Vṛṣala, the Greek Kingly Title of Candragupta Maurya
By H. C. Seth
Summary
The account of Candragupta Maurya's origin in the *Mudrarakshasa* and Puranas presents conflicting narratives. While some traditions suggest he was born to a Nanda king and a low-caste woman named Mura (or Muradha), others, including the Puranas (*Vayu*, *Vishnu*, *Matsya*, *Brahmanda*, and *Bhagavata*), emphasize his non-Nanda lineage, portraying him as a Brahmin-born son of a Shudra woman through Kautalya's intervention. The Puranas explicitly state that Candragupta, with Kautalya's aid, overthrew the Nandas and founded a new dynasty, with no familial ties to them. The *Mudrarakshasa* drama further supports this by highlighting Candragupta's indifference to the Nandas' fate and his lack of recognition by Nanda loyalists like Raksasa, who treats him as an outsider. Additionally, the absence of any Buddhist or Jain records linking Candragupta to the Nandas undermines the low-birth narrative. Scholars like Vineent Smith and K. Chattopadhyaya argue that the Nanda-Mura story is likely fictional, designed to legitimize Candragupta's rule, while the Puranas' designation of his dynasty as "Maurya" (derived from Mura) reflects political strategy rather than historical fact. The lack of contemporary evidence suggests the Nanda connection is apocryphal, with the Maurya dynasty's origins rooted in Brahminical legitimacy rather than Nanda lineage.
Conclusion
This analysis of the *Vṛṣala* title and its implications challenges traditional narratives about Candragupta Maurya's lineage, emphasizing the absence of credible evidence linking him to the Nandas in early Hindu sources. The study highlights the significance of the *Mudraraksasa* drama, which not only negates Candragupta's Nanda connections but also underscores his political detachment from their downfall. The absence of ritual observances for the last Nanda king and the focus on Parvataka's alliance further support the conclusion that Candragupta belonged to a distinct dynasty. The paper also explores the possibility of Gupta-era connections through figures like Mahiraja Balagupta, suggesting a deliberate historical shift in dynastic legitimacy. By reconciling Puranic accounts with dramatic evidence, the research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of Mauryan origins and the symbolic use of titles like *Vṛṣala* in legitimizing imperial authority.