27-02-2013, 11:26 AM
Asoka
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Gist of the story
Asoka was the most remarkable of the Maurya Kings. Soon after Alexander departed in 324 B.C, Chandragupta took over and declared himself king of Magadha. He was succeeded his son, Bindusara, who reigned for 25 years. Bindusara was succeeded by his son Asoka.
There were many theories about Asoka’s succession – One of them was about Asoka murdering his 99 bothers and sisters in order to ascend the throne. and another one about a war of succession between Asoka and his brother ,Susima. But none of them had proof. But they were able to conjecture most about him from the famous rock edits.
The probable date for Asoka’s accession is 273 B.C and his ceremonial coronation is 4 years later.
From accounts of Megasthenes , Asoka inherited a centralized form of government at Pataliputra and an empire viceroyalties of Taxila (north) and Ujjain (Central India). He acted as Viceroy in Taxila for some time. There was little interference with local administration in the outlying portions of the empire and the royal army was large and well-organized and always available to settle disturbances.
Steps that Asoka took to implement law of piety and Dharma:
1 .Made provisions for the amount of animal flesh that was allowed in the kitchens
“ Formerly in the kitchen of his majesty King Priyadarsin, each day many thousands of living creatures were slain to make curries. At the present moment when his pious edict is being written only these three living creatures, namely, two peacocks and one deer , are killed daily and the deer not invariably. Even these creatures shall not be slaughtered in future”
Meaning : This rock edict deals with the sacredness of life. This was one of the provisions Asoka made to prevent slaughter in the royal kitchens , which was to only kill two peacocks & one deer each day.
2. Created censors of Piety to see that dharma was observed everywhere.
“Now in all the long ages past, officers known as the Censors of the Law of Piety had never been appointed, whereas in the 14th year of my reign Censors of the Law of Piety were appointed by me. They are engaged among people of all sects in promoting the establishment of Piety, the progress of Piety and the welfare and happiness of the lieges…as well as other nations on my borders…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”
Meaning : Censors of Piety were appointed by Asoka to promote the establishment & progress of piety & to ensure welfare and happiness among his loyal subjects & other nations. They had to work to prevent wrong imprisonment or punishment & other troubles & they take the situation of the person into consideration before allotting the punishment.
3. Ordered governors of local districts to hold assemblies every 3-5 years in which Dharma would be discussed and explained.
4. He set up a special royal almoners department at Pataliputra to organize the distribution and set an example by his charitable gifts.
5. He sent missionaries far and wide to spread Buddhist principles – to the independent Cholas and Pandyas in the south of India to Ceylon. Nepal and Kashmir also adopted Buddhism. His emissaries preached Dharma even as far as Syria , Egypt and probably Macedonia and Epirus.
6. He was determined to govern by kindness rather than force. Even while dealing with tribal communities he condemned the use of all but strictly necessary force by his subordinates.
“ Do your duty and inspire these folk with trust , so that they may be convinced that the king is unto them even as a father, and that, as he cares for himself , so he cares for them, who are as the king’s children”
Meaning : Asoka approached with the border tribes with kindness and not with force. He aimed to reason and influence them than resort to repressive measures.
7. He realized the importance of high standard of behavior among his provincial officers and expected them to act upon the principles laid down by him.
“There are, however, certain dispositions which render success impossible, namely ,envy, lack of perseverance, harshness, impatience , want of application , idleness , indolescsence. You therefore should desire to be free from such dispositions , in as much as the root of all this teaching consists in perseverance and patience in moral guidance.”
Meaning : Asoka talks of how high standard behavior is important among the people and states qualities a person should not have.