[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Dictionary of Pali Proper Names](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937) › v1.c6.3486 # Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c6.3486 Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names v1.c6.3486 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c6.3486](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c6.3486) In his youth Asoka was appointed Governor of Avanti with his capital at Ujjeni.⁴ When Bindusāra lay on his death-bed, Asoka left Ujjeni and came to Pāṭaliputta where he made himself master of the city and possessor of the throne. He is stated in the \*Mahāvaṃsa\*⁵ to have killed all his brothers except Tissa that he might accomplish his purpose, and to have been called Caṇḍāsoka on account of this outrage.⁶ It is impossible to say how much truth there is in this account of the accession. Asoka’s Rock Edicts seem to indicate that he had numerous brothers, sisters and relations alive at the time they were written in Pāṭaliputta and other towns.⁷ His brother Tissa he appointed as his \*uparāja\*,⁸ but Tissa (\*q.v.\*) became a religious devotee attaining arahantship. The \*Theragāthā Commentary\*⁹ refers to another younger brother of Asoka, \*\*Vitāsoka\*\*, who also became an arahant. - [Previous: v1.c6.3485](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c6.3485) - [Next: v1.c6.3487](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c6.3487) - [Up: v1.c6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c6) ## Cites (1) - [Mahāvaṃsa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada_postcanon.vamsa.mahavamsa) — Pāli --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c6.3486](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c6.3486) · Pramāṇa