Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 3

Author(s): R P Poddar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 90

DATE (TITHI) OF THE STARTING OF ASOKA'S DHARMALIPI
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iv. The duration of the later exertion period or the vivāsa period during which Asoka was on a tour of pilgrimage is already known to us. It is indicated in this inscription itself in as many as 12 copiest and the meaning of this part is made clear by the elaboration in the Rupnath, Sahasram and Ahraura versions. Not satisfied with his religious exertion displayed through Sangha-upagamana (being devotedly attached to the Buddhist Church), Sambodhi-nishkramana? (going out to Sambodhi or Bodh-Gaya), Dharma-pravartana (showing of Piety to the people) and other connected activities, he decided to set out on a long tour of pilgrimage or vivāsa which means 'absence from home son tour]' or 'passing one's time away from home' (i.e., from the capital in the present case). This pilgrimage was undertaken immediately after the installation of the relics of the Buddha on a platform (manche Budhasa salile alodhe मंचे बुधस सलीले आलोढे)4 for worship [in the capital city of Pāțaliputra). While still on tour, he selected some (evidently auspicious) point of time when the Minor Rock Edict I was promulgated. The concluding part of the Ahraura version says : “This declaration has been made by me while I am) on a tour of pilgrimage] for 256 nights (i.e., days) since the relics of the Buddha ascended (i.e., were caused to be installed by me on) the platform [for worship).5 This means the edict was promulgated on the 257th day of the tour.6 This gives the length of the later exertion period or the vivāsa period.
Let us convert the 257 days into months for convenience in calculation. A lunar year is of 354 days in which months are generally speaking alternately of 30 and 29 days (59 X6-354). Thus eight months have 236
1.
The words used in the various copies for 'by one who has been on a tour of pilgrimage or viväsa (skt. eafqats) [for the number of nights specified hereafter)' are faae (Sahasram, Ahraura, Gujarra), fargeta (Panguraria), yoat (Rupnath), ayeta (Erragudi, Rajula--Mandagiri), 7 (Nittur, Brahmagiri), ay....(Udegolam), ... (Jatinga-Rameshwar),......... (fully damaged) (Siddapur). The figure 256 indicating the number of nights passed in the tour of pilgrimage is given in all the twelve copies; but at Udegolam where only au... is preserved. the number is completely damaged. Compare Siddhārtha Gautama's mahäbhinishk ramara. See D. C. Sircar, op. cit., pp. 70, 98-99. The Ahraura version of the edict, discovered in 1961, is the only Asokan record which states this. D. C. Sircar op. cit., p. 82. For a discussion on 256 nights (equivalent to 257 days) see D. C. Sircar, op. cit., 70-80, 98-99. The use of the word rätri in the sense of day passed away from home is well-known from numerous passages in ancient scriptures.
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