Book Title: Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 4
Author(s): R P Poddar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Previous | Next

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. 22. 23. 24. 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. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

Loading...

Page Navigation
1 ... 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288