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Significance of Brahmadatta

Brahmadatta is a significant figure across various South Asian traditions, including Buddhism, Jainism, and Purana texts. In Buddhism, he is portrayed as a king who evolves into a silent Buddha, gaining profound insights about life and death. Jainism depicts him as a valorous figure, born of great lineage with divine associations. Furthermore, Brahmadatta serves as the historical context in the Buddhist tales of the Bodhisatta, particularly as the king of Benares, where important moral lessons unfold during his reign.1
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The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Brahmadatta'

Buddhism Books

Brahmadatta in Buddhism refers to a king of Benares, significant both mythologically and historically. His reign coincided with the Bodhisatta's various incarnations, providing context for moral lessons and themes of authority, leadership, and destiny within the narratives.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6

(1) The king reigning in Benares at the time of the Bodhisatta's story.[1] (2) The king who reigned over Benares at the time of the Bodhisatta's tale.[2] (3) The king in Benares during the time of the Bodhisatta's birth as a stag.[3] (4) King of Benares during a past tale recounted in the narrative.[4] (5) The king reigning in Benares during the time of the events in the story.[5]

From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)

(1) A historical figure referenced in the story of the past, ruler of Benares, connected to the narrative illustrating the evolution of the future Buddha.[6]

From: Maha Buddhavamsa鈥擳he Great Chronicle of Buddhas

(1) One of the kings in the lineage of the Sakyan rulers, recognized in the context of their history.[7]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Buddhism (general):

From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)

(1) The name of the king being addressed by the elephant, symbolizing a personal connection across lifetimes.[8] (2) The name of a king in the text who ultimately becomes a silent Buddha.[9] (3) The king who experiences a profound realization about life and death through his observations in the royal garden.[10]

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)

(1) The last king in the lineage of Guha in the city of Hastinapura.[11]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha鈥檚 words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) The king who proclaimed an edict against ingratitude and recognized the significance of the bear's actions.[12]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Hindu concept of 'Brahmadatta'

Hinduism Books

Brahmadatta in Hinduism represents various figures, including a cursed king turned vulture, a king from the Pancalas, and an ancestor-connected warrior, illustrating themes of karma, redemption, and the complex nature of identity across life's cycles.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)

(1) The son granted to Somada by the power of muni Chuli, who later became King of Kampila.[13] (2) The former identity of the vulture, a once-pure king who is cursed and ultimately saved by Rama.[14]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India鈥檚 vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Kavya (poetry):
Kavya Books

From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)

(1) The enemy king of Benares that Vatsa must conquer to secure his reign and shine in prosperity.[15]

Kavya refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or 鈥榚pic poetry鈥� and natya, or 鈥榙ramatic poetry鈥�.

Jain concept of 'Brahmadatta'

Jainism Books

In Jainism, Brahmadatta is interpreted as the seven-hundred-year-old son of Culani and Brahma, a son of King Brahman with prophetic dreams, a powerful cakrin-like king, and a revered Vedas teacher in his village.

Significance in Jainism (general):

From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

(1) Son of Culani and Brahma, noted for a lifespan of seven hundred years.[16] (2) The son of King Brahman who was born from Queen Culani, described as having fourteen great dreams indicating his future power.[17] (3) The king described in the text, likened to a cakrin, who is served by kings and possesses great courage.[18] (4) The teacher of the Vedas in the village.[19]

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, 鈥榮elf-reliance鈥�) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

The concept of Brahmadatta in local and regional sources

History Books

Brahmadatta, the wise and military king of Kanyakubja, is a significant figure in regional sources, emphasizing his strategic prowess and esteemed leadership qualities in historical narratives.

Significance in South Asia:
South Asia Books

From: Buddhist records of the Western world (Xuanzang)

(1) The king of Kanyakubja, who was known for his wisdom and military character.[20]