the Sattapanni (Saptparni) caves Rajgriha. In Mahayana Buddhism, Ajatashatru plays a significant soteriological role. He appears in the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra as a being completely overtaken by evil and suffering, and as such the prototype of an ordinary, sinful person who can only be saved by the Buddha's compassion; the Buddha even declares in this sutra that he will "remain in the world for the sake of Ajatashatru". This episode, along with the broader theme of the Age of Dharma Decline, informed several Mahayana schools' emphasis on faith rather than accumulating merit. Whether Ajatashatru was a Jain or Buddhist, both texts accounted for him as a devotee of the respective religions. Depictions in popular culture A fictionalised account of Ajatashatru – depicted as a physically gross and tyrannical figure , who delights in committing atrocities and massacres – appears in Gore Vidal's novel Creation. A film about his life was released titled Ajatashatru. He also features as the protagonist in the film Amrapali (1966), starring Sunil Dutt and Vyjayanthimala in titular role. A book about his life was written titled Ajatashatru, by Subba Rao. See also Jain Agamas (Śvētāmbara) Samaññaphala Sutta Maharaja Ajasath, a biographical Sinhala-language film directed by Sanath Abesekara. Gayan Wickramathilaka played the character Avanti-Magadhan Wars References Citations Sources Further reading Ācharya Nagrajji D.Litt. "Agama and Tripitaka- A comparative study of Lord Mahavira and Lord Buddha", vol. 1, History and Tradition, chapter 14 "Follower Kings" pg.355-377. (English version by Muni Mahendrakumarji) published by Concept Publishing Company, New Delhi 110059. G.P.Singh,2004. "Early Indian Historical Tradition and Archaeology". D.K.Printworld(P)Ltd-New Delhi 110015; pp. 164, 165 Jain Aagam 1st Upanga Uvavai Sutta Chapter Kunika Basham, A. L. (1951) “Ajātasattu’s War with the Licchavis,” Proceedings of the Indian History Congress 14: 37–41. Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/44303932. External links Entry on Ajatasattu in the Buddhist Dictionary of Pali Proper Names Indian Buddhists 5th-century BC Indian Buddhists 5th-century BC Indian monarchs Buddhist monarchs Patricides History of Bihar Year of birth unknown Haryanka dynasty 460s BC deaths Indian Buddhist monarchs Kings of Magadha