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Specimen-extracts
from Ancient India Vol. II. (For other particulars, see advertisement elsewhere in this number]
We do not know what his name must have been according to astrological position of constellations at the time of his birth. Jaina books state that his name was Samprati". Sometimes it is written as Sampatti-possibly given to him due to his possessing a vast amount of riches. Asoka had given him the name Priyadarsin 10, which he got inscribed in the rock and pillar edicts due to his respect for his grandfather. The Purāņas state that the name of the successor of Asoka was Indrapālit, which may have been another name of Priyadarsin 11. Certain it is that the king who succeeded Asoka on the throne was his grandson Samprati by name1'. Greek books have called him Amitrochades 13; Jaina books have given him a similar name, Amitrāghāt 14.
Some scholars say that one of his names was Dasarath,
(9) In Magadhi language, the name is Samprati. (J. S. L. Sangraha, pp. 41).
(10) G. V. S. Asoka, pp. 6:-"Priyadarsin" means, "One who looks (at others) with love" or "one who is dear to the sight". Cf. pp. 249. Some scholars think that "Priyadarsin" is a mere epithet. Really speaking it is a proper noun.
Smith, Asoka, pp. 22, f. n. no. 2:—"I do not deny that the chronicles of Ceylon used Piyadasi and Piyadassan as quasi-proper names; but I affirm that, in the inscriptions the titles are not used.
(11) This name is discussed later on.
(12) Rāsamālă, vol. I. pp. 7, (London, 1856 edi.); "Samprati is a fabulous prince". The reader will see that this observation is quite false.
(13) I. C. C. (Hultzch), Asoka, pp. 35, and line 25 of 31; Bhilsă Topes, pp. 92; for further details read the next chapter.
(14) Scholars have ascribed this name to Bindusār on the theory that Sandrecottus was Chandragupta. This name belongs to Priyadarsin, while Bindusār's another name was Amitraketu. Pp. 204 f. 9. 2o. 41 and 43.
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
