49 - Empires and Invasions

Then the king said, “Venerable sir, will you discuss with me again?”
“If your majesty will discuss as a scholar, yes; but if you will discuss as a king, no.”
“How is it then that scholars discuss?”
“When scholars discuss there is a summing up and an unravelling; one or other is shown to be in error. He admits his mistake, yet he does not become angry.”
“Then how is it that kings discuss?”
“When a king discusses a matter and advances a point of view, if anyone differs from him on that point he is apt to punish him.”
“Very well then, it is as a scholar that I will discuss. Let your reverence talk without fear.”
from "The Debate of King Milinda"

It's not the normal type of image I use on the blog and I'll explain later!

Episode 49! Our last one in India for a while and we're off to a bold new chapter of Podcast History. Ooo where are we going next? You'll have to listen to find out!

Music: Saraseeruhasana

48 - Ashoka the Great

"Beloved-of-the-Gods speaks thus: Twelve years after my coronation I started to have Dhamma edicts written for the welfare and happiness of the people, and so that not transgressing them they might grow in the Dhamma. Thinking: "How can the welfare and happiness of the people be secured?" I give attention to my relatives, to those dwelling near and those dwelling far, so I can lead them to happiness and then I act accordingly. I do the same for all groups. I have honored all religions with various honors. But I consider it best to meet with people personally."

This Dhamma edict was written twenty-six years after my coronation. 
-Pillar Edict #6 of Ashoka

Err...I promise it will make sense in this episode

India's greatest emperor isn't known for his military conquests or building projects or really anything else other emperors do! What Ashoka has that others don't is a genuine compassion for life and a desire to spread happiness.

Well, I mean, after a youth spent doing the opposite...details, details!

Music: Sahana

47 - Chandragupta Maurya & Son

"A king desirous of expanding his own power shall make use of the six-fold policy. Agreements of peace shall be made with equal and superior kings; and an inferior king shall be attacked. Whoever goes to wage war with a superior king will be reduced to the same condition as that of a foot-soldier opposing an elephant. Just as the collision of an unbaked mud-vessel with a similar vessel is destructive to both, so war with an equal king brings ruin to both."
- Chanakya "The Arthashastra"

Why don't we get the adventures of Chandragupta and Chanakya here in the states?
This has incredible potential!

I initially planned on condensing the Mauryans into one episode but the more I read, the more I realized they're so interesting they need to be split up! If you're playing at home that means Ashoka won't be in this one but his dad and grandpappy are!


Music: Jaijaivanthi

46 - Magadha

"That lord of Mahapadma, King Nanda, will rule over the entire earth just like a second Parashurama (6th avatar of Vishnu), and no one will challenge his authority."
-Bhagavata Purana

It doesn't seem like much, but this site in Rajgir has a pretty morbid history behind it! For the background story you've got to listen!

Ooo an episode within a week of a previous episode? Sounds like I've got some time on my hands! This was supposed to be one large one, but instead I'll release this part first, and spend more time getting into the Mauryan Empire and what came after in the next episode. Enjoy!

Music: Pariyaachakamaa