HVK Archives: The Rock Edicts of Asoka
The Rock Edicts of Asoka - The Observer
Posted By ashok (ashokvc@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in)
Tue, 10 Sep 96 07:59:38 PDT
Enclosed please find the Rock Edicts of Emperor Asoka.
In particular, Rock Edict XII on toleration is extremely
important.
ROCK EDIT I
THE SACREDNESS OF LIFE
`This pious edict has been written by command of His
Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King.
Here (in the capital) no animal may be slaughtered for
sacrifice, nor may holiday-feasts be held, because His
Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King sees manifold evil
in holiday-feasts, although holiday-feasts in certain
places are meritorious in the king.
Formerly, in the Kitchen of His Sacred and Gracious
Majesty the King from day to day many hundred for savoury
meats. But now, when this pious edict is being written,
there are slaughtered (daily) for savoury meats only
three living creatures, to wit, two peacocks and one
antelope-the antelop, however, not invariably. Even these
three living creatures in future shall not be
slaughtered.'
ROCK EDICT II
PROVISION OF COMFORTS FOR MEN AND ANIMALS
`Everywhere in the Dominions of His Sacred and Gracious
Majesty the King-as well as among his neighbours-such as
the Cholas, Pandyas, Satiyaputra, Ketalaputra, Ceylon,
Antiochus the Greek king, and likewise the kings near
unto that Antiochus-everywhere has His Sacred and
Gracious Majesty the King made two kinds of curative
arrangements, to wit, curative arrangements for men and
curative arrangements for beasts. Medicinal herbs also,
medicinal for man and medicinal for beast, wherever they
were lacking have been imported and planted; roots also
and fruits, wherever they were lacking, everywhere have
been imported and planted.
On the roads both wells have been dug and trees planted
for the enjoyment of man and beast.'
ROCK EDICT III
THE QUINQUENNIAL CIRCUIT
`Thus saith His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King :-
When I had been consecrated twelve years I issued this
command :-
Everywhere in my dominions the (subordinate) officials,
and the Commissioners, and the District officers every
five years must proceed on circuit, as well as their
other duties, as for this special purpose, namely, to
proclaim the Law of Piety, to wit, `A meritorious thing
is the hearkening to father and mother; a meritorious
thing is liberality to friends, acquaintances, relatives,
Brahmans, and ascetics; a meritorious thing it is to
abstain from slaughter of living creatures; a meritorious
thing it is to spend little and store little.'
Let the (monastic) communities also appoint officials for
the reckoning with regard to both the objects and the
accounts (or,`in accordance with reason and specific
instruction').'
ROCK EDICT IV
THE PRACTICE OF PIETY
`For a long time past, ever for many hundred years, the
slaughter of living creatures, cruelty to animate beings,
disrespect to relatives, and disrespect to Brahmans and
ascetics have grown.
But now, by reason of the practice of piety by His Sacred
and Gracious Majesty the King, instead of the sound of
the war-drum the sound of the drum of piety is heard,
while heavenly spectacles of processional cars,
elephants, illuminations, and the like, are displayed to
the people.
As for many hundred years past has not happened, at this
present, by reason of the proclamation of the Law of
Piety by His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King, the
cessation of slaughter of living creatures, the
prevention of cruelty animate beings respect to
relatives, respect to Brahmans and ascetics, hearkening
to father and mother, and hearkening to elders are
growing.
Thus, and in many other ways, the practice of piety is
growing, and His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King
will cause that practice of piety to grow still more.
The sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons of His Sacred
and Gracious Majesty the King will promote the growth of
that practice until the end of the cycle, and, abiding in
piety and morality, will proclaim the Law of Piety. For
this is the best of all deeds, the proclamation of the
Law of Piety, and the practice of piety is not for the
immoral man.
In this matter growth is meritorious, and not to decrease
is meritorious.
For this very purpose has this writing been mad, in order
that men in this matter may strive for growth and not
suffer decrease.
This has been written by command of His Sacred and
Gracious Majesty the King after he had been consecrated
twelve years.'
