Ashokavadana
Indian Sanskrit-language text / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ashokavadana (Sanskrit: अशोकावदान; IAST: Aśokāvadāna; "Narrative of Ashoka") is an Indian Sanskrit-language text that describes the birth and reign of the third Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. It contains legends as well as historical narratives, and glorifies Ashoka as a Buddhist emperor whose only ambition was to spread Buddhism far and wide.[2]
Quick Facts Author, Language ...
Author | Possibly Buddhist monks of the Mathura region |
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Language | Sanskrit |
Series | Divyavadana |
Subject | Life of King Ashoka |
Genre | Fictional legend narrative |
Publication date | 4-5th century[1] |
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Ashokavadana, also known as Ashokarajavadana, is one of the avadana texts contained in the Divyavadana (Divyāvadāna, "Divine Narrative"), an anthology of several Buddhist legends and narratives. According to Jean Przyluski, the text was composed by the Buddhist monks of the Mathura region, as it highly praises the city of Mathura, its monasteries and its monks.[3][4]