Asandhimitra | |
---|---|
Empress consort of the Maurya Dynasty | |
Born | 304 BC |
Died | 240 BC (aged c. 64 – 65) |
Spouse | Ashoka (m. 270 BCE) |
Dynasty | Maurya |
Religion | Buddhism |
Asandhamitra (304 BCE – 240 BCE) was an empress and 1st chief consort of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka. She was Ashoka's second wife and first empress consort [1] [2]
Given the title "agramahisi", or "Chief Empress",
[3] Asandhimitra was likely from a royal family.
[2] She did not have any children.
[2] After her death,
Tishyarakshita became the first chief empress of Ashoka.
[1]
According to Maha Bodhi Society, she was married to Ashoka during c. 270-240 BC. [3] She was a trusted, faithful, and favourite wife of Ashoka. She is often referred to as his "beloved" or his "dear" consort and is said to have been a trusted adviser of the emperor. [3] [2] At her death in c. 240 BC, [3] Ashoka was deeply grieved. [2]
The Mahavamsa tells a legend of how she became empress, stating that she became Ashoka's empress because in a previous life, she had given directions to a pratyekabuddha who was looking for a honey merchant. The story says that after the merchant filled his bowl completely with honey, the pratyekabuddha made a vow to become the lord of Jambudvipa. After hearing this, she herself wished they would be reborn as King and Queen, leading them to be reborn as Ashoka and Asandhimitra. [4]
In the Extended Mahavamsa, a story is additionally told that in a separate past life, Asandhimitra gave a pratyekabuddha a piece of cloth, which is thought to have given her the status of Queen, karmically independent of Asoka. [4]
In the Dasavatthuppakarana, it combines both stories into one, telling the story of the pratyekabuddha and the honey merchant and adding that Asandhimitra's past self gifted the same pratyekabuddha with a piece of cloth. [4]