Asoka: A Definitive Biography by Deshamanya, Kalakirti Dr. Ananda W. P. Guruge is a landmark study of Emperor Dharmasoka — the great Mauryan ruler who transformed from conqueror to champion of peace through the teachings of the Buddha. Published by the Central Cultural Fund in 1993 to commemorate the 2300th anniversary of Buddhism in Sri Lanka (Dharma Jayanti), this authoritative work reconstructs the life and legacy of Asoka with scholarly precision and narrative depth.
 
Drawing on inscriptions, Pali and Sanskrit chronicles, and Chinese and Tibetan sources, Dr. Guruge offers the most comprehensive and balanced portrait of the Emperor ever written. His research dispels long-held myths, harmonizing Asoka’s edicts with the historical record to reveal a ruler guided by compassion, tolerance, and moral conviction. More than a biography, the book is a meditation on leadership, ethics, and the enduring relevance of Dharmavijaya — the conquest through righteousness — for the modern world.