Jalauka

The story of Jalauka, notwithstanding the topographical details, is essentially legendary, and no independent corroboration of the Kashmir tradition has been discovered.[3]

Rajatarangini mentions that Jalauka's father and predecessor as Ashoka.

अथाऽशोककुलोत्पन्नोयद्वाऽन्याभिजनोद्भवः । भूमि दामोदरो नाम जुगोप जगतीपतिः ।।१५३॥

— Kalhana, Rajatarangini 1.143

Translation : Jalauka who born in the lineage of Ashok, become the father of a son named Damodara . .

According to the dates given in that text, this Ashoka would have ruled in the 2nd millennium BCE, and was a member of a Mauryan Dynasty . Kalhana also states that this king appeased Bhutesha (Shiva) to obtain his son Jalauka. Multiple scholars identify Kalhana's Ashoka with the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, who had adopted Buddhism.[4][5][6] Romila Thapar equates Jalauka to the Mauryan prince Kunala, arguing that "Jalauka" is an erroneous spelling caused by a typographical error in Brahmi script.[7]

• Ashoka

In Rajatrangani Ashoka was a truthful and spotless king, and a follower of Buddha.[8] He also maintained his Jaina belief . He worshiped Lord Shiva for a son so after his worship Jalauka was born from his Queen.[9] Ashoka also built many Stupas and a Shiva temple in Kashmir[10] [11]-

सभायां विजयेशस्य समीपे च विनिर्ममे । शान्तावसादः प्रासादा अशोकेश्वर संज्ञिती ॥१०६॥

— Kalhana, Rajatarangini 1.103

Translation :Near the assembly hall of Vijayeshvara, the king Ashok built two Temples, which were called Ashokeshwara, free from any unrest..

शुष्क लेत्रवितस्तात्रौ तस्वार स्तूपमण्डलैः ॥१०२।।

— Kalhana, Rajatarangini 1.102

Translation : The king Ashoka adorned the dry and vacant land with stupas and mandalas.

• Jalauka

The Kalhana's Rajatarangini mentioned that Jalauka was very orthodox follower of Shaivism[12][13].He was intolerant toward Buddhism[14] :-

तत्कालप्रबलप्रेद्धबौद्धवादिसमूह जित् अवधूतोऽभवत्सिद्धस्तस्य ज्ञानोपदेशकृत् ॥११२॥

— Kalhana, Rajatarangini 1.112

Translation :The teacher of victorious king Jalauka, defeated the powerful and arrogant group of Buddhists, became an accomplished sage, a teacher of knowledge.

The Kalhana's Rajatarangini provide information about the clan of Jalauka -

महाशाक्यः स नृपतिर्न शक्यो बाधितुं त्वया। तस्मिन्दृष्टे तु कल्याणि भविता ते तमःक्षयः ॥१४१॥

— Kalhana, Rajatarangini 1.141

Translation : The great king Jalauka was not possible to be defeated by you, O Bhadra, the excited monks had thought to send me to your destruction. The Bodhisattvas summoned me. Thus, O Kashyani, this king is the great Shakya.

Further Kalhana mentioned that Ashoka ancestory belong to the lineage of Ikshuvaku Dynasty Gandhara king Sakuni.[15]