ROCK EDICT V
CENSORS OF THE LAW OF PIETY
`Thus saith His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King :-
A good deed is a difficult thing. Now by me many good
deeds have been done. He who performs a good deed does a
difficult thing. Should my sons, grandsons, and my
descendants after them until the end of the cycle follow
in this path, they will do well; but in this matter,
should a man neglect the commandment, he well do ill,
because sin is an easy thing.
Now in all the long ages past, officers known as Censors
of the Law of Piety never had been appointed, whereas by
me, after I had been consecrated thirteen years, Censors
of the Law of Piety were made.
Among people of all denominations they are engaged in
promoting the establishment of piety, the progress of
piety, and the welfare and happiness of the lieges, as
well as of the Yonas, Kambojas, Gandharas, Rashtrikas,
Pitenikas, and other nations on my borders.
They are engaged in promoting the welfare and happiness
of servants and masters, of Brahmans and the rich, of the
poor, and of the aged, as well as in removing hindrances
from the path of the lieges. They are engaged in the
prevention of wrongful imprisonment or chastisement, in
the work of removing hindrances and of deliverance,
considering cases where a man has a large family, has
been smitten by calamity, or is advanced in years.
Here, at Patalipura, and in all the provincial towns they
are everywhere engaged in supervising the female
establishments of my brothers and sisters and other
relatives.
Everywhere in my loyal empire these Censors of the Law of
Piety are engaged with those among my lieges who are
devoted to piety, established in piety, or addicted to
almsgiving.
For this purpose has this pious edict been written, that
it may endure for long, and that my subjects may act
accordingly.'
ROCK EDICT VI
THE PROMPT DISPATCH OF BUSINESS
`Thus saith His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King :-
During long ages past business has not been disposed of,
now have reports been received at all hours. Now by me
this arrangement has been made that at all hours and in
all places - Whether I am dining, or in the ladies'
apartments, or in my bedroom, or in my closet, or in my
carriage, or in the palace-gardens-the official reporters
should report to me on the people's business. At all
places I am ready to dispose of the people's business.
And if, perchance, I personally by word of mouth command
that a gift be made or order executed, or anything urgent
is entrusted to the officials, and in that business a
dispute arises or fraud occurs among the communities, I
have commanded that immediate report be made to me at any
hour and at any place, for I am never fully satisfied
with my efforts and my dispatch of business.
Work I must for the welfare of all, and the root of the
matter is in effort and the dispatch of business, for
nothing is more efficacious to secure the welfare of all.
And for what do I toil? For no other end than this, that
I may discharge my debt to animate being, and that while
I make some happy here, they may in the next world gain
heaven.
For this purpose have I caused this pious edict to be
written, that it may long endure, and that my sons,
grandsons, and great-grandsons may strive for the welfare
of all. That, however, is a difficult thing, save by the
utmost exertion.
ROCK EDICT VII
IMPERFECT FULFILMENT OF THE LAW
`His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King desires that in
all places men of every denomination may abide, for they
all desire mastery over the sense and purity if mind.
Man, however, is various in his wishes, and various in
his likings.
Some of the denominations will perform the whole, others
will perform but one part of the commandment. Even for a
person to whom lavish liberality is impossible, the
virtues of mastery over the sense, purity of mind,
gratitude, and steadfastness are altogether
indispensable.'
ROCK EDICT VIII
PIOUS TOURS
`In times past Their Sacred Majesties used to go out so-
called "tours of pleasure," during which hunting and
other similar amusements used to be practised.
His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King, however, after
he had been consecrated ten years, went forth on the road
to wisdom. Thus originated the "tours of piety" (dharma),
wherein are practised the visiting of ascetics and
Brahmans, with liberality to them, the visiting of
elders, with largess of gold, the visiting of the country
and the people, with instruction in the Law of Piety and
discussion of the Law of Piety.
Consequently, since that time these are pleasures of His
Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King in exchange for
those of the past.'
ROCK EDICT XI
TRUE CEREMONIAL
`Thus saith His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King :-
People perform various ceremonies on occasions of
sickness, the weddings of sons, the weddings of
daughters, the birth of children, and departure on
journeys. On these and other similar occasions people
perform various ceremonies. But at such times the
womankind perform many, manifold, trivial, and worthless
ceremonies.
Ceremonies certainly have to be performed, although that
sort bears little fruit. This sort, however-the
ceremonial of piety-bears great fruit. In it are included
proper treatment of slaves and servants, honour to
teachers, gentleness towards living creatures, and
liberality towards ascetics and Brahmans. These things,
and others of the same kind, are called the ceremonial of
piety.
Therefore ought a father, son, brother, master, friend,
or comrade, nay, even a neighbour to say, "This is
meritorious, this is the ceremonial to be performed until
the attainment of the desired end." By what sort of
ceremonies are the desired end attained? for the
ceremonial of this world is of doubtful efficacy;
perchance it may not, and its effect is merely of this
world.
The ceremonial of piety, on the contrary, is not
temporal; for even if it fails to attain the desired end
in this world, it certainly begets endless merit in the
other world. If it happens to attain the desired end,
then a gain of two kinds is assured, namely, in this
world the desired end, and in the other world the
begetting of endless merit through the aforesaid
ceremonial of piety.'
ROCK EDICT X
CRUE GLORY
`His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King does not
believe that glory or renown brings much profit unless in
both the present and the future my people obediently
hearken to the Law of Piety and conform to its precepts.
For that purpose only does His Sacred and Gracious
Majesty the King desire glory or renown.
Whatsoever exertions His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the
King makes, all are for the sake of the life hereafter,
so that every one may be freed from peril, and that peril
is vice.
Difficult, verily, it is to attain such freedom, whether
by people of low or of high degree, save by the utmost
exertion, with giving up all other aims. That, however,
for him of high degree is difficult.'
ROCK EDICT XI
TRUE ALMSGIVING
`Thus saith his Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King :-
There is no such almsgiving as is the almsgiving of the
Law of Piety - friendship in piety, the distribution of
piety, kinship in piety. Herein does it consist - in
proper treatment of slaves and servants, hearkening to
father and mother, giving go friends, comrades,
relations, ascetics, and Brahmans, and sparing of living
creature. Therefore a father, son, brother, master,
friend, comrade, nay, even a neighbour, ought to say,
"This is meritorious, this ought to be done."
He who acts thus both gains this world and in the other
world begets infinite virtue, by means of this very
almsgiving of piety.'
ROCK EDICT XII
TOLERATION
`His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King does reverence,
by men of all sects, whether ascetics or householders, by
gifts and various forms of reverence.
His Sacred Majesty, however, cares not so much for girts
or external reverence as that there should be a growth of
the essence of the matter in all sects. The growth of the
essence of the matter assumes various forms, but the root
of it is restraint of speech, to wit, a man must not do
reverence to his own sect or disparage that of another
man without reason. Depreciation should be for specific
reasons only, because the sects of other people all
deserve reverence for one reason or another.
By thus acting, a man exalts his own sect, and at the
same time does service to the sects of other people. By
acting contrariwise, a man hurt his own sect, and does
disservice to the sects of other people. For he who does
reverence to his own sect while disparaging the sects of
others wholly from attachment to his own, with intent to
enhance the splendour of his own sect, in reality by such
conduct inflicts the severest injury on his own sect.
Concord, therefore, is meritorious, to wit, hearkening
and hearkening willingly to the Law of Piety as accepted
by other people. For this is the desire of His Sacred
Majesty that all sects should hear much teaching and hold
sound doctrine.
Wherefore the adherents of all sects, whatever they may
be, must be informed that His Sacred Majesty cares not so
much for gifts or external reverence as that there should
be growth in the essence of the matter and respect for
all sects.
For this very purpose are employed the Censors of the Law
of Piety, the Censors of the Women, the (?) Inspectors,
and other official bodies. And this is the fruit thereof
- the one's own sect, and the enhancement of the
splendour of the Law of Piety.'
ROCK EDICT XIII
TRUE CONQUEST
The Kalingas were conquered by His Sacred and Gracious
Majesty the King when he had been consecrated eight
years. One hundred and fifty thousand persons were thence
carried away captive, one hundred thousand were there
slain, and many times that number perished.
Directly after the annexation of the Kalingas,began His
Sacred Majesty's zealous protection of the Law of Piety,
his love of that Law, and his giving instruction in that
Law (dharma). Thus arose His Sacred Majesty's remorse for
having conquered the Kalingas, because the conquest of a
country previously unconquered involves the slaughter,
death, and carrying away captive of the people. That is a
matter of profound sorrow and regret to His Sacred
Majesty.
There is, however, another reason for His Sacred Majesty
feeling still more regret, inasmuch as in such a country
dwell Brahmans or ascetics, or men of various
denominations, or householders, upon whom is laid this
duty of hearkening to superiors, hearkening to father and
mother, hearkening to teachers, and proper treatment of
friends, acquaintances, comrades, relatives, slaves, and
servants, with fidelity of attachment. To such people in
such a country befalls violence, or slaughter, or
separation from their loved ones. Or misfortune befalls
the friends, acquaintances, comrades, and relatives of
those who are themselves well protected, while their
affection is undiminished. Thus for them also that is a
mode of violence. All these several happenings to men are
matter of regret to His Sacred Majesty; because it is
never the case that people have not faith in some one
denomination or other.
Thus of all the people who were slain, done to death, or
carried away captive in the Kalingas, if the hundredth or
the thousandth were to suffer the same fate, it would now
be matter or regret to His Sacred Majesty. Moreover,
should any one do him wrong that too must be borne with
by His Sacred Majesty, if it can possibly be borne with.
Even upon the forest folk in his dominions His Sacred
Majesty looks and he seeks their conversion, for (if he
did not) repentance would come upon His Sacred Majesty.
They are bidden to turn from evil ways that they be not
chastised. for His Sacred Majesty desires that all
animate beings should have security, self-control, peace
of mind, and joyousness.
And this is the chiefest conquest in the opinion of His
Sacred Majesty - the conquest by the Law of Piety - this
is that is won by His Sacred Majesty both in his own
dominions and in all the neighbouring realms as far as
six hundred leagues - where the Greek (Yona) King named
Antiochus dwells, and north of that Antiochus to where
dwell the four (4) kings severally named Ptolemy,
Antigonus, Magas, and Alexander; and in the south the
(realms of the) Cholas and Pandyas, with Ceylon likewise-
and here too, in the King's dominions, among the Yonas,
and Kambojas, among the Nabhapamtis of Nabhaka, among the
Bhojas and Pitinikas, among the Andrasand Pulindas -
everywhere men follow His Sacred Majesty's instruction in
the Law of Piety. Even where the envoys of His Sacred
Majesty do not penetrate, there too men hearing His
Sacred Majesty's ordinance based on the Law of Piety and
his instruction in that Law, practise and will practise
the Law.
And, again the conquest thereby won everywhere is
everywhere a conquest full of delight. delight is found
in the conquests made by the Law. That delights, however,
is only a small matter. His Sacred Majesty regards as
bearing much fruit only that which concerns the other
world.
And for this purpose has this pious edict been written in
order that my sons and grandsons, who may be, should not
regard it as their duty to conquer a new conquest. If,
perchance, they become engaged in a conquest by arms,
they should take pleasure in patience and gentleness, and
regard as (the only true) conquest the conquest won by
piety. That avails for both this world and the next. Let
all joy be in effort, because that avails for both this
world and the next.'
ROCK EDICT XIV
EPILOGUE
`This set of edicts of the Law of Piety has been written
by command of His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King in
a form sometimes condensed, sometimes of medium length,
and sometimes expanded; because everything is not
suitable in every place, for my dominions are extensive,
and much has been written and much I shall cause to be
written.
Certain phrases have been uttered again and again by
reason if the honeyed sweetness of such and such a topic,
in the hope that the people may act up to them. It may be
that something has been written incompletely by reason of
mutilation of the order, or misunderstanding of the
sense, or a blunder of the engraver.'
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