EMPEROR ASHOKA 273-232 BC

In 304 BC , the second emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, Bindusara, welcomed a son into the world. The boy’s mother Dharma was only a commoner and he had several older half-brothers. This boy was named Asoka Bindusara Maurya. Asoka had been given the royal military training knowledge. He was a fearsome hunter, and according to a legend, he killed a lion with just a wooden rod. He was very adventurous and a trained fighter, who was known for his skills with the sword.

Asoka was appointed the new emperor of the Mauryan Empire in the 274 BC. After a number of military conquests and wars with his half-brothers. Asoka reigned over most of South Asia and beyond, from present day Afghanistan in the North to Bengal in the East and as far as Mysore.

A SUDDEN CHANGE OF HEART

Asoka’s reign as emperor began wit a series of wars and bloodshed, culminating in the Kalinga war of 260 BC. The continuous loss of lifes and suffering witnessed on the battlefield made him turn away from wars. He subsequently became deeply influenced by Buddhism, and adopted the “Dharma”, which consist of basic virtuous teachings that can be practiced by all men regardless of social origins.

ASOKA’S SELF DISCIPLINEHe taught and persuaded his people to love and respect all

living things. He insisted on the recognition of the Sanctity of all human life.He abolished the unnecessary slaughter of animals. He established the law to protect the wildlife.Asoka also showed mercy on the imprisoned people by allowing them to leave.Universities were build by Asoka for the studies of the human being. He treated his subjects as equalsRegardless of their religion,Politics and cast.He adopted a calm and politenature and his main aim was to convey his disciplines in hispeople. As, Dharma conveys the messageof calmness and showing love toThe mankind Asoka adopted allthose qualities in his disciplines.So, as a result he is still known as“Asoka the Great” and is still Respected as a great leader.

ASOKA’S SWORD

MONUMENTS WERE BUILD BY ASOKA

ASOKA’S EMPIRE

ASOKA’S LEADERSHIPAsoka was a frightening warrior with a

mighty heart. This was made clear by his fearless skills with his sword in the battlefields.He was and will always be a great leader in the history.He leaded his men to great success and guided them to always act as a great fighter.He established a good government as an ideal to be venerated and kindredly administered. King Asoka undoubtedly has to be credited with the first serious attempt to develop a Buddhist polity. Today, with widespread disillusion in prevailing ideologies, and the search for a political philosophy that goes beyond greed (capitalism), hatred (communism) and delusion (dictatorship led by “infallible” leaders), Asoka’s edicts may still make a meaningful contribution to the development of a more spiritually-based political system of a good government for every nation.

ASOKA’S BEHAVIOUR AND ETHICS

During his reign, Asoka became an avid Buddhist practitioner, building 84000 stupas across his empire to house the sacred relics of the lord Buddha. He sent his family on religious pilgrimages to foreign places, and staged a massive assembly so holy men from the world over could converse upon the philosophies of the day. More than even Buddhism was Asoka’s deep involvement in the Dharma. The Dharma became the ultimate expression of the moral and ethical standards he desired his subjects to live by. Asoka defined the main principles of Dharma as non-violence, tolerance of all sects and opinions, obedience to parents, respect for the Brahmans and other religious teachers and priests, liberality towards friends, human treatment of servants and generosity towards all. These principles suggest a general ethic of behavior to which no religious a social group could object.And these are all the ethical behaviors followed by Asoka.

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