According to Jain tradition, King Shrenik (also known as Bimbisara), the ruler of Magadha and a prominent devotee of Lord Mahavira, met his end in tragic circumstances. Jain scriptures such as the "Uttaradhyayana Sutra" and other commentaries describe that due to palace intrigues and the jealousy of his son, Ajatashatru, King Shrenik was imprisoned. He eventually died in captivity after being starved or possibly after being given poisoned food.

Jain texts emphasize that despite his unfortunate end, King Shrenik had accumulated immense punya (spiritual merit) through his devotion to Lord Mahavira and his support of Jain monks. However, due to a specific karmic bondage from a past life, he could not attain liberation in that birth. According to Jain prophecy, King Shrenik is destined to be reborn as the first Tirthankara of the next Utsarpini (ascending time cycle), known as Mahapadma.

Thus, Jainism regards King Shrenik as a significant lay devotee whose life exemplifies both the fruits of devotion and the inescapable consequences of karma.