Chetaka

Chetaka, also called King Chetaka or President Chetaka, was the representative of the Licchavi clan who ruled as a Republican President in Vaishali (India) reputed to have organised the Vajjian confederation of republics comprising the 9 Mallakis, 18 Gana Rajas of Kashi/Kosala and 9 Licchavi Republics.

Chetaka
Issue
  • Chellana
  • Jyeshtha
  • Dhandutt
  • Dhanprabh
  • Upendra
  • Sudutt
  • Sidutt
  • Sukumbojh
  • Akampan
  • Patangak
  • Prabhanjan
  • Prabhas
DynastyLicchavi
ReligionJainism

He was a 5th-century BC contemporary of Gautama Buddha and Jain Tirthankara Lord Mahavira. His system of government appears to have been a committee which elected a ceremonial king to act upon the committee's advice. His daughter Trishala was married to Siddhartha and gave birth to the 24th Tirthankara Mahavira, another daughter Chellana married Bimbisara. Chetaka had 10 sons Dhandutt, Dhanprabh, Upendra, Sudutt, Sidutt, Sukumbojh, Akampan, Patangak, Prabhanjan, Prabhas.

Jain tradition

According to Jain text Uttarapurāṇa, Chetaka was the king of Vaishali and was a famous and complaisant king. He is mentioned as a staunch follower of Jainism.[1] According to the text, Chetaka had ten sons and seven daughters. His sister Priyakarini (also known as Trishala) was married to Siddartha.[1] His daughter Chellana married Shrenik (also known as Bimbisara).[2]

Death of King Chetak:

When King Kaunik aka Ajatshatru attacked Vaishali King Chetak being righteous fought against him, his maternal grandson. King Chetak being a true Jain Shravak used to shoot only one kowtow which was divine n would kill the commander of Kaunik every day for 10 days. Ajatshatru prayed to Gods to have a solution to this. Dev's granted him a way to deflect the arrow killing power. When king Chetak saw that his di Ind arrow became useless he climbed a mountain to commit suicide but was protected by Dharnendra Indra and he preached and counselled him. Then he took King Chetak to Devaloka and upon seeing his last time; avowed him to Santhara and thereupon king Chetak the only Shravak to die in Devaloka and born there as Deva.


As told by Sadhavi Vipula Ji Maharaj

See also

Citations
  1. Pannalal Jain 2015, p. 482.
  2. Pannalal Jain 2015, p. 484.

References
  • Jain, Dr. Pannalal (2015), Uttarapurāṇa of Āchārya Guṇabhadra, Bhartiya Jnanpith, ISBN 978-81-263-1738-7
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