born AD 80?, Ayodhya, India
died 150?, Peshawar
Indian philosopher and poet considered the father of Sanskrit drama.
Born a Brahman , he opposed Buddhism until a debate with a Buddhist scholar led to his conversion. Asvaghosa became known as a brilliant orator, and he spoke on Mahayana at the fourth Buddhist council . He is considered India's greatest poet before Kalidasa . Works attributed to him include the Buddhacarita ("Life of the Buddha") and the Mahalankara ("Book of Glory").