Five years have passed since the end of the Mauryan Civil War. Samrat Asoka rules the Indian sub-continent from his capital, Patliputra. His brutal wars of conquest have earned him the name Chandasoka (Evil One). His enemies fear him, as do his own people. But the maritime republic of Kalinga stands free in the south-east, the last Mahajanpada, inspired by the values of democracy, equality and peace. In Book III of the epic Asoka Trilogy lies the answer to the great question: Who will be remembered as the greatest Samrat of the land of the Aryas?

Bharatvarsha, Land Of The Aryas: 272 BC Bindusar, the second Samrat Chakravartin of all the Aryas, rules the Indian sub-continent from his capital, Patliputra. Fifty years previously, his father, Chandragupta Maurya, had laid the foundations of this vast Samrajya, guided by the famed Guru, Arya Chanakya. But the pinnacle of the Empire’s wealth and glory has now passed… As the Samrat’s health declines due to .a mysterious illness, problems and factions, in-fighting and rebellion, raise their heads across his realm. There is no clear successor as the ninety-nine sons of Bindusar vie to ascend the throne. Bharatvarsha waits for a warrior-king to rise up and lead the Empire once again. Can young Prince Asoka, least favoured of Bindusar’s sons, take on his grandfather’s mantle? Can Radhagupta, a mere Councillor at Court, be the inspiration Chanakya was to his Emperor and his people? Book I of the epic Asoka Trilogy revolves around the haunting question: Who will be the next Samrat of the revered land of the Aryas? The first book of this riveting narrative captures the decline of a golden age, the upsurge of greed and chaos, the dark aspirations of royal heirs, and the dramatic events in the remarkable life of a man of destiny.

The historical novel ‘Ashoka the Great’ is the life story of one of India’s greatest monarchs, living in the 3d century B.C. The Ashoka-chakra, the wheel of Dharma, adorns since India’s independence the Indian flag. His nearly 40 years’ government is viewed today by scholars as the first welfare state the world has known. In part 1 of the trilogy, The Wild Prince, we see how his passionate but honest character leads him often into difficulties. He is praised for his pride and courage yet feared for his direct tough actions, looking through the trickery of enemies. As the successor of his father he becomes The Wise Ruler, part 2, a governor ruling with wisdom, strict laws and justice. After a terrible war in which numerous people lost their life, he embraced Buddhism, forswearing all wars of attack. After years of ruling, applying the wisdom of Gautama the Buddha, he becomes Dharmashoka, the great admonisher, part 3.

Fans have long wondered what happened to Ahsoka after she left the Jedi Order near the end of the Clone Wars, and before she re-appeared as the mysterious Rebel operative Fulcrum in Rebels. Finally, her story will begin to be told. Following her experiences with the Jedi and the devastation of Order 66, Ahsoka is unsure she can be part of a larger whole ever again. But her desire to fight the evils of the Empire and protect those who need it will lead her right to Bail Organa, and the Rebel Alliance....

This first English translation of the Asokavadana text, the Sanskrit version of the legend of King Asoka, first written in the second century A.D. Emperor of India during the third century B.C. and one of the most important rulers in the history of Buddhism. Asoka has hitherto been studied in the West primarily from his edicts and rock inscriptions in many parts of the Indian subcontinent. Through an extensive critical essay and a fluid translation, John Strong examines the importance of the Asoka of the legends for our overall understanding of Buddhism. Professor Strong contrasts the text with the Pali traditions about Kind Asoka and discusses the Buddhist view of kingship, the relationship of the state and the Buddhist community, the king s role in relating his kingdom to the person of the Buddha, and the connection between merit making, cosmology, and Buddhist doctrine. An appendix provides summaries of other stories about Asoka.

The story of how Ashoka the Fierce became known as Ashoka the Great. As a boy, Ashoka was overlooked as a successor to his father, the emperor. He grew to become arrogant, impatient, and above all, angry. Wanting nothing more than to be king, Ashoka learned to be cunning, and when he finally managed to ascend to the throne, he was eager for war. But after a particularly brutal battle, Ashoka was heartbroken and haunted by the death and devastation he had caused. This moment marked a momentous change of heart. Upon returning home, Ashoka’s wife encouraged him to study and practice the Buddhist teachings and to move beyond his destructive past. When Ashoka finally met a wise Buddhist monk, it transformed the way he saw the world and the role of an emperor. Ashoka spent the rest of his days tirelessly working to help his people and promoting the qualities of compassion, tolerance, and virtue.

Bharatvarsha, Land Of The Aryas: 272 EL Bindusar, the Samrat Chakravartin of all the Aryas, ruler of the Indian sub¬continent, is dead. Chaos rules as the royal succession turns upon intrigue, dark coalitions, violence and death. The realm stands divided and civil war ensues. In Vidishanagri: Asoka kills his brother's Ashwamedha stallion and marches to Patliputra with his army. The Ancient Brahminical Order rises in his support. Have they made the right choice? In Taxila: The rightful heir, Sushem, raises an army to meet the challenge posed by his ambitious and gifted brother, Asoka. He prepares to march to the capital and seize the throne by force. Will history repeat itself? Will Sushem achieve what his grandfather Chandragupta did? In Junagarh: Guildmaster Hardeo sets out on a private mission to cquire the great salt pans of Sindh. Will he succeed in his secret enterprise? In Vidishanagri: Radhagupta travels to fulfill the task allotted to him by the Order. Kanakdatta, the Buddhist, stands up to stop him. Will Radhagupta fail in his mission? The winds of war howl over the sub-continent, blowing every last person one way or the other. Blood will be spilled, secrets revealed and men ruined. History shall be made. In Book II of the epic Asoka Trilogy, the storm approaches — the harbinger of death and destruction. When the dust finally settles the great question will be answered: Who is the next Samrat of the revered lands of the Aryas?