Tishyaraksha
Tishyarakshita was the last queen consort of Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Empire in the 3rd century BCE. She is primarily known from Buddhist chronicles for her treacherous role in the Mauryan court, including her alleged involvement in the blinding of Kunala, Ashoka's heir, and the destruction of the original Bodhi Tree.
Early life
Little is known about Tisyarakshita’s origins. She ascended as queen consort after the death of Ashoka's chief queen, Asandhimitra, around 240-9 BCE.Role as queen
Tisyarakshita reportedly gained political influence in the later years of Ashoka’s reign.Blinding of Kunala
One of the most prominent accounts about Tisyarakshita is her alleged involvement in the blinding of Kunala, Ashoka’s son.The Aśokāvadāna states that she attempted to seduce Kunala, but when he rejected, she issued an order that led to his blinding. The Divyāvadāna presents a similar version but highlights Kunala’s later forgiveness of Tisyarakshita. The Mahāvaṃsa suggests that the blinding was due to court intrigue, without explicitly blaming Tisyarakshita. Historians debate whether Kunala was actually blinded or whether the story is a later Buddhist embellishment.