The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c29.44

v1.c29.44

The activity of Açoka lay wholly, so far as we are informed of it, in the sphere of *dharma*, i.e. according to the Indian definition, the sphere of conduct leading to heaven or to final liberation⁵; we may say, the spheres of religion and morality. It therefore furnishes a complement to the strictly political system of the Arthaçāstra. We may consider it under the aspects of the emperor's principles and personal action, his admonitions, and his ordinances and institutions.