The Ashoka
Introduction and the Life of Ashoka
- Ashoka was a great king not only in the history of India but also across the whole world.
- His father Bindusar had many wives. There is difference of opinion about his mother also among historians.
- Some are of the view that Ashoka was born to Greek wife of Bindusar. But there is hardly any proof to justify this logic. Divyavadan mentions that his mother was Janpad kalyani. At some place, her name appears as Subhradangi.
- She gave birth to two sons, Ashoka and Vigatashok (Tishya).
- Suseem was step brother of Ashoka.
- Ashoka received education with his brother Tishya and step brothers only.
- Bindusar made Ashoka governor (Kumar)of Ujjain and later on, of Takshshila.
- It is stated that when Bindusara died Ashoka captured the throne with the help of the Ministers headed by Khallataka or Radhagupta.
- That led to a war of succession between Ashoka and Susima. Yuvaraja Susima, was helped by his other 98 brothers except Tishya.
- The story is that Ashoka killed all his 99 brothers and waded through blood to the throne and thereby got the notorious title of ChandAshoka.
- It is difficult to settle the controversy regarding the first four years of the reign of Ashoka.
- However, it is certain that Ashoka was consecrated after four years after his accession to the throne.
- According to the Ashokavadana, Bindusara dispatched prince Ashoka to suppress a rebellion in the city of Takshashila.
- Ashoka took up the title of Devanampiya Piyadasi or the beloved of the gods and was of an amiable nature.
- The name Ashoka is found in literature and also in the Makti Edict of Ashoka and the Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman I.
- The name DharmAshoka is found on the Sarnath inscription of Kumaradevi
- Ashoka's edicts state that during his eighth regnal year (c. 260 BCE), he conquered Kalinga after a brutal war, and the destruction caused by the war made him repent violence.
- Ashoka's edicts suggest that a few years after the Kalinga war, he was gradually drawn towards Buddhism.
- In 1837, a British scholar named James Prinsep deciphered the inscriptions on the pillars and rocks that are found in many parts of India. It was in Brahmi script.
- From these inscriptions, it was concluded that Ashoka and the ruler named Devanampiya Priyadarsi were one and the same person.
Extension of Ashoka’s Empire-
- As per ancient ruler’s tradition, he too had ideal of winning all regions.
- As a result, he decided to attack those regions, which were not part of Mauryan Empire even till now.
- He attacked Kashmir and merged it in his kingdom.
- Ashoka himself has given quite an explicit list of the places which were under his rule.
- These include Magadha, Pataliputra, Barabar hills, Kaushambi, Lumbini-gama, Kalinga, Atavi (the forest tract of mid India), Suvarnagiri, Isila, Ujjaini and Taxila.
- Empire also included Kamboja, which corresponds to Rajapur or Rajaur near punch in Kashmir, and also Gandhara, territory now west of Indus with its capital Pushkaravati
In East-
- Apart from this, we have a clear proof that Gangaridai, i.e., the area of Bengal was under Ashoka
In west
- Its boundary was western sea, which gets certified by inscriptions of Girnar at Kathiawar and Sopra at Thane district in Mumbai.
- Saurashtra was in his empire has one more evidence.
- Shaka king Rudradaman writes in his inscription that provincial governor of Ashoka Greek Tushaspa carved out canals for farming from Sudarshan lake, made by stopping river fl ow by provincial governor of Chandragupta, Pushyagup
In south India-
- Southern boundary was up till Maski and Iragudi of Nizam and up to Cheetaldurg of Mysore since Ashoka inscriptions have been found there.
- To the south of this boundary, there were estates of Chola, Pandyas, Satiaputra and Keralputra.
- The areas up to the river Pennar near Nellore formed the frontier of Ashoka’s kingdom
Battle of Kalinga-
- Kalinga was a prosperous little kingdom lying between the river Godavari and Mahanadi, close to the Bay of Bengal.
- It had an infantry of 60,000 men, 10,000 horsemen and 600 elephants.
- Ashoka wanted to capture this fertile land, and so had it surrounded.
- During last ruler of Nand Vansh, Dhananand, Kalinga was part of Magadha Empire.
- It appears that taking benefi t of transition phase of decline of Nand and rising of Maurya regime, they became independent.
- But, it was intolerable for Magadha to have such a powerful state in its neighbourhood.
- Hence, Ashoka decided to finish its liberty.
- From 13th inscriptions of Ashoka, we get to know that Kalinga was defeated and merged in Magadha Empire.
