Aśvaghoṣa

Aśvaghoṣa, born in the year eighty CE in Saketa, now known as Ayodhya, was a remarkable figure in the realm of Indian literature and philosophy. Renowned as a poet, writer, and dramatist, he is celebrated as the first Sanskrit dramatist and is often regarded as the greatest Indian poet before the illustrious Kālidāsa.

His contributions to Buddhist literature were groundbreaking, as he composed works in Classical Sanskrit at a time when most Buddhist texts were written in Pāli and Prakrit. Aśvaghoṣa's literary prowess positioned him among the most prominent Buddhist court writers, whose epic narratives rivaled the contemporary Ramayana.

It is believed that he served as a contemporary and spiritual adviser to Kanishka during the first century CE, further solidifying his influence in the cultural and spiritual landscape of his time. His association with the Sarvāstivāda or the Mahasanghika schools of Buddhism highlights his deep engagement with the philosophical currents of his era.