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298 POLITICAL HISTORY OF ANCIENT INDIA not grasp this truth to its full extent. Some individual, perchance, pays heed, but to a part only, not the whole. See then to this, for the principle of government is well established. Again, it happens that some individual incurs imprisonment or torture, and when the result is his imprisonment without due cause, many other people are deeply grieved. In such a case you must desire to do justice 2 ...and for this purpose, in accordance with the Law of Piety, I shall send forth in rotation every five years such persons (Mahāmātras) as are of mild and temperate disposition, and regardful of the sanctity of life, who knowing this my purpose will comply with my instructions. From Ujjain, however, the Prince for this purpose will send out a similar body of officials and will not over-pass three years. In the same way from Taxila."
Taxila made its submission to Aśoka. The Maurya prince is further represented as entering the "Svaša rājya” (Khasa according to Burnouf).*
Foreign Relations In his relations with the Hellenistic powers Bindusāra pursued a pacific policy. We learn from the classical
1 "You do not learn how far this (my) objects reaches." (Hultzsch, Inscriptions of Asoka, p. 95).
2 "It happens in the administration (of justice) that a single person suffers either imprisonment or harsh treatment. In this case (an order) cancelling the imprisonment is (obtained) by him accidentally, while (many) other people continue to suffer, In this case you must strive to deal (with all of them) impartially." (Hultzsch, p. 96).
3 "I shall send out every five years (a Mahāmātra) who will be neither harsh nor fierce, (but) of gentle actions. (viz., in order to ascertain) whether (the judicial officers) paying attention to this object...are acting thus, as my instruction (implies)." (Hultzsch p. 97).
4 Divyāvadāna, p. 372. The emendation Khaśa is supported by the testimony of Tāranātha (IHQ. 1930, 334). For the Kaśas see JASB, (Extra No. 2, 1899)