- It is said that around 2.5 lacs were killed and the same injured in this war.
- Around 15,000 were made captive, lacs of women and children were rendered orphans.
- The horrible bloodshed of kalinga was had great infl uence on Ashoka’s mind.
- His thoughts changed and he gave up policy of imperialism.
- The sight of the terrible carnage and the miseries of war filled Ashoka with remorse.
- He vowed never to make war again.
- The war drums (Bherighosh) were silenced forever and henceforth were heard only the reverberations of the Dhammaghosh (the call to non-violence and universal peace).
- After Kalinga war, he pledged that he shall do Dharmaghosh in place of Ranaghosh
The Ashoka and Budhism-
- After Kalinga war he decided to give up the war.
- He now became Dharmashoka (the pious Ashoka) from Chandashoka.
- He converted to Buddhism.
- Ashoka embraced Buddhism under the influence of Buddhist monk, Upagupta.
- Ashoka came in contact with Bauddha Bhikshu Upgupta and was impressed with his purity of behavior, thoughts and greatness.
- In he company, his inclination towards Bauddha faith increased and he accepted Buddhism.
- Initially, some historians had doubt about him following Buddhism, but there are plenty evidences of his Buddhism following.
- Deepvansh and Mahavansh clearly state that he accepted Buddhism from a small Bhikshu.
- Moggaliputta Tissa, a Buddhist monk, became his mentor.
- At one place, it has been said that for 2 years, he lived like a worshipper and did not show interest in religious activity.
- Afterwards, he adopted Buddhism.
- After that, he toured Bauddha pilgrim sites, started constructing Stupas, closed yagna and had a convention of Bauddha followers.
- Ashoka even conducted the third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra in 247 BC under Moggaliputta Tissa’s presidency.
- Ashoka made Buddhism as the State Religion.
- As a result, many of his subjects converted to Buddhism.
- Even successors of Ashoka adopted is considering it as parental religion and hence it continued to be State religion for long
Ashoka’s Dhamma-
- Religion of Ashoka was a blend of principles of life and thought, which even today are relevant and can be applied on entire humanity.
- The word ‘dhamma’ was derived from the Sanskrit word ‘dharma.’ Ashoka followed the principles of Buddhism—that of truth, charity, kindness, purity and goodness.
- He wanted his people to lead pure and virtuous lives, irrespective of their religion or culture.
- He considered all subjects his children.
- He explained his ideas in his edicts by engraving his principles on pillars throughout his kingdom
Some of It includes-
- Mother and father should be obeyed and likewise the elders.
- Steadfastness (in kindness) should be shown towards the living beings.
- The truth must be spoken.
- Teachers should be honoured by the pupil.
- Relatives should be respected.
- Abstention from slaughter of life (lives) (Arambho prananam).
- Avoidance of injury to the creatures (Avihisa Bhutanam)
- Danam: liberality towards ascetics, friends, comrades, relatives and the aged.
- Satyam: truthfulness (Minor Rock Edict II, Pillar Edicts II and VII) etc.
From some of these points we can say that Dhamma of Ashoka was not some specific religious norms or ideology but it includes ethical,Humanistic etc. Aspects in it
Religion and its propagation by Ashoka-
- He did not emphasize on religious activity, rituals and customs.
- He stressed on purity of character, behaviour and karma.
- His fundamental mantras were service of parents, friends, relatives, guru and servants.
- His preaching was to respect Brahman and have mercy for animals
- He did not confine religious tolerance to preachings only but implemented in his life as well.
- He respected Brahman, Aajivik, Nirgranth etc faiths and considered interests of everyone.
- He got constructed caves for Aajivik community in the mountains of Barabar.
- Officials like Rajuk, Pradeshik and yut were involved in religious promotion.
- Mahamatras started visiting different parts of empire and helped in religious promotion.
- He started lots of donation for spreading of Budhism and his relegious ideology
Propagation of Religion Abroad—
- Ashoka sent men and women Bauddha Bhikshus, propagators, preachers and even members of his family in huge contingents to promote Buddhism in Lanka, Java, Sumatra, China, Japan, Asia miner, Greece and Egypt etc.
- Leadership of contingent going to Sinhala Dweep (lanka) was led by his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra(Mahindra and Sanghamitra were twins born by his 2nd wife, Devi, in the city of Ujjain).
- Ashoka made several Bauddha Maths in his state and provided financial assistance to old ones.
- Translated of Buddhist literature in Local Language