How do these stories differ from Ashoka's own edicts?

Buddhist texts emphasize miraculous monks and sermons, while Ashoka's edicts (like Major Rock Edict XIII) credit the Kalinga War as the primary turning point.

Sources of Ashoka's Conversion: Mahavamsa and Divyavadana (2019 PYQ)

ID: ART_LIT_2019_128 Ref: Ashoka and the Decline of the Mauryas by Romila Thapar

Consider the following statements:
1. According to Mahavamsa, Ashoka turned to the Buddha's dhamma when his nephew Nigrodha preached the doctrine to him.
2. Divyavadana ascribes Ashoka being drawn to the Buddha's teaching to the influence of Ashokavandana Samudra, a merchant-turned monk
3. Dipavamsa speaks of Samudra, the 12 year old son of a merchant, as the key figure in, Ashoka's coming under the influence of the Buddhist Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

AI Quick Summary (View Answer)

Correct Option: C

According to the Mahavamsa, Ashoka was converted by Nigrodha, while the Divyavadana credits the monk Samudra for the Emperor's acceptance of Buddhism.