During that era and as a ruler himself enjoying practically everything under the sun/moon, if without some level of enlightenment, he could not have such a splendid and enlightening well wishes. Namaste ! May the merits of his gracious wish be dedicated to sentient beings of ten directions, adorn the buddha pureland and liberate sentient beings of ten directions. Namaste!
Introduction to the Mauryan Dynasty
In around 325 BC, Alexander the Great attacked the Indus River region and captured large areas and ruled till his death in 323 BC. In 321 BC Chandragupta Maurya (disciple of Chanakya) established the Mauryan Empire after driving the Greeks out in a well planned strategy. His goal was to unite the country as one Nation and was persued until the time of King Asoka (grandson of Chandragupta) But the loss of hundreds of thosands lives in war changed his mind and he gave up war for peace and converted to Buddhism.
Asoka went through a 4 year war of succession after his father's death before recieving the throne. Then, he started conquering new lands. The turning point came during the war of Kalinga which killed thousands of people. With feelings of regret, he became a Buddhist convert.
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