Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 4

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

Page 98

Ideals of Asokan Polity
89
of sentence or mercy appeal), otherwise, they could endeavour at their own for the betterment in the next world by making liberal gifts, observing fasts and the like (P. E. IV).22
From P. E. IV. we learn that during 26th year of his consecration he resorted to another bold measure, whereby the independence of Judiciary was virtually proclaimed. He, now, invested Rajukas with the over-all charge of law and justice, including powers of hearing appeals, in order that they might discharge their duties freely and frankly.29
Aśoka's faithfulness to the principle of fraternity' is evident in his extending Public welfare activities to the kingdoms of his frontier as well as foreign allies. This spirit was further strengthened by the despatch o' cultural and religious missions, which Aśoka termed as 'Dharma-Vijayaf (R. Es. II, XIII).
Thus, the great noble emperor, who in the plenty of power and prosperity held himself the servant of people-justified his personal name, as also epithets. He was Aśoka, in the sense that he wiped out tears of fallen ones, he was 'Priyadarsi', for he sought the good of all beings, and was 'Devānāṁpriya' (Beloved of the Gods) since, he endeared himself to gods by his meritorious deeds.24
To-day, the message of Asoka stands out more relevant than it was centuries ago, in his times With ever increasing 'armament-race' with "languishing moral values' and 'incessant war psychosis' humanity is always at stake. Every now and then we hear of 'Disarmament summits' and Strategic-Arms-Limitation-Talks'-but all in vain. It is now high time to embibe Aśoka's message into practice, which, we are sure, would save humanity from devastations looming large.
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अव इते पिच में आवृति बंधनवधानं मुनिसानं तीलितदंडानं पतवधान तिनि दिवसानि मे योते दिने । नातिका व कानि निझपयिसंति जीविताये तानं । नासंतं वा निझपयिता दानं दाहंति पालतिकं उपवासं वा कछंति । इछा हि मे हेव निलुधसि पि कालसि पालनं आलाधयेवूति । P. E. IV. तेसं ये अभिहाले वा दंडे वा अतपतिये मे कटे किंति लजूका अस्वथ अभीत कंमानि पवतयेयू जनस जानपदसा हितसुखं उपदहेवू अनुगहिनेवु चा ।
P. E. IV.
इमिना चु कालेन अमिसा समाना मुनिसा मिसा देवेहि । M. R. E., Brahmagiri.