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MAINS : Sample Notes For History
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MAJOR ROCK EDICTS
Major Rock Edict-II: Provision for the treatment of human beings as well as animals in all parts of the empire as well as the bordering kingdoms like Cholas, Pandyas, Sattiyaputtas, Keralaputtas, Tanuraparni (Ceylon), the kingdom of King Antioka and his neighbour mentioned. Major Rock Edict-III (257 B.C.): After he had been consecrated 12 years, Ashoka asked the Rajukas, Yuktas and Pradeshikas to tour the land every 5 years apart from following their routine duties. They were to look it to that the people followed the path of dharma (dhamma). The same Edict also talks about “expending a little and saving a little.” Major Rock Edict-IV: Lays down various principles to be followed in the path of dhamma and asks children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to further these. Major Rock Edict-V: The appointment of Dhammamahamatras. Their main duty was to protect the dhamma and development of dhamma. They were to look after the religious welfare and well-being of people. Major Rock Edict-VI: Appointment of Prativedakas. They acquainted the Emperor with the problems of people. Ashoka says in this Edict that “there is no greater deed than the welfare of others”. Major Rock Edict-VII: The importance of self-control and self-purification. Major Rock Edict-VIII: Pilgrimage of Bodh Gaya (Sambodhi) by Ashoka 10 years after he had been consecrated. Also the meeting and giving away of gold to brahmanas and shramanas. Major Rock Edict-IX: The greatness of dhammadana over the charities performed during household ceremonies etc. Major Rock Edict-X: Ashoka would rather his people listen to dhamma and dharmopadeshakas than seek material pleasure and fame. Major Rock Edict-XI: Dhammadana, friendship and relationship according to dhamma; looking after the well-being of one's parents - all aspects of Dhamma. Major Rock Edict-XII: Expresses the desire of encouraging in people the growth of religious tolerance and in the sphere of religion the growth of essence (Dharmavridhi and Sarvridhi). For the growth of essence is essential - control of speech and somavaya. Samavaya - gathering to hear to one another's dhamma/dharma. Major Rock Edict-XIII: Kalinga War after 8 years of consecration, its impact on Ashoka, his repentance. Several foreign kings, borderline kingdoms, semi-independent tribes are mentioned where Ashoka gained victory by Dhamma. It also contains the warning to some forest tribes. Major Rock Edict-XIV: It attempts to emphasize the relevance of the sentiments, repeated elsewhere again and again. Separate Kalinga Edict I: It is addressed to the Mahamatras of Toshali (or Samapa), who are also the judicial officers of the city. Here the emperor tells them that just as every individual prays for the well-being of his children in this and the other world, the emperor too wishes the same for his subjects whom he considers his children. The Mahamatras are asked to make efforts in achieving this. It also mentions that Mahamatras were being sent from Ujjain and Taxila to hear to imbibe the habits of right behaviour and following of Dhamma in the administrators of Kalinga's cities. They are asked to follow the 'middle path'. Separate Kalinga Edict II: It explicitly says that the emperor considers as his children all his subjects and an attempt to win over the confidence of the inhabitants at Kalinga is evident here. MINOR ROCK EDICTS
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