| Birth Date: | 3rd century BCE |
| Dynasty: | Maurya |
| Prince of the Maurya Empire | |
| Father: | Bindusara |
| Mother: | Subhadrangi |
| Religion: | Jainism (later Buddhism) |
Vitashoka or Tissa (born 3rd-century BCE) was a prince of the Maurya Empire as the only full-brother of Ashoka, and the only brother left alive by Ashoka. According to Divyavadana, he was a follower of Jainism and used to criticize the Buddhist monks for living a comfortable life. He was made to sit on the throne by the courtiers. When Ashoka found out about that, he persuaded Vitashoka to become a Buddhist.
Vitashoka became a monk and practised austerities rigorously.
In The Series Bharat Ek KhojVitashoka/Tissa was portrayed by Lucky Ali
Vitashoka is referred to as Tissa (or Tisya) in Sri Lankan texts.[1] [2] Theragatha commentary[3] regards Tissa and Vitashoka as different individuals. Other sources call him Vigatāshoka, Sudatta, or Sugatra. The Mahavamsa later names him as Ekavihārika.[4]
Divyavadana narrates a story of someone in Pundravardhana and then again at Pataliputra who drew a picture of the Buddha bowing before Mahavira. As a punishment, Ashoka ordered the Jain monks to be put to death and declared a reward for killing of Jains. Someone captured Vitashoka taking him to be a Jain. He was taken to Ashoka. After identifying that it was his own brother, Ashoka stopped giving orders for executions.[5] However, according to the more authentic works based on Ashoka's life, Vitashoka's fate remains unknown after Ashoka became king. Some scholars suggested that Vitashoka must have become a general or a minister of Ashoka.
. John S. Strong . John S. Strong . The Legend of King Aśoka: A Study and Translation of the Aśokāvadāna . 30 October 2012 . 1989 . Motilal Banarsidass Publ. . 978-81-208-0616-0 . 222–233.