Maharaja Agrasen is known as icon of non-violence , messenger of Peace, Maharaja Agrasen was an embodiment of Sacrifice, Compassion, Non-Violence, Peace, Prosperity and a True Socialist. Emperor Agrasen was born to King Ballabh of Pratapnagar. He was the eldest son. According to the Mahalakshmi Vrath, the age then was the last stages of Dvaapar Yug. According to current calendar the birth of Maharaj Agrasen took place about 5185 years ago. King Ballabh was a Suryavanshi ( lineage from the Sun). Even when he was very young, Prince Agrasen was very well known for his compassion. He never discriminated against anyone and the subjects were very pleased with the way he conducted himself.
Maharaj Agrasen established the republican state of Agroha. Agroha consisted of 18 state units. The head of each state unit was given a Gotra. All the residents of that particular state unit were identified by that Gotra. It was maintained by Maharaj Agrasen that a nupital alliance could not take place in the same Gotra. That is a girl of Goel Gotra could not marry a Goel Gotra boy , but could be married in any of the other 17 Gotra. This rule enunciated by Maharaj Agrasen promoted harmony and brotherhood among all the 18 Gotra represented by state units. This facilitated promotion of unity and nationalism among the state units.
Maharaja Agrasen
The Messenger of Peace, Emperor Maharaja Agrasen was born to King Ballabh of Pratapnagar. According to current calendar the birth of Maharaja Agrasen took place about 5000 years ago. King Ballabh was a Suryavamshi ( lineage from the Sun). He was the eldest son . According to the Mahalakshmi Vrath, the age then was the last stages of Dvaapar Yug. Agroha / Agra Republic was established around 51 years before the war of Mahabarat. According to writers of (1) Bhavishya Puran Ke Agravansh , (2) Vanishanukirtnam and (3) Uru Charitam Maharaja Agrasen ruled some 5000 years back over Agroha around the time of Mahabharat. This belief is testified by the mention of the republican state of Agrayan in a couplet shloka of the great epic Mahabharata . Even when he was very young , Prince Agrasen was very well known for his compassion . He never discriminated against anyone and the subjects were very pleased with the way he conducted himself.
Maharaj Agrasen, performed many Yagnas (sacrifice) for the prosperity of his people. In those days, performing a yagna was a symbol of prosperity. During one such yagna, Maharaj Agrasen noticed that a horse that had been brought to be sacrificed was trying hard to get away from the sacrificial altar. Seeing this Maharaj Agrasen was filled with pity and then thought as to what prosperity can be achieved by sacrificing mute animals. The idea of Ahimsa grabbed Maharaj Agrasen's mind. The King then discussed it with his ministers. The ministers then said if Maharaj Agrasen turned towards ahimsa, the neighbouring kingdoms might consider it a sign of weakness and feel brave enough to attack Agroha. At this, Maharaj Agrasen mentioned that putting an end to violence and injustice does not mean weakness. He then proclaimed that there should be no violence and killing of animals in his kingdom.