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must be perfectly understood that none of the punishments was
suspended, nor was any given a permanent holiday. Crime without
punishment would bring hell down on earth, he realized. Relaxation
of severity, and benevolent attitude peeped at the guilty at his
benign touch.
Asoka's
zeal for public business is praise-worthy. He encouraged the habit
of bringing to his notice all kinds of cases, at all times and all
places "whether I am
dining
or in the ladies apartments, is my bed room or his my closet, in any
carriage or in my palace gardens... Work I must for the common
weal". Restriction of time for hearing the complaints was
relaxed and in consequence the number of appeals went up. He
declared, "I will ever be active and discharge my duties at all
times, and all places, whether I am dining or in the ladies
apartments, in my bed room or in my closet, in my carriage or in my
palace gardens... work I must for the common weal".
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