[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [General history and culture](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general) › [The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924) › c23.2 # The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c23.2 The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c23.2 - **Language:** English ### [c23.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c23.2) THE edicts are devoted mainly to the exposition, inculcation, and enforcement of a scheme of practical ethics, or rule of conduct, which Asoka called \*Dhamma\*. No English word or phrase is exactly equivalent to the Prākrit \*dhamma\* (Sanskrit \*dharma\*), but the expression Law of Piety, or simply Piety, comes tolerably close to the meaning of the Indian term. The rendering Law of Duty may be used if preferred. The validity of this Law of Piety or Duty is assumed in the edicts, and no attempt is made to found it upon any theological or metaphysical basis. Theological ideas are simply ignored by Asoka, as they were by his master, Gautama; and the current Hindu philosophy of rebirth, inaccurately called metempsychosis, is taken for granted, and forms the background of the ethical teaching. - [Previous: c22.s9.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c22.s9.1) - [Next: c23.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c23.3) - [Up: c23](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c23) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c23.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.smith-1924.c23.2) · Pramāṇa