Issue Chellana Clan Licchavi Name Chetaka Chetaka | Children Chellana | |
Chetaka, 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.
He was a 5th century BC contemporary of Gautama Buddha and Jain Tirthankara (Teaching God) Mahavira. His system of government appears to have been a republican committee which elected a ceremonial king to act upon the committee's advice. His sister Trishala was married to Siddhartha and gave birth to 24th Tirthankara Mahavira, and his daughter Chellana married Bimbisara.
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. According to the text, Chetaka had ten sons and seven daughters. His sister Priyakarini (also known as Trishala) was married to Siddartha. His daughter Chellana married Shrenik (also known as Bimbisara).