Ashok Charit

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Ashok Charit" by R.R. Devdutta, translated by Bharatram Bhanusukhram Mehta, published by Gujarat Vernacular Society, Ahmedabad:

This work, "Ashok Charit," is a Gujarati translation of an English book authored by R.R. Devdutta. The translation was undertaken by Bharatram Bhanusukhram Mehta, an assistant to the Directorate of Education. The book was published by the Gujarat Vernacular Society in Ahmedabad in Samvat 1983 (1927 CE), with an initial print run of 1500 copies.

The book is dedicated to the memory of the late Lallubhai Dalpatram Kaveshwar and was made possible through a fund established in his honor. The preface by the translator, Bharatram Bhanusurp Mehta, highlights that the ideas presented in the book are primarily from the original English author, R.R. Devdutta. Mehta notes that while he agrees with Devdutta on many points, he also has some disagreements, which he has expressed independently in his own work, "Ashok na Shilalekho" (Ashok's Inscriptions). He advises readers to be wary of unsubstantiated claims made in some historical accounts, particularly those based on Sinhala chronicles, and states that the book aims to provide a clear understanding of the true nature of Ashoka. He expresses gratitude to the University of Calcutta for granting permission to translate the English text and to the Gujarat Vernacular Society for undertaking the publication.

The original author's preface elaborates on the extensive body of work already available on Ashoka, yet emphasizes that much of it is interpretive and that a comprehensive understanding of his inscriptions, which represent his own words, is still evolving. The author highlights the unique nature of Ashoka's edicts, which are both fascinating and instructive, and notes that the compilation and interpretation of these scattered fragments is an ongoing task. The author's own journey of studying Ashoka's inscriptions began in 1898, and he acknowledges the significant contributions of scholars like Prinsep, Wilson, Bunsen, Burnouf, Senart, and Müller. He particularly credits M. Senart's work on the "Piyadasi's Edicts" for its illuminating translation and insightful analysis, which helped him in reconstructing Ashoka's reign, his administrative system, his foreign relations, his adoption of Buddhism, and the nature of his religious policies.

The book is structured into several chapters:

• Chapter 1: Ashoka and his Early Life: Discusses Ashoka's lineage, his grandfather Chandragupta Maurya (identified with Sandracottus by Greek historians), and the importance of his rock and pillar edicts, which provide firsthand historical information. It touches upon the unreliability of some Buddhist texts regarding Ashoka's life and his transformation from "Chanda Ashoka" to "Dharma Ashoka."
• Chapter 2: Ashoka's Empire and Administration: Focuses on the extent of Ashoka's empire and his administrative system, primarily drawing from his edicts. It details the geographical reach of his empire based on the locations of his major rock edicts and discusses the appointment of princes (Kumars) and other officials like Mahamatras and Rajjuks in various provinces.
• Chapter 3: Ashoka the Buddhist: Establishes Ashoka's identity as a devout Buddhist, supported by his edicts, particularly the Bhabra Edict. It discusses the period of his conversion to Buddhism and his subsequent activities as a proponent of Dharma, including his missionary zeal and the travels of monks.
• Chapter 4: Ashoka's Dharma: Explores the concept of "Dharma" as understood by Ashoka. It highlights the moral and ethical principles he promoted, such as non-violence (Ahimsa), truthfulness, purity, respect for elders, charity, and proper conduct towards all beings. It also discusses his emphasis on self-reflection and the elimination of vices like anger and envy. The author notes the universality of Ashoka's ethical teachings, which transcend sectarian boundaries.
• Chapter 5: Ashoka as a Preacher of Dharma: Details Ashoka's active role in propagating Dharma through various means. This includes his public pronouncements, the appointment of Dharma Mahamatras (officials of Dharma), his travels (Dharma Yatras) to important Buddhist sites like Bodh Gaya, and his efforts to ensure the welfare of his subjects, both human and animal.
• Chapter 6: Social and Religious Life (Based on Ashoka's Edicts): Provides insights into the social and religious landscape of Ashoka's time. It discusses the coexistence of various religious sects like Buddhism, Brahmanism, and Jainism (referred to as 'Nirgantha' and 'Ajivaka'). It also touches upon the prevailing customs, the importance of charitable acts, and the dietary regulations, noting Ashoka's efforts to curb unnecessary animal sacrifice.
• Chapter 7: Ashoka's Place in History: Evaluates Ashoka's legacy and his impact on history. It compares him with other great rulers like Constantine, Marcus Aurelius, and Akbar, highlighting Ashoka's unique emphasis on ethical governance and universal welfare over military conquest. It also discusses the potential decline of the Maurya Empire after Ashoka and the subsequent foreign invasions.
• Chapter 8: Ashoka's Edicts (Location, etc.): This chapter provides a detailed geographical distribution of Ashoka's edicts, including the major rock edicts, minor rock edicts, pillar edicts, and cave inscriptions. It discusses the scripts used (Brahmi and Kharosthi) and the languages of the edicts, analyzing linguistic variations across different regions.

Throughout the book, the translator emphasizes the importance of interpreting Ashoka's edicts as primary historical sources, distinct from later hagiographical accounts. The work aims to present a factual and scholarly account of Ashoka's life, reign, and the impact of his Dharma-centric policies, drawing heavily on the original English text. The extensive footnotes and references indicate a thorough academic approach to the subject matter.