24 YEARS OF VARSHAVAAS-SHRAWASTI!

SAHET

 Shrawasti, was the capital of the Kosala Kingdom during the sixth century BC. It was then called Shavathhi.This place in North East UP, is on the foothills of the Himalayas near the river Rapti,  which was called Achiravati during the time of the Buddha. The Buddha spent 24 monsoon months( varshavaas) here. Kapilvastu and Vaishali were vassals of the Kosala Kingdom. Raja Prasenjit or Pasenadi was the King over here during the time of the Buddha.

It is said that a prosperous Shreshti named Sudatta also called "Anath pindika" because of his generosity to orphans had visited Rajgriha where he heard the discourse of Buddha. He wanted Buddha to visit Shrawasti and therefore wanted to buy a large garden for Buddha's stay and to construct a Vihara for his followers. The garden selected was very huge and was owned by  Prince Jeta, who did not wish to part with the garden. He therefore told Sudatta that if he covered the garden with  gold coins the garden would be given to him. It is said that Sudatta covered the place with 108 million gold pieces and donated the place for use of the Buddha. Today this is the place where a number of ruins of viharas and temples have been found. It is now called Sahet.

THE PLACE WHERE BUDDHA WALKED

The place is maintained beautifully. It is very huge and spread out. There were many monasteries here once upon a time and the place where Buddha usually sat and meditated as well as the strip where he would take a walk are also well preserved. There is an Anadakuti and a Gandha kuti here. 

ANAND BODHI TREE

There is an Ananda Bodhi tree which is venerated. The sapling was brought from Bodhgaya by Ananda. I met the same Srilankan group of pilgrims that I had met earlier at Bodhgaya and Kushinara under the Bodhi tree. Here also they had beautified the place with flowers, flags and their silent procession. All of them were in white and devotion and peace was written large on their countenance.

BUDDHA MEDITATED HERE

After sitting inside the ruin of the little area where Buddha used to meditate, I   learnt that peace and forgiveness is the biggest weapon of all times.

From Sahet we went to a place called Mahet where there are two stupas called the "pakki kuti" and the "kacchhi kuti". The kacchi kuti is the stupa of Anathpindika and the pakki kuti is the jail of Angulimala. 

Angulimal's prison

STUPA OVER PRISON

Angulimala it is said had studied at Takshashila, but had later become a dacoit who waylaid travelers and cut off their little finger and put a garland of the cut fingers around his neck. After meeting the Buddha, he was reformed and gave up this crime. The mound or Stupa is over Angulimala's jail.

WOMEN DISCIPLES

Vishakha the first female disciple of Buddha also belonged to Shravasti. She was married to Punnavaddhana the son of Migara, a rich but miserly merchant. She was the daughter of Dhananjaya and Sumanadevi who originally belonged to Magadh, which was a prosperous place where there were a number of shreshtis. Dhananjaya the son of Mendeka of Magadh therefore shifted to Shrawasti in search of better opportunities. Vishakha was the daughter of this Dhananjaya. Vishakha built the Pubbarama Monastery, where Buddha spent six years of varshavaas. She was a wise lady and devoted to the Buddha, and was quite influential. 

MONASTERIES AT THE BACK & A TEMPLE

King Prasenjit or Pasenadi as he was then called built the Rajakarama Monastery. Pasenadi had studied at Takshshila too and was married to a Princess of Magadh. His own sister was married to King Bimbisara of Magadh. Pasenadi was very devoted to the Buddha but wondered how Buddha had become enlightened at such a young age. At this the Buddha had told him not to doubt  a noble warrior, a serpent,fire and a bhikku, because an enraged warrior may cause harm, the bite of a serpent may kill, a small fire may turn into an inferno and a young Bhikku could also be enlightened. Pasenadi's daughter Vajira was married to Ajatshatru. In those times too there was movement for the sake of business, education as well as marriages!

MODERN TEMPLES

Near these ruins and stupas of Sahet and Mahet, there are beautiful temples built by the Srilankan, Chinese, Myanmarese and  Thais. Close by is a huge bell donated by the Japanese.

ANATHPINDIKA'S STUPA AT MAHET

Shravasti is quite close to Lucknow and the road via Balrampur is good. 

ACHIRAVATI THEN…RAPTI NOW.