Asoka killed 99 brothers to get the throne | Fact or Myth ? | A Debate - Page 5

Originally posted by: history_geek

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Radhika,

Thanks for this detailed response. You have touched upon a variety of topics here. I lost a long reply i typed, writing it again, though some points i can not remember this time.

One thing which appears clear after reading those Sanskrit / Pali / German, etc. scans on blog is - These sources have given a kind of divine touch to the story. Take an instance - When Bindusara sends Asoka to quell the rebellion with so much affection and gives him supreme powers to control the four organs of army, then why that army is not given the weapons to fight by our dear Emperor Bindusara ? And, why is Asoka "made to pray" to the Gods to give weapons to his army ? And, suddenly the weapons came out from inside the earth. :-P

These things are sans logic also - Isn't it strange that someone gives you the command of entire army but not assign any weapon to that army ? It's like, our entire army personnel are placed on the border to fight the enemy, but they are not given any weapons in their hands. Imagine the situation. This 'story' almost made a mockery of the wisdom of Bindusara and does not seem probable at all.

There are more such things which can be ascertained after reading the scans. I have not yet posted some other texts as the post would have been long and might get boring, so left it as i wanted this post to be short.

Struggle for throne has been a common feature throughout our history. You've pointed correctly about one of our very own medieval empire.

Lastly, the bit about destroying other sects is also rejected by scholars. If we read the translation carefully, the text says - "The ascetic made a prophecy that Asoka will associate himself ONLY with Buddhism and destroy other sects."

From this 2 things arise -
First, it was a prophecy.
Second, it says Asoka will associate himself ONLY with Buddhism.

Now, these things are again contradicted by Asoka's own rock edict which was posted on the blog where he says, along with his brothers and sisters, the Dhamma officers are also deputed to take care of Kambojas, Brahmans, Greeks, etc..

Even the contemporary Jain literature does not project Buddhism/Asoka as a "threat" to them. If anyone has contrary information then please share here.

This propaganda seems to be the creation of Buddhist texts only, not of rival accounts. The Buddhist texts, it seems, try to show that he lacked all morality before being a Buddhist. In his edicts this does not seem to be the case.

From whatever i have read till now, i could not find this mention of destroying sects after sects as said by Buddhist literature, in the "rival" sects' texts..

Hope i covered all the points.
Thanks again for the fantastic response.
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Originally posted by: Senoritaamor

Who wants to know how sushim died?

Originally posted by: history_geek

Originally posted by: Senoritaamor

Ashok pushed sushim into a burning coal pit.

Originally posted by: Senoritaamor

Bindusara's death in 273 BC led to a civil war over succession. According to Divyavadana, Bindusara wanted Susima to succeed him but Ashoka was supported by his father's ministers. A minister named Radhagupta seems to have played an important role in this succession. One of the Ashokavandana states that Ashoka managed to become the Emperor by getting rid of the legitimate heir to the throne, by tricking him into entering a pit filled with live coals.

So I have given you the answer

I hope you are satisfied.

Originally posted by: Senoritaamor

Oh you're welcome😃

Originally posted by: history_geek

Radhika,

Thanks for this detailed response. You have touched upon a variety of topics here. I lost a long reply i typed, writing it again, though some points i can not remember this time.

One thing which appears clear after reading those Sanskrit / Pali / German, etc. scans on blog is - These sources have given a kind of divine touch to the story. Take an instance - When Bindusara sends Asoka to quell the rebellion with so much affection and gives him supreme powers to control the four organs of army, then why that army is not given the weapons to fight by our dear Emperor Bindusara ? And, why is Asoka "made to pray" to the Gods to give weapons to his army ? And, suddenly the weapons came out from inside the earth. :-P

These things are sans logic also - Isn't it strange that someone gives you the command of entire army but not assign any weapon to that army ? It's like, our entire army personnel are placed on the border to fight the enemy, but they are not given any weapons in their hands. Imagine the situation. This 'story' almost made a mockery of the wisdom of Bindusara and does not seem probable at all.

There are more such things which can be ascertained after reading the scans. I have not yet posted some other texts as the post would have been long and might get boring, so left it as i wanted this post to be short.

Struggle for throne has been a common feature throughout our history. You've pointed correctly about one of our very own medieval empire.

Lastly, the bit about destroying other sects is also rejected by scholars. If we read the translation carefully, the text says - "The ascetic made a prophecy that Asoka will associate himself ONLY with Buddhism and destroy other sects."

From this 2 things arise -
First, it was a prophecy.
Second, it says Asoka will associate himself ONLY with Buddhism.

Now, these things are again contradicted by Asoka's own rock edict which was posted on the blog where he says, along with his brothers and sisters, the Dhamma officers are also deputed to take care of Kambojas, Brahmans, Greeks, etc..

Even the contemporary Jain literature does not project Buddhism/Asoka as a "threat" to them. If anyone has contrary information then please share here.

This propaganda seems to be the creation of Buddhist texts only, not of rival accounts. The Buddhist texts, it seems, try to show that he lacked all morality before being a Buddhist. In his edicts this does not seem to be the case.

From whatever i have read till now, i could not find this mention of destroying sects after sects as said by Buddhist literature, in the "rival" sects' texts..

Hope i covered all the points.
Thanks again for the fantastic response.