Ashoka's Dhamma : Subjects Mentionedin Pillar Edicts

The Maurya ruler Ashoka implemented the edict through Pillar Edict and inscriptions, about which we have come to know in the previous chapter – Edicts and Architecture of Mauryan . In this article, under the subject mentioned in Ashoka's Dhamma, we will learn about the subjects mentioned in all the 7 pillars.

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Ashoka’s Dhamma

The word 'Dhamma' is a Prakrit adaptation of Sanskrit 'Dharma'. The code of the Acharyas and rules which Maurya Emperor Ashoka implemented through his records for the removal of evil practices prevalent in his subjects and society and for their moral upliftment, was called Ashoka's Dhamma. Ashoka's Dhamma or rules became the best means to organize and develop the contemporary society. We also get information about the great works done by Ashoka through this Dhamma. Emperor Ashoka implemented his Dhamma through Pillar Edict and inscription. Topics related to Ashoka's rule and Dhamma have been included in NCERT.

Ashoka’s Pillar Edicts

There are seven edicts of Ashoka, where these edicts are located, we learned their details in the previous chapter, Edicts and Architecture of Mauryan. The following edicts are engraved on these pillars, these edicts are also called Dhamma –

First Pillar Edict

Devanampriya Priyadarshi Raja says – I got this scripture written after 26 years of my consecration. Without intense desire for righteousness, severe test, excessive obedience, excessive fear and excessive enthusiasm, it is difficult to attain the happiness of this world and the hereafter. But due to my efforts the devotion and love of the people increased and will continue to increase everyday.

My high, small or medium officers themselves follow Dharma and due to the suitable motivation of fickle minded people, they also make them follow Dharma. The chieftains of the border regions also do the same. There is a command for all of them that, "Nurture people according to religion, rule according to religion, bring happiness to them through religion and rule according to religion."

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Second Pillar Edict

Devanampriya Priyadarshi Raja says - Dharma is the best. But what are religions? Absence of sins, good work, kindness, charity, truth, purity. I have donated eyes (eyes of knowledge) in many ways. Many types of favors were done by me on two-legged, four-legged, birds and aquatic animals, even they were given life. I did many other pious deeds. This religious script was written so that they should follow me and it should be eternal. The one who walks according to this will do auspicious work.

Third Pillar Edict

Devanampriya Priyadarshi Raja says - Man only sees his good deeds / deeds: I have done this good deed. He never sees his sin: I have committed this sin or this is a really bad deed. But this is such a thing, in which self-observation is difficult. Nevertheless, it should be observed: these bad qualities, fierceness, cruelty, anger, pride, jealousy etc. (object disorders) generate and because of them I can downfall. It should also always be kept in mind that this will benefit me in this world as well as in the hereafter.

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Fourth Pillar Edict

Devanampriya Priyadarshi Raja says - I have appointed Rajjuko over lakhs of people. I have made them independent in judicial investigation and punishment, so that they may fulfill their duty with confidence and fearlessness, generate the welfare and happiness of the people of the districts and cure them. He will know the causes of happiness and sorrow and will inspire the people of the districts and the religious people, so that they can get happiness in this world and the hereafter.

The ropes are ready to obey me and since the ropes want to obey me, the workers will also follow my wishes and orders. They will also preach to some, so that Rajjuk will try to please me. Just as parents trust their children by handing them over to a qualified nurse, that qualified nurse tries to give happiness to my children. Similarly, Rajjuk has been appointed for the benefit and happiness of the districts, so that they can perform their duties with a happy heart without fear and hesitation. For this reason I have set them free regarding judicial investigation and punishment.

It is desirable – what? Treatment Equity and Punishment Equity. I have given this order: Those who are imprisoned, those who have been sentenced and those who have been sentenced to death, they are given three days' respite. Or, in order to save their lives, their relatives can reduce some punishment from the ropes, or they can consider the hereafter and fast to avoid spiritual destruction. I wish that even during the period of imprisonment, they may strive for happiness in the hereafter and many types of religious practices, self-restraint and generosity should increase in humans.

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Fifth Pillar Edict

Devanampriya Priyadarshi King says - After 26 years of my consecration, I prohibited the killing of the following creatures - Shuka, Sarika, Arun, Chakravak, Hans, Nandimukh, Gelat, Jatuka, Amvak-Pilika, Kachhapi, boneless fish, Veda-Veyak, Ganga-Putak, Sankujmach, Turtle, Porcupine, Rabbit, Squirrel, Barasingha, Bull, House Insect, Rhinoceros, White-Kapot, Village Kapot, and all such quadrupeds which are not eaten and do not come in any other work.

Pregnant or lactating sheep, goats and pigs and their six-month-old young, chickens should not be castrated. The straw in which insects have fallen should not be burnt. Forests should not be burnt in vain or to kill animals. One creature should not be fed to another creature.

Fish should not be killed or sold nearby on the full moon days of the three seasons and the full moon days of Taish, i.e. on the fourteenth day of the fortnight and the first day of the next fortnight and on the days of fasting. In these days, snakes or other creatures should not be killed in Meenashyas.

Bullocks, rams, pigs and other animals should not be castrated on the eighth, fourteenth and fifteenth day of every fortnight, on the day of Tishya and Punarvasu, on the full moon of the three seasons and on other festivals.

Horses and bullocks should not be burnt on Tishya, Punarvasu and the full moon of the seasons, on the full moon side of each season. After my consecration 26 years ago, I got prisoners freed 25 times.

Sixth Pillar Edict

Devanampriya Priyadarshi Raja says – Twelve years after my consecration, I got these Dhammalipis written for the benefit and increase of happiness of the people, so that leaving that (conduct) the (officer) nurtures it and the growth of religion. (Seeing that) the happiness and interest of the people are in it, I test them, those who are near me and also those who are far away, as I test my relatives. Why ? So that I can bring happiness to some people (among the subjects) and I behave accordingly. In this way I test all classes (of officers). I have respected all sects in many ways, but I consider the main thing to move forward (other sects) myself. This Dhamma script was commissioned in the 26th year of my consecration.

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Seventh Pillar Edict

This is the longest or largest Edict.

Devanampriya says in this column: “A thought came to my mind – the ancient kings wished that there should be proper growth of religion among the subjects, but there was no proper growth of religion among the subjects. So how to make people compatible with religion? , How should there be proper growth of religion in people? How can I uplift religious growth in them? On this Priyadarshi says – “The thought came in my mind that I should order religion and order people to teach religion, listening to which people will follow it. Along with the progress of religion, there will be great progress for them. For this purpose, I got many proclamations issued on religion and taught people about religion in many ways. I have appointed officers on many people. They will preach and preach the religion. Rajjuk has been appointed over lakhs of men. They have also been ordered – preach like this to the pious people."

Devanampriya Priyadarshi Raja says – I have planted banyan trees on the side of the roads. They will provide shade to humans and animals. Amravatikas ( Mangotrees ) have been planted, wells have been dug at eight-eight kos and rest houses have been built. I have made many resting places for the rest of humans and animals. But all this is not a big deal. Many previous kings like me had also done the work of increasing such worldly pleasures. I did all this so that the tendency of people to practice religion like this increases.

Devanampriya Priyadarshi Raja says - “I appointed Dharmamahamatras for various religious works. They are appointed for all sects of monks and householders. They will arrange the works of the Sangh. Similarly, I have arranged that they will arrange for Brahmins, Ajivkas, Nirgranths and various sects. There are many mahamatras for different categories of human beings and for many assigned tasks, but I have appointed dharmamahamatras only for these and all sampradayas.

Devanampriya Priyadarshi Raja says – “These and other chief employees properly manage the donations given by my queens and they have done many types of satisfactory work here and in the districts, in the entire Anthapur. I have made arrangements that they should distribute the donations given by my sons and other goddesses in such a way that religion progresses and people follow religion. And in such people, the progress of religion and the observance of religion will increase, which will increase kindness, charity, truth, purity, humility and goodness.

Devanampriya Priyadarshi Raja says – “Whatever good work I did, people followed it and they will do the same (in future). By these works he has progressed and served his parents and teachers, obeying the elders and good behavior with Brahmins and Shramanas, the oppressed and even with the slaves and the dead.

Devanampriya Priyadarshi Raja says – “This religious progress in humans happened due to two reasons – regulation and prohibition of religion. Regulation is not as important in this matter as prohibition. Religious prohibitions are those that I have implemented, that is, these-these creatures will not be killed and there are many religious rules. But by prohibitions like prohibition of violence to all living beings and non-killing of living beings, dharma has increased more. This article was written so that my sons and grandsons continue to do these works as long as the sun and the moon remain and follow me in this way. By following me in this way, the happiness of this world and the hereafter is certain.

I got this scripture written after 28 years of my consecration. This religious script should be engraved wherever there is a stone pillar or a stone plaque, so that it remains permanent.

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