Jainthology

Author(s): Ganesh Lalwani
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 97

Of the “Dharma" as preached by Asoka, an important item was Ahimsā, e.g., Non-killing of animals is commendable" (Rock Edict 3) ; “Has now been promoted by the Dharma instructions of the Beloved of the gods, king Priyadarsin (i.e,, Asoka himself), the non-killing of animals, non-hurting of living beings", etc. (Rock Edict 4); "Therein (i.e., in Dharma these take place ... non-killing of animals" (Rock Edict 11) ; "These are the Dharma regulations as have been ordered by me'these various animals are inviolable', etc." (Pillar Edict 7).
In addition to preaching Ahimsā, Asoka took these positive mea
es to enforce it in actual practice, viz., he forbade the killing of any living being for sacrificial purposes (Rock Edict 1). Let us not overlook the hostile reaction that this order must have produced among the great majority of his subjects viz., the Hindus who followed the Vedic cult and others, such as the aboriginal tribes and the forerunners of the Sāktas who killed animals as a religious rite. Further he forbade the Samāja festivals, i.e., periodical gatherings of a large number of people who participated in games, racing, gambling, singing and dancing and other amusements besides indulging in various kinds of revelries with the accompaniment of drinking, meat-eating, etc. (Rock Edict 1). This measure too must have given rise to widespread discontent among the populace. In the same Edict he refers to the killing of animals of the palace kitchen being reduced to only two peacocks and a deer, and that deer again not always, and "even these three animals shall not be killed in future". In Rock Edict 8 is recorded his giving up the royal hunt, a gorgeously brilliant and pompous state function as described by Megasthenes in connection with Candragupta's life. In Pillar Edict 5 he gives a long list of various animals that were declared inviolable by him and of the male animals which were forbidden to be castrated ; again, husks containing living beings (viz. insects) are not to be burnt ; forests are not to be burnt either needlessly or for killing animals; one animal is not to be fed with another animal" ; on certain tithis or lunar days catching and selling of fish, the killing of certain kinds of animals and the branding of certain others were forbidden.
In India's history, after Asoka only another powerful Emperor viz., Akbar issued orders for the prevention of cruelty to animals and that was done by the influence of the celebrated Jaina teacher Hiravijaya whom Akbar had summoned to his court. Another king, though not so powerful as Asoka or Akbar. viz., Kumārapala of Gujarat in the 12th century, also did the same under the influence of the great Jaina teacher Hemacandra.
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