Ajatasatru

/ˌɑː.dʒɑː.tɑːˈsɑː.tru/ noun

Definition

In Buddhist and Hindu tradition, a king whose name means 'not born of an enemy', a repentant monarch who became devoted to Buddhist teachings after committing patricide.

Etymology

From Sanskrit 'a-jāta-śatru', literally 'not-born-enemy', a compound of 'a-' (not), 'jāta' (born), and 'śatru' (enemy), reflecting the name's legendary origin.

Kelly Says

Ajatasatru's story in Buddhist texts is a moral masterpiece—he's guilty of the worst crime (killing his father), experiences profound remorse, and finds redemption through Buddhism, making him a powerful symbol of repentance across Asian religions.

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