भारतीय इतिहास के ६ स्वर्णिम पृष्ठ (वीर सावरकर - विदेशी आक्रान्ताओं पर विजय गाथा)

to the throne of Magadha to the time when Ashoka courted Buddhism and
even his death, i.e. for about a hundred years, no enemy from the outside
world could give any kind of offence to this all India Maurya Empire, either
by land or sea, or by crossing any frontier whatsoever!
Ashoka the Holy!
149. Samrat Bindusar died in 273 B.C. this son, Ashoka ascended the
throne after him by putting aside his elder brother. Emperor Ashoka truly
deserved to be included in the list of virtuous and holy kings not only of
India but of the world. However, according to the criterion laid down in
paragraphs 7 to 9 of this book, the Ashokan epoch does not fit in properly in
the scope of the glorious epochs. Hence, we cannot do anything more than
bypass him with only a slight reference.
150. But after his conversion to Buddhism, Ashoka carried out an
excessive propaganda in favour of certain Buddhist principles like Ahimsa
and the rest, which have caused so much harm to the Indian political
outlook, her political independence, and her empire, that it has become
absolutely necessary to discuss at some length here as well as in other
chapters, not only the principles of Ashoka but also those of Buddhism and
their practices.
Hail to Lord Buddha!
151. Before discussing here some of the anti-national Buddhist preachings
and practices and their effects, I consider it my duty to state in the
beginning—so that there may not be any misunderstanding or perversion of
my views—that on the whole, I have a very high regard for Lord Buddha
and his religion. In Indian history, there are several lofty Himalayan peaks
of world famous personalities and the name of one of those sublime heights
is Bhagwan Buddha! As regards this reverence for him, I, too, would gladly
join his disciples in bowing down my head before his idol, saying. “Hail to
thee, O Lord Buddha!” The Hindu nation too, which gave birth to such a
divine, considers him the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Causes of Decline of Buddhism in India
152. The Buddhist cult for that matter was being preached in the vicinity
of Magadha, at least three hundred years before Ashoka. It was mostly
propagated, till then, by persuasion and conviction on matters of principles.
Naturally, its progress was slow. It has already been pointed out in
paragraph no. 16 that till the time of Alexander and Seleucos, Buddhist
religion was hardly known in Punjab, Sindh, Gandhar and other provinces.