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| Ashoka pillar at Sarnath ,Varansi |
Except Kalinga ( present day ,Orissa ) was under the control of Magdha . Ashoka completed the work after defeating Kalinga in Great War . but after witnessing the mass deaths of the Kalinga War , he embraced Buddhism .
He dedicated his remaining life in propagating "Dhamma " and Buddhism all over the world . He sent many messengers across the Asia and established many "Stupa " all over the Asia.
Edicts of Ashoka :- Ashoka wanted to spread his message all over his empire , so he engraved his message on rocks , caves and Pillars known as Ashokan inscriptions .
They can be divided into following categories
1. Major Rock Edicts
2.Minor Rock Edicts
3.Pillar Inscriptions
Only with the help of these inscriptions it become possible that History of Ashoka was discovered . In most of the inscriptions Ashoka was regarded as " Pyiadassi " .In 18th century with the Great work of James Princep inscriptions were depicted ( These inscriptions are in Brahami Script)
Ashoka ruled for an estimated forty years. After his death, the Mauryan dynasty lasted just fifty more years. Ashoka had many wives and children, but many of their names are lost to time. Mahindra and Sanghamitra were twins born by his first wife, Devi. He had entrusted to them the job of making his state religion, Buddhism, more popular across the known and the unknown world.They went to Srilanka and converted the King of Srilanka into Buddhism.
It was said that in the lasts days of Life Ashoka converted to Buddhism ,officially ..and started his journey towards discovery of ultimate truth .
British historian H.G. Wells has written: "Amidst the tens of thousands of names of monarchs that crowd the columns of history, their majesties and Graciousnesses and serenities and royal highnesses and the like, the name of Asoka shines, and shines, almost alone, a star."
So Why Ashoka is regarded "The Great Ashoka " !
Answer is simple ....Being Stronger ,Powerful and Capable is not important , Important is to use of power in the Welfare of the People ,Society and World . Ashoka was a very powerful king with great Magdhan Army which even feared Alexander himself, But Ashoka used his resource in the welfare of the People and society and followed the path of Peace and Harmony .
Ashoka said in his inscription
"
Now it is conquest by Dhamma [(which conquest means peaceful conversion, not military conquest)] that Beloved-of-the-Gods considers to be the best conquest. And it (conquest by Dhamma) has been won here, on the borders, even six hundred yojanas away, where the Greek king Antiochos rules, beyond there where the four kings named Ptolemy, Antigonos, Magas and Alexander rule, likewise in the south among the Cholas, the Pandyas, and as far as Tamraparni. Here in the king's domain among the Greeks, the Kambojas, the Nabhakas, the Nabhapamkits, the Bhojas, the Pitinikas, the Andhras and the Palidas, everywhere people are following Beloved-of-the-Gods' instructions in Dhamma. Even where Beloved-of-the-Gods' envoys have not been, these people too, having heard of the practice of Dhamma and the ordinances and instructions in Dhamma given by Beloved-of-the-Gods, are following it and will continue to do so."
Edict of Ashoka - Rock Edictand
"Everywhere within Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi's [Ashoka's] domain, and among the people beyond the borders, the Chola , the Pandays, the Satiyaputras, the Keralaputras, as far as Tamrapami and where the Greek king Antiochos rules, and among the kings who are neighbours of Antiochos, everywhere has Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, made provision for two types of medical treatment: medical treatment for humans and medical treatment for animals. Wherever medical herbs suitable for humans or animals are not available, I have had them imported and grown. Wherever medical roots or fruits are not available I have had them imported and grown. Along roads I have had wells dug and trees planted for the benefit of humans and animals"
Edicts of Ashoka ,Rock edict 2
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