Chandragupta Maurya - Jainism and Sallekhana

Jainism and Sallekhana

Chandragupt gave up his throne in 298 BCE, when he was 42 years old, and became an ascetic under the Jain saint Acharya Bhadrabahu, migrating south with them and ending his days in "sallekhana" at Śravaṇa Beḷgoḷa in present day Karnataka, though fifth-century inscriptions in the area support the concept of a larger southern migration around that time. A small temple marks the cave (Bhadrabahu Cave) where he is said to have died by fasting.

There are two hills in Śravaṇa Beḷgoḷa, Chandragiri (Chikkabetta) and Vindyagiri. The last shruta-kevali, Bhadrabahu and his pupil Chandragupta Maurya, are believed to have meditated there. Chandragupta Basadi, which was dedicated to Chandragupta Maurya, was originally built there by Emperor Ashoka in the third century BCE.

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