Samipya 2007 Vol 24 Ank 01 02

SR No.: 535843
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: R P Mehta, R T Savalia
Publisher: Bholabhai Jeshingbhai Adhyayan Sanshodhan Vidyabhavan
Publication Year: 2007
Total Pages: 125
Language: Gujarati
Classification: Magazine, India_Samipya, & India
File Size: 10 MB

Page 20

Jalandhara. It appears from the Divyavadana", that the included sakala and himself continued to reside in Pataliputra.
Pushyamitra, was Mauryan genral for 24 years. So, even after accession to the power, he assumed the title of or fa and it is reffered to in Puranas, Harivansa and Harsacarita." In the Harivansa", the Brahman Senäni restoring the Asvamedha sacrifice is mentioned.
Bāṇabhatta (c. 607-648 A.D.), who flourished eight centuries after the event of assasination, relates some details of the story."
Bühler translates the passage 'And reviewing the whole army, under the pretext of showing him his forces, the main general Pushyamitra crushed his master, Brihadratha the Maurya, who was weak of purpose. The rendering by Cowell" and Thomas"" deffers but slightly having displayed his whole army on the pretext of manifesting his power". Buhlar's version is preferable.
Dr. Radha Kumud Mookerji" describes this event, on the basis of this passage: Pushyamitra, the senapati or commander-in-chief, assembled the entire Maurya imperial army, evidently on the pretext that he was anxious that his sovereign should see for himself with his own eyes what a fine fighting force he could put into the field of battle, and then assessinated him at the miliatary parade and review. Already Pushyamitra was carefully preparing the ground for his coue D'E'TAT by seducing his army from its loyalty to the Maurya king.
The event was famous in the contemporary society. A commentator of Banabhatta confirms this fact.
The Brahman general could not find the situation rather easy. In fact last years of the Mauryan rulers, who were very weak, witnessed the collapse of the vast Aśokan empire in different directions. The first task before the new ruler was to integrate the loose fabrics, and reclaim the lost portion of the Maurya empire to a considerable extent.
The chief events of his reign were -
(i) The settlement of the Vidišă and Vidarbha affair.
(ii) The invasion of the Yavanas, very likely twice.
(iii) The performance of two horse-sacrifices.
(iv) The possible invasion of Magadha by King Kharavela of Kalinga as suggested by some scholars.
(i) The only reference to the Vidarbha problem is afforded by the Malavikägnimitra of Kalidasa." The relation between Vidarbha and Vidiśä became straine. Vidarbha king Yagñasena arrested Madhavasena, his own cousin. Madhavasena was friend of Agnimitra, Pushyamamitra's son. Agnimitra defeated Yagñasena and released Madhavasena. Now,
Pushyamitra Founder of Sung Empire
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