Question map
Which of the following statements about Bhadrabahu is/are correct ? 1. He was a Jain Saint. 2. He was spiritual teacher of Chandragupta Maury a. Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Explanation
Bhadrabahu was a prominent Jain saint and the last 'Sruta Kevali' (one with complete knowledge of scriptures) in the Digambara tradition [t2]. He is historically significant for leading a migration of Jain monks from Magadha to South India (Shravanabelagola) during a severe 12-year famine [c1][t1]. According to Jain tradition and later inscriptions, Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan Empire, became a disciple of Bhadrabahu after abdicating his throne [t1][t3]. Bhadrabahu served as his spiritual teacher, converting him to Jainism [t4]. The duo spent their final years as ascetics at Chandragiri hill in Karnataka, where they both eventually performed 'Sallekhana' (ritual fasting to death) [t1][t2]. While some modern historians debate the early corroboration of this relationship, it remains a central tenet of Jain literary and archaeological tradition [t6][t7].
Sources
- [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Life of Mahavira > p. 39