Difference between revisions of "Kunala"
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| − | Kunala or Kunāl (Devanāgarī: कुणाल, 3rd Century B.C) was the son of [[Emperor]] [[Ashoka]] and {{Wiki|Queen}} Padmavati, and presumptive heir to [[Ashoka]], thus the heir to the Mauryan [[Empire]] which once ruled almost all of the [[Indian]] subcontinent. After the departure of [[Mahendra]] who was the heir apparent, he was supposed to be the future heir to the {{Wiki|empire}}, he was blinded by another of [[Ashoka's]] wives, Tishyaraksha, at a young age in [[jealousy]]. While he was not able to take the throne, his son, Samprati, became his heir. | + | [[File:6732 n.jpg|thumb|250px|]] |
| + | [[Kunala]] or Kunāl (Devanāgarī: कुणाल, 3rd Century B.C) was the son of [[Emperor]] [[Ashoka]] and {{Wiki|Queen}} Padmavati, and presumptive heir to [[Ashoka]], thus the heir to the {{Wiki|Mauryan}} [[Empire]] which once ruled almost all of the [[Indian]] subcontinent. After the departure of [[Mahendra]] who was the heir apparent, he was supposed to be the future heir to the {{Wiki|empire}}, he was blinded by another of [[Ashoka's]] wives, [[Tishyaraksha]], at a young age in [[jealousy]]. While he was not able to take the throne, his son, [[Samprati]], became his heir. | ||
Significance of name | Significance of name | ||
| − | The [[name]] Kunal in Hindi, Arabic, and Spanish means "Eagle" or "Protector of the Skies", thus it meaning 'Kunal' symbolises the Eagle. The eagle his [[name]] symbolises is the Black Eagle and also symbolises the spider, and is said as this because he was one who gave {{Wiki|hope}} and was someone that [[people]] could go to for help, representing the eight legs saying that he could help [[people]] and do many things at once, and is said to have the [[personality]] of one; like a spider, he can be [[calm]], but angered, he turns [[ferocious]] and attacks. This is a trait that all known Kunal's carry. Kunal is also the [[name]] of a [[Himalayan]] bird, the 'Painted Snipes' . The meaning of Kunal in [[Sanskrit]] is "[[Lotus]]". Kunal also means "bird with [[beautiful]] [[eyes]]", "someone who sees [[beauty]] in everything" or "one with [[beautiful]] eyes". | + | The [[name]] [[Kunal]] in {{Wiki|Hindi}}, {{Wiki|Arabic}}, and {{Wiki|Spanish}} means "[[Eagle]]" or "[[Protector of the Skies]]", thus it meaning '[[Kunal]]' symbolises the {{Wiki|Eagle}}. The {{Wiki|eagle}} his [[name]] symbolises is the Black Eagle and also symbolises the spider, and is said as this because he was one who gave {{Wiki|hope}} and was someone that [[people]] could go to for help, representing the eight legs saying that he could help [[people]] and do many things at once, and is said to have the [[personality]] of one; like a spider, he can be [[calm]], but angered, he turns [[ferocious]] and attacks. This is a trait that all known [[Kunal's]] carry. [[Kunal]] is also the [[name]] of a [[Himalayan]] bird, the 'Painted Snipes' . The meaning of [[Kunal]] in [[Sanskrit]] is "[[Lotus]]". [[Kunal]] also means "bird with [[beautiful]] [[eyes]]", "someone who sees [[beauty]] in everything" or "one with [[beautiful]] eyes". |
Early life | Early life | ||
| − | Due to the premature [[death]] of his [[birth]] mother, Rani Padmavati within a few months of his [[birth]], he was raised by [[Ashoka's]] first wife and {{Wiki|Empress}} [[consort]] Asandhimitra (also known as [[Devi]]) who loved him like her own son. Due to this, Asandhimitra is often mistaken to be his [[birth]] mother. [[Ashoka]] sent his son to [[Ujjain]], there to be brought up and carry out his princely [[education]], to become the heir to the throne of the Mauryan [[Empire]]. Which he should not have succeeded because he was the youngest and had no [[right]] to rule just like his father. (Ashoka) | + | Due to the premature [[death]] of his [[birth]] mother, [[Rani Padmavati]] within a few months of his [[birth]], he was raised by [[Ashoka's]] first wife and {{Wiki|Empress}} [[consort]] [[Asandhimitra]] (also known as [[Devi]]) who loved him like her own son. Due to this, [[Asandhimitra]] is often mistaken to be his [[birth]] mother. [[Ashoka]] sent his son to [[Ujjain]], there to be brought up and carry out his princely [[education]], to become the heir to the throne of the {{Wiki|Mauryan}} [[Empire]]. Which he should not have succeeded because he was the youngest and had no [[right]] to rule just like his father. (Ashoka) |
Blinding | Blinding | ||
| + | [[Category:6555604.jpg]] | ||
| + | When the {{Wiki|prince}} was eight years old, the [[king]] wrote (in {{Wiki|Prakrit}}) to the tutors that [[Kunala]] should begin his studies. One of [[Ashoka's]] wives who wanted to secure the succession to her own son, [[being]] then present took up the [[letter]] to read it. She secretly put a dot over the [[letter]] 'a', changed [[Adheeyu]] into [[Andheeyu]]—another [[word]], meaning he must be blinded. Without rereading the [[letter]], the [[king]] sealed and dispatched it. The clerk in [[Ujjayini]] was so shocked by the contents of this [[letter]] that he was unable to read it aloud to the {{Wiki|prince}}. [[Kunala]], therefore, seized the [[letter]] and read the {{Wiki|cruel}} sentence of his father. Considering that as yet no {{Wiki|Maurya}} {{Wiki|prince}} had disobeyed the chief of the house, and unwilling to set a bad example, he stoutly put out his eyesight with a [[hot]] iron". | ||
| − | + | Alternatively, some stories explain that [[Kunala]] had been sent to {{Wiki|Taxila}} to put down a rebellion, which he managed to do peacefully. But he was similarly blinded through the treacherousness of [[Ashoka's]] wife [[Tishyaraksha]]. | |
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Attempts to claim throne | Attempts to claim throne | ||
| − | Years later Kunala came to [[Ashoka's]] court dressed as a minstrel accompanied by his favourite wife Kanchanmala. When he greatly [[pleased]] the [[king]] by his {{Wiki|music}}, the [[king]] wanted to reward him. At this, the minstrel revealed himself as {{Wiki|prince}} Kunala and demanded his inheritance. [[Ashoka]] sadly objected that [[being]] blind, Kunala never could ascend the throne. Thereupon the latter said that he claimed the {{Wiki|kingdom}} not for himself but for his son. "When," cried the [[king]], "has a son been born to you?" "Samprati" (meaning "Just now") was the answer. Samprati accordingly was the [[name]] given to Kunala's son, and though a baby in arms, he was anointed [[Ashoka's]] successor. However, when [[Ashoka]] [[died]], Sampriti was as yet too young to rule. Therefore, [[Ashoka]] was succeeded by another, older grandson, Dasaratha. After the demise of Dasaratha, Samprati did indeed become Emperor. | + | Years later [[Kunala]] came to [[Ashoka's]] court dressed as a minstrel accompanied by his favourite wife [[Kanchanmala]]. When he greatly [[pleased]] the [[king]] by his {{Wiki|music}}, the [[king]] wanted to reward him. At this, the minstrel revealed himself as {{Wiki|prince}} [[Kunala]] and demanded his inheritance. [[Ashoka]] sadly objected that [[being]] blind, [[Kunala]] never could ascend the throne. Thereupon the latter said that he claimed the {{Wiki|kingdom}} not for himself but for his son. "When," cried the [[king]], "has a son been born to you?" "[[Samprati]]" (meaning "Just now") was the answer. [[Samprati]] accordingly was the [[name]] given to [[Kunala's]] son, and though a baby in arms, he was anointed [[Ashoka's]] successor. However, when [[Ashoka]] [[died]], [[Sampriti]] was as yet too young to rule. Therefore, [[Ashoka]] was succeeded by another, older grandson, [[Dasaratha]]. After the demise of [[Dasaratha]], [[Samprati]] did indeed become Emperor. |
| − | It is said that {{Wiki|Prince}} Kunala established a {{Wiki|kingdom}} in the [[Mithila]] region on the Indo-Nepal Border. It might be the same place where the present village, Kunauli (earlier known as Kunal Gram) at the bank of Kosi [[river]] at Indo-Nepal Border is situated. There are some historical and {{Wiki|archaeological}} evidences to support this claim. | + | It is said that {{Wiki|Prince}} [[Kunala]] established a {{Wiki|kingdom}} in the [[Mithila]] region on the Indo-Nepal Border. It might be the same place where the present village, Kunauli (earlier known as Kunal Gram) at the bank of Kosi [[river]] at Indo-Nepal Border is situated. There are some historical and {{Wiki|archaeological}} evidences to support this claim. |
Portrayal in popular media | Portrayal in popular media | ||
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Kunal Pathri Temple | Kunal Pathri Temple | ||
| − | Another reference of Kunal comes from place called Kunal Pathri [[Temple]] (located in the Dhauladhar Ranges in Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh) which is rock [[pilgrimage]] near dharamsala. Its said that there used to [[live]] a great devotee of [[lord]] [[Vishnu]] named Kunal. This [[temple]] is dedicated to [[goddess]] Kapaleshwari. It has [[beautiful]] carvings of [[gods]] and [[goddesses]]. It is believed that the skull of [[Devi]] [[Sati]] (Dakshayani), the wife of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]], fell here after [[being]] cut off by the [[Chakra]] of [[Lord]] [[Vishnu]] into fifty-one pieces, to stop the [[ferocious]] dance, Tandava Nritya, of [[Shiva]] carrying the corpse of Sati(Dakshayani). | + | Another reference of [[Kunal]] comes from place called Kunal Pathri [[Temple]] (located in the Dhauladhar Ranges in Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh) which is rock [[pilgrimage]] near {{Wiki|dharamsala}}. Its said that there used to [[live]] a great devotee of [[lord]] [[Vishnu]] named [[Kunal]]. This [[temple]] is dedicated to [[goddess]] Kapaleshwari. It has [[beautiful]] carvings of [[gods]] and [[goddesses]]. It is believed that the skull of [[Devi]] [[Sati]] (Dakshayani), the wife of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]], fell here after [[being]] cut off by the [[Chakra]] of [[Lord]] [[Vishnu]] into fifty-one pieces, to stop the [[ferocious]] dance, Tandava Nritya, of [[Shiva]] carrying the corpse of Sati(Dakshayani). |
Alternate | Alternate | ||
| − | It is said by some [[scholars]] that the [[letter]] was sent to Kunal, not believing it, Kunal went to his father. This made [[King]] [[Ashoka]] [[angry]], finding out that his wife had changed the [[letter]], he sentenced her to [[death]]. Kunal then became heir to the throne of Mauryan [[Empire]]. It is uncertain whether this is true. | + | It is said by some [[scholars]] that the [[letter]] was sent to [[Kunal]], not believing it, [[Kunal]] went to his father. This made [[King]] [[Ashoka]] [[angry]], finding out that his wife had changed the [[letter]], he sentenced her to [[death]]. [[Kunal]] then became heir to the throne of {{Wiki|Mauryan}} [[Empire]]. It is uncertain whether this is true. |
| + | {{W}} | ||
| + | [[Category:Ashoka]] | ||
Revision as of 12:44, 8 September 2013
Kunala or Kunāl (Devanāgarī: कुणाल, 3rd Century B.C) was the son of Emperor Ashoka and Queen Padmavati, and presumptive heir to Ashoka, thus the heir to the Mauryan Empire which once ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent. After the departure of Mahendra who was the heir apparent, he was supposed to be the future heir to the empire, he was blinded by another of Ashoka's wives, Tishyaraksha, at a young age in jealousy. While he was not able to take the throne, his son, Samprati, became his heir.
Significance of name
The name Kunal in Hindi, Arabic, and Spanish means "Eagle" or "Protector of the Skies", thus it meaning 'Kunal' symbolises the Eagle. The eagle his name symbolises is the Black Eagle and also symbolises the spider, and is said as this because he was one who gave hope and was someone that people could go to for help, representing the eight legs saying that he could help people and do many things at once, and is said to have the personality of one; like a spider, he can be calm, but angered, he turns ferocious and attacks. This is a trait that all known Kunal's carry. Kunal is also the name of a Himalayan bird, the 'Painted Snipes' . The meaning of Kunal in Sanskrit is "Lotus". Kunal also means "bird with beautiful eyes", "someone who sees beauty in everything" or "one with beautiful eyes". Early life
Due to the premature death of his birth mother, Rani Padmavati within a few months of his birth, he was raised by Ashoka's first wife and Empress consort Asandhimitra (also known as Devi) who loved him like her own son. Due to this, Asandhimitra is often mistaken to be his birth mother. Ashoka sent his son to Ujjain, there to be brought up and carry out his princely education, to become the heir to the throne of the Mauryan Empire. Which he should not have succeeded because he was the youngest and had no right to rule just like his father. (Ashoka) Blinding When the prince was eight years old, the king wrote (in Prakrit) to the tutors that Kunala should begin his studies. One of Ashoka's wives who wanted to secure the succession to her own son, being then present took up the letter to read it. She secretly put a dot over the letter 'a', changed Adheeyu into Andheeyu—another word, meaning he must be blinded. Without rereading the letter, the king sealed and dispatched it. The clerk in Ujjayini was so shocked by the contents of this letter that he was unable to read it aloud to the prince. Kunala, therefore, seized the letter and read the cruel sentence of his father. Considering that as yet no Maurya prince had disobeyed the chief of the house, and unwilling to set a bad example, he stoutly put out his eyesight with a hot iron".
Alternatively, some stories explain that Kunala had been sent to Taxila to put down a rebellion, which he managed to do peacefully. But he was similarly blinded through the treacherousness of Ashoka's wife Tishyaraksha. Attempts to claim throne
Years later Kunala came to Ashoka's court dressed as a minstrel accompanied by his favourite wife Kanchanmala. When he greatly pleased the king by his music, the king wanted to reward him. At this, the minstrel revealed himself as prince Kunala and demanded his inheritance. Ashoka sadly objected that being blind, Kunala never could ascend the throne. Thereupon the latter said that he claimed the kingdom not for himself but for his son. "When," cried the king, "has a son been born to you?" "Samprati" (meaning "Just now") was the answer. Samprati accordingly was the name given to Kunala's son, and though a baby in arms, he was anointed Ashoka's successor. However, when Ashoka died, Sampriti was as yet too young to rule. Therefore, Ashoka was succeeded by another, older grandson, Dasaratha. After the demise of Dasaratha, Samprati did indeed become Emperor.
It is said that Prince Kunala established a kingdom in the Mithila region on the Indo-Nepal Border. It might be the same place where the present village, Kunauli (earlier known as Kunal Gram) at the bank of Kosi river at Indo-Nepal Border is situated. There are some historical and archaeological evidences to support this claim. Portrayal in popular media
A semi-fictionalized portrayal of Kunal's life was produced as a motion picture under the title Veer Kunal (1925). Ashok Kumar, a Tamil film was produced in 1941 based on the life of Kunal. Kunal Pathri Temple
Another reference of Kunal comes from place called Kunal Pathri Temple (located in the Dhauladhar Ranges in Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh) which is rock pilgrimage near dharamsala. Its said that there used to live a great devotee of lord Vishnu named Kunal. This temple is dedicated to goddess Kapaleshwari. It has beautiful carvings of gods and goddesses. It is believed that the skull of Devi Sati (Dakshayani), the wife of Lord Shiva, fell here after being cut off by the Chakra of Lord Vishnu into fifty-one pieces, to stop the ferocious dance, Tandava Nritya, of Shiva carrying the corpse of Sati(Dakshayani). Alternate
It is said by some scholars that the letter was sent to Kunal, not believing it, Kunal went to his father. This made King Ashoka angry, finding out that his wife had changed the letter, he sentenced her to death. Kunal then became heir to the throne of Mauryan Empire. It is uncertain whether this is true.
