Eastern Spirituality

Glossary Contents: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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Having no enemy, friend of all born things, an epithet of Yudhishthira. Ajātasattu or Ajātaśatru (ruled c. 492–c. 460 BCE) was a king of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha in North India. He was the son of King Bimbisara (558–491 BCE). He was contemporary with Mahavira (540–468 BCE) and Gautama Buddha (563–483 BCE). He took over the kingdom of Magadha from his father, forcefully by imprisoning him. He fought a war against Vajji, ruled by the Lichhavis, and conquered the republic of Vaisali. Ajātasattu followed policies of conquest and expansion. He defeated his neighbors including the king of Kosala; his brothers, when at odds with him, went to Kashi, which had been given to Bimbisara as dowry. This led to a war between Magadha and Kosala. Ajātasattu occupied Kashi and captured the smaller kingdoms. Magadha under Ajātasattu became the most powerful kingdom in North India.

Glossary Contents: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z