Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c11.s37.1

c11.s37.1

Aśoka's Dharma is primarily ethical social conduct and it includes even the animal kingdom within the scope of its all-embracing benevolence. We read at the end of the Minor Rock-Edict (Yerraguḍi) ‘Obedience must be rendered to mother and father, likewise to elders ; compassion should be shown towards men ; the truth must be spoken ; these moral virtues (*dhamma-guṇā*) must be practised....Pupils should respect their teachers in accordance with the ancient rule (*porāṇā pakiti*)’³. Again in the third Rock Edict : ‘Meritorious (*sādhu*) is obedience to mother and father. Liberality (*dānam*) to friends, acquaintances, and relatives, to Brāhmaṇas and Śramaṇas is meritorious.