellanā Dharini Kṣemā / Khemā Nandā Padmāvatī / Padumavatī Ambapālī |
| Issue | Ajatashatru |
| Dynasty | Haryanka |
| Father | Bhattiya |
| Religion | Jainism, Buddhism |
According to Jain Tradition, he is said to be the first Tirthankara (will be named as Padmanabha / Mahapadma) out of 24th Tirthankara of the future cosmic age. He frequently visited Samavasarana of Lord Mahavira seeking answers to his queries.
According to Buddhist Tradition, he is also known for his cultural achievements and was a great friend and protector of the Buddha. According to the 7th century Chinese monk Xuanzang, Bimbisara built the city of Rajgir (Rajagriha). He was succeeded on the throne by his son Ajatashatru.