The Mauryan Polity c11.s3.t3.38

c11.s3.t3.38

(5) Aśoka makes no mention whatsoever of the Buddhist notion of *nirvāṇa*³ and the *nirvāṇic* annihilation which is the fundamental characteristic of the Buddhist faith. In this respect the inscriptions of Aśoka do, not only, not conform to the prescriptions of the Dhammapada but differ from them widely. The keynote of the *Dhammapada* is the doctrine of *nirvāṇa*.¹ Hence the remarks of the latest writer on the subject, Vallee Poussin, can hardly be accepted: “Le bouddhisme d’Aśoka, en effect, respire l’atmosphere des textes qui, pour diverses raisons, sont consideres comