| Vitashoka | |
|---|---|
| Prince of Magadha | |
| Born | 3rd century BCE |
| Dynasty | Maurya |
| Father | Bindusara |
| Mother | Subhadrangi |
| Religion | Jainism (later Buddhism) |
Vitashoka or Tissa (born 3rd-century BCE) was a prince of the Maurya Empire as the only full-brother of Ashoka,[1] and the only brother left alive by Ashoka. According to Divyavadana, he was a follower of Jainism and used to criticize the Buddhist monks for living a comfortable life. He was made to sit on the throne by the courtiers. When Ashoka found out about that, he persuaded Vitashoka to become a Buddhist.
Vitashoka became a monk and practised austerities rigorously.
In The Series Bharat Ek Khoj Vitashoka/Tissa was portrayed by Lucky Ali