BHARATVARSH

ASCENSION OF ASHOK

The son of Bindusar and the Grandson of Chandragupt Maurya, Ashoka the great is the most famous ruler of Mauryan empire and the one of the most powerful ruler that graced this land.

But Ashok wasn't always so great, he infact was very cruel in the starting years of his reign. Wait ! Don't judge him so quickly now. Read his story out.

The son of Chandragupt Maurya, Bindusar had married Subhadrangi, in some scriptures she is known by the name of Devi Dharma.

She was falsely accused, framed and conspired against many times by the courtiers. But when Bindusar came to know that his wife was innocent, he made Subhadrangi his Patrani.

Soon Subhadrangi gave birth to Bindusar's child, happy that a son was born the king came into the Patrani's chambers and picked the baby up.

But the smile on his face disappeared seeing the child. The baby was very ugly and his skin was very rough. Bindusar puts the baby back at the crib and stomps out of the room.

That baby was none other than Ashok.

Years went by, and now it was time for choosing the next heir of the Mauryan empire. Bindusar had 2 main wives and many women in his Harem, so in total he had around 100 children.

Upon hearing that the next heir was going to be choosen, young Ashok entered the room of his mother to take blessings. His mother gave him the food she prepared herself.

Bindusar had invited the ascetic Pingala-vatsajiva to determine the next king.

Seeing all his brothers there Ashok became nervous, because his father always disliked him and didn't even wanted to see him. He decided to go back.

As he was leaving, the grandson of Chanakya, Radhagupt stopped him and offered a royal elephant to re-enter the Golden Pavilion.

Thus all of the 100 princes began showing their bravery and Valor. Pingala-vatsajiva instantly knew who would be the next king but he was afraid that Bindusar might behead him if he said the name of Ashok.

The Lunch break took place, while the princes sat on the dining table, Ashok sat on the ground eating his mother's handmade food.

Bindusar asked Pingala-vatsajiva who is worthy of becoming the next King, Pingala-vatsajiva gave a very indirect answer.

"The one who's ride was the most superior." Pingala-vatsajiva said.

Bimdusar got the hint, while all the princes came on horses while Ashok came on an elephant.

"Give me one more hint Mahatma." Bindusar said praying the next king is not who he guessed.

"The one who's seat is the most superior." Pingala-vatsajiva said.

Bindusar again got the hint, while all the princes sat on the chairs, Ashok sat on mother earth, no superior seat.

"Give me one last hint." Bindusar said, still not taking Ashok as the answer.

"The one who's food is the most superior." Pingala-vatsajiva said.

Bindusar again realized that it was Ashok again, as all the princes were eating the food made by chefs, Ashok was eating the food made by his mother.

Bindusar wasn't accepting Ashok to be the King, he wanted his eldest Child, the son of Charumati, Sushim to become the King.

In a few years, Ashok fought and won many wars and even won the hearts of people. Seeing this, Bindusar sent Ashok to supress the rebellious situation at Taxshila.

But midway in the journey, Ashok and his companions realized that Bindusar didn't gave them any weapons. How were they going to calm the rebellion of Taxshila without weapons ?

But Ashok didn't back away, he continued his journey to Taxshila. And surprisingly when he reached Taxshila, the citizens welcomed him by putting flowers in his way, and told him that their rebellion was only against the evil ministers, not the king.

Seeing that Ashok's popularity was now much more than Sushim and people wanted him to be the new King, Bindusar gave Ashok the responsibility of governing Ujjain, just to keep him away from the imperial capital Pataliputra.

In Pataliputra, Sushim once slapped a bald minister on his head in jest. The minister worried that after ascending the throne, Sushim may jokingly hurt him with a sword.

Therefore, he instigated five hundred ministers to support Ashok's claim to the throne when the time came, noting that Ashok was predicted to become a Chakravartin.

Sometime later, Takshashila rebelled again, and Bindusara dispatched Sushim to curb the rebellion. Shortly after, Bindusara fell ill, and expected to die soon.

Bindusar ordered Radhagupt (the Grandson of Chanakya) to call Sushim back to Pataliputra and coronate him as the King. Radhagupt always was in favour of Ashok being the King, so he did send a letter to call Sushim back but he sent it very late.

By then Ashok reached the Pataliputra and asked his father to coronate him as the King of Magadh but Bindusar denied.

Radhagupt suggested to coronate Ashok for the time being, till Sushim reaches Pataliputra. But Bindusar still didn't agree.

Angry and frustrated by his father's resistance, Ashok took the crown of Bindusar and puts it on his head, crowding himself the King of Magadh.

Bindusar kept begging Ashok not become King until the old king took his last breath.

Ashok with the help of Radhagupt, killed Sushim before he could wage war on Magadh.

In Buddhist texts, it is said the Ashok killed 99 of his brothers. But Scholars say the buddhist texts show Ashok more cruel than he was, so it glorifies their religion.

In reality he only killed 6 legitimate children of Bindusar so there is no rightful ruler besides him.

Four years later the death of Bindusar, Ashok was formally coronated as the King of Magadh.

He took on the title of Samrat Devnaampiya Piyadassi Ashok. Devnaampiya means beloved of gods and Piyadassi means pleasant to behold.

And thus started Ashok's reign of terror.

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Coming up next is how, the cruel Ashoka became Ashoka the great.