History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c16.s2.5

c16.s2.5

Evidence that Aśoka was a friend of the Ājīvika order, and that it flourished during his reign, rests on the very solid basis of his own inscriptions. Literary references also link him with the Ājīvikas. Both the *Divyāvadāna*³ and the *Mahāvaṃsa Commentary*⁴ tell of an Ājīvika mendicant attached to the court of King Bindusāra, Aśoka’s father, who correctly prophesied the coming greatness of the Prince. In the first account he is called Piṅgalavats-ājīva, a *parivrājaka*, and seems to have been a court prognosticator. At the invitation of Vindusāra he watches the princes at play, and by various omens he recognizes that Aśoka will become king. As Aśoka is not the favourite prince Piṅgalavatsa dares not tell the King of his prophecy, and when questioned refuses to give a definite answer. But he tells Aśoka’s mother, Queen Subhadrāṅgī, of her son’s coming greatness, and on her advice he leaves the kingdom, lest Vindusāra force an answer from him. On the death of Vindusāra he returns to the Magadhan court.