Aśoka (Asoka) was a minister of Ayodhyā (Ayodhya). After Rāmacandra (Ramachandra) went off to vanavāsa (vanavasa, exile into the forest), Bharata was nominated the king. At that time, Aśoka, along with four other ministers, went to Kekayadeśa (Kekayadesa; the land of Kekaya)to bring back Bharata and Śatrughna (Satrughna), as instructed by the priest Vaśiṣṭha (Vasishtha). He handed over expensive jewels to Bharata, as gifts for his maternal uncle and grandfather, and requested him to return to Ayodhyā immediately. Again, when Rāmacandra returned from exile, Aśoka, along with other seven ministers, he went to welcome him. He also instructed the citizens to make preparations for the coronation of Rāma. He also consulted other two ministers — Vijaya and Siddhārtha (Siddhartha) regarding Rāma’s corronation.