According to biographical accounts contained in [[Sanskrit]] contained in the [[Indian people|Indian]] [[Sanskrit]] works called "[[Ashokavadana]]" and "Kunalavadana", Emperor [[Ashoka]] was blessed with a heroic son. Kunala was the son of [[Ashoka]] and [[Padmavati (wife of Ashoka)|Padmavati]]. Kunala's beauteous eyes (even as a newborn infant) attracted his father's attention. On enquiring his ministers whether anyone had seen such beautiful eyes before, one of them replied that such mesmerizing eyes were only possessed by a bird in the [[Himalayas]] called "Kunala", and so as per traditions, the infant was named "Kunala." Alternative interpretations of the name include "One who sees beauty in everything" and "One who has beautiful eyes."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bharat's Military Conquests In Foreign Lands |url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156712666-bharat-s-military-conquests-in-foreign-lands |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Goodreads |language=en|page=25}}</ref>
At the age of eight, Ashok sent his son to [[Ujjain]], to be brought up and carry out his princely education, to become the heir to the throne of the [[Mauryan Empire]].{{citation needed|date=November 2015}}
== Takshashila revolt ==
Emperor [[Ashoka]] looked for a capable general who could put down the revolt at [[Takshashila]] with an iron hand. In the past, [[Ashoka]] as a young prince was once posted to put down a rebellion there. [[Ashoka|Ashoka's]] ambitious son (Kunala) decided to to take on the task in order to showcase his ability as a prince who can govern and protect the Empire's subjects. Also this was to give a message to his rival claimants of the [[Mauryan Empire]]. [[Ashoka]] too realized his son's ambitions and encouraged him to fulfil it. As the [[Ashokavadana]] puts it:
{{quote|"Then understanding of the one he called his son, and realizing how he was bound by affection, the king ordered him (Kunala) to go on the expedition while he himself stayed at home..."}}
All the sources on the life of Kunala – [[Indian people|Indian]], [[Tibetan]], [[Chinese]] and [[Tocharian]] unanimously declares that Kunala was extremely successful in putting down the rebellion/revolt at [[Takshashila]]. He also accepted viceroyalty of the North Western regions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bharat's Military Conquests In Foreign Lands |url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156712666-bharat-s-military-conquests-in-foreign-lands |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Goodreads |language=en|page=27}}</ref>
