Asvaghosa and His Times

Dr Sarla Khosla has for the first time worked on the Historical Contribution of Asvaghosa.

Before the publication of ‘Asvaghosa and his times’ the historians have depended on Arthasastra and then on Kalidasa’s works. This work would not make the historians skip from Mauryan to Gupta period for Original Sanskrit sources, but would find the gap filled up in this volume. It not only tells about the social, political and religious history of the time, but records the links with Arthasastra. In order to vindicate her points Dr. Khosla has brought forth the points of agreement and disagreement with Mahavastu, Lalitavistava and Jataka stories. This has increased the value of the volume.

Dr. Sarla Khosla is an imminent scholar of Buddhism. Her works "History of Buddhism in Kashmir,"’ "Gupta Civilization" and a number of research articles including ‘‘Buddhism. in Ladakh" and ‘World's debt to Buddhism’ have won her acclaim in the Buddhist world. In this volume ‘Asvaghosa and his times’ which is perhaps her best published work, she has traced history from traditional ancient records to Asvaghosa’s time. The intricate Buddhist Philosophy of soul and how from the time of Buddha to the time of Asvaghosa it underwent a change is clearly dealt with. Mara legend has received her special attention.