Question

Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription?

"Whosoever praises his religious sector blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely". 

1. Ashoka
2. Samudragupta
3. Harshavardhana
4. Krishnadeva Raya

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Ashoka

The correct answer is Ashoka.

• Ashoka has been credited with the propagation of the tenets of the Buddhist sect.
• Ashoka's dhamma (way of life) did not involve any worship to God or sacrifices, and he thought that his duty towards his subjects was like that of a father towards his son.
• Ashoka's edicts and inscriptions contained instructions on religious matters especially Buddhism and rules for the conduct of Bhikshuks.

• Ashoka's inscriptions can be classified into Pillar Edicts. Major Rock Edicts, and Minor Rock Edicts.
• James Prinsep was the first person to decipher Ashoka’s edicts.
• The excerpt from the12th Major Rock Edict reads:
  • "Whosoever praises his religious sector blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely".
  • Growth in essentials can be done in different ways, but all of them have as their root restraint in speech, that is, not praising one's
    own religion, or condemning the religion of others without good cause.
  • And if there is cause for criticism, it should be done in a mild way.
  • But it is better to honour other religions for this reason.
  • By so doing, one's own religion benefits, and so do other religions, while doing otherwise harms one's own religion and the religions of others. 
• The inscriptions of other major rock edicts read-
  • First- Prohibits animal slaughter
  • Second- Care for man and animals
  • Third- Generosity to Brahmins
  • Fourth- Sound of Dhamma
  • Fifth- Slave right
  • Sixth- Welfare measure
  • Seventh- Tolerance for all religions
  • Eighth- Ashoka's first visit to Bodh Gaya
  • Ninth- Condemns popular ceremonies
  • Tenth- Disapproves of the individual's desire for glory
  • Eleventh- Elaborates on Dhamma
  • Thirteenth-Ashoka's victory over Kalinga
  • Fourteenth- Engraving of inscriptions installed in various parts of the country.