| Asoka Priyadarsin |
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| Temples Of India |
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ASOKAS AS A PREACHER |
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| He set up long inscriptions
throughout the kingdom towards this goal. His edicts engraved on the imperishable, imposing
rocks and boulders are scattered all over the country, for easy access and
quick implementation. Asoka took upon himself the task of composing the proclamations in easy and clear
language for better comprehension and immediate practice. His edicts
lay down the principles of Government, in addition to conveying religious instructions.
Further, he caused them engraved in 'Bramhi' and 'Kharosti' lipis for
the benefit of the majority of his people-scholars and semi-literates.
Among the innumerable inscriptions, his fourteen rock edicts, minor rock edicts and seven pillar edicts are deservedly famous. They supply to us the most authentic data about his life and reign, in addition to the various tenets of his religion. He speaks through them, nay, lives by them, for, they enable us to reconstruct his life, ideals and actions astonishingly well. To translate his tenets into action,
he effected many changes in his life. He practised first, what he intended to preach next.
He gave up war, forswore eating meat, abjured drinking and stopped hunting. |
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