Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c15.s1.t2.2

c15.s1.t2.2

¹ The Aśokan conception of *Dhammavijaya* was similar to that described in the *Chakkavatti Sīhanāda Sutta*, “conquest not by the scourge, not by the sword, but by righteousness” (*Dialogues of the Buddha*, Part III, p. 59). It was different from the Hindu conception explained and illustrated by the *Mahābhārata* (XII. 59, 38-39), the *Harivaṁśa* (I. 14.21), the *Kauṭilīya* (p. 382), and the *Raghuvaṁśa* (IV. 43). Attention may be invited in this connection to a Statement of Arrian that “a sense of justice prevented any Indian king from attempting conquest beyond the limits of India” (*Camb. Hist. Ind.* I. 321); M‘crindle, *Ancient India as described by Megasthenes and Arrian*, 209. Incidentally it may be pointed out that the discourse entitled the *Chakkavatti Sīhanāda* (*Lion Roar of the Chakravarti* or emperor who ‘conquers by righteousness’) possibly affords a clue to a proper appreciation of the famous Sarnath Capital with its *Chakra* and crowning lions. *Cf.* also *Rāmāyaṇa* II. 10.36: *Yāvadāvartate chakram tāvati me vasundharā*, IC, XV, 1-4, p. 179f.