Why in news?
On Mahavir Jayanti (March 31), PM Modi inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum in Koba, Gandhinagar, dedicated to Jain history and Samrat Samprati, grandson of Emperor Ashoka.
While Ashoka is known for spreading Buddhism, Samprati is remembered for promoting Jainism across India and beyond, playing a key role in expanding the faith’s influence.
What’s in Today’s Article?
- Mauryan Legacy Beyond Ashoka
- Samprati: The Jain Counterpart to Ashoka
Mauryan Legacy Beyond Ashoka
- The Mauryan Empire (3rd century BCE) is best known for Emperor Ashoka (c. 269–232 BCE), who expanded the empire and promoted a moral order based on Buddhist principles.
- His model of ethical kingship influenced regions beyond India, especially Buddhist Southeast Asia.
- Jainism Within the Mauryan Era
- Despite Buddhism’s prominence, Jainism also remained significant during this period.
- Ashoka’s first wife, Padmavati, is believed to have been a Jain, and his grandfather, Chandragupta Maurya, is said in Jain traditions to have embraced Jainism, migrated south during a famine, and died in meditation at Shravanabelagola.
- While Chandragupta is central to the Digambara tradition, Shvetambara texts highlight Ashoka’s grandson, Samprati, as a key figure.
- After Ashoka’s death (in 232 BCE), the empire may have been divided between his grandsons Dasharatha and Samprati.
- Samprati, son of Kunala, is portrayed in Jain texts as a devoted follower who played a major role in spreading Jainism, particularly by promoting and distributing images of the Jinas across the subcontinent.
Samprati: The Jain Counterpart to Ashoka
- Samprati, believed to have ruled between 230 and 220 BCE, emerges in Shvetambara Jain texts as a key royal patron of Jainism.
- Over time, his legacy expanded through medieval works like Samprati Nripa Charitra, portraying him as a central figure in Jain religious history.
- Conversion and Religious Commitment
- While some traditions claim he was Jain from birth, most accounts highlight his conversion under the monk Suhastin in Ujjain.
- He adopted Jain lay practices, including daily icon worship, and developed a deep personal commitment to Jain dharma, rather than acting out of political motives.
- Expansion of Jainism Across Regions
- After his conversion, Samprati is credited with actively spreading Jainism by sending monks to distant regions, building and renovating temples, and installing numerous Jain icons.
- His efforts helped consolidate Jainism across regions like Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Malwa, and Rajputana.
- Some traditions even extend his influence to China, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Central and West Asia.
- Temple Building and Religious Infrastructure
- Samprati’s contribution went beyond missionary activity.
- Like Ashoka with Buddhist stupas, he is said to have institutionalised Jain religious culture through large-scale temple construction and icon installation.
- Traditions credit him with building 125,000 temples, renovating 36,000, consecrating millions of icons, and establishing 700 charitable centres.
- Legacy in Jain Tradition
- In western India, many ancient temples and icons without clear historical records are often attributed to Samprati.
- His role in Jain history is seen as parallel to Ashoka’s in Buddhism, symbolising a ruler who not only spread teachings but also embedded religious practices across regions.
- Historical Sources and Death
- Samprati’s life is documented in texts like Sampratikatha, Parishistaparva, and Prabhavakcharita.
- He is believed to have ruled for about 50 years and died around 190 BCE, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a champion of Jainism.
Conclusion
The story of Samprati and Jainism spread highlights how Ashoka’s grandson played a crucial role in expanding Jainism. The Samprati and Jainism spread effort involved sending monks, building temples, and installing Jain icons across regions.
Through these actions, Samprati and Jainism spread became a defining chapter in ancient Indian religious history.
