Jainism Early Faith of Ashoka

Author(s): Edward Thomas
Publisher: Trubner and Company London

Page 85

THE EARLY FAITH OF AŞOKA.
of animals, and their exemption from slaughter on certain days peculiarly sacred in their Rubric.?
The tablet, on the southern compartment, gives a list of the “animals which shall not be put to death," enumerating: many species of birds, the specific object of whose immunity it is difficult to comprehend-and especially exempting the females of the goat, sheep, and pig, .i. concluding with the declaration that “animals that prey on life shall not be cherished.”
The Edict goes on to specify the days of fasts and ceremonies, closing with the words,
“Furthermore, in the twenty-seventh year of my reign, at this present time, twenty-five prisoners are set at liberty."
D The Monolithic Inscriptions are continued in the eastern compartment, the text of which Prinsep translated in the following terms:
“Thus spake King DEVÁNAMPIYA PIYADASI: In the twelfth year of my anointment, a religious edict (was) published for the pleasure and profit of the world; having destroyed that (document) and regarding my former religion as sin, I now for the benefit of the world proclaim the fact. And this ... I therefore cause to be destroyed; and I proclaim the same in all the congregations; while I pray with every variety of prayer for those who differ from me in creed, that they following after my proper example may with me attain unto eternal salvation : wherefore the present
1 Firman of Akbar. “Be it known to the Muttasuddies of Malwa, that the whole of our desires consists in the performance of good actions, and our virtuous intentions are constantly directed to one object, tħat of delighting and gaining the hearts of our subjects.
“We, on hearing mention made of persons of any religious faith whatever, who pass their lives in sanctity, etc.,... shut our eyes on the external forms of their worship, and considering only the intention of their hearts, we feel a powerful inclination to admit them to our association, from a wish to do what may be acceptable to the Deity."
The prayer of the petitioners was: “That the Padishah should issue orders that during the twelve days of the month of Bhadra called Putchoossur (which are held by the Jainas to be particularly holy), no cattle should be slaughtered in the cities where their tribe reside." -Ordered accordingly, 7th Jumád-us-Sáni, 992 Hij. Era.-Malcolm, Central India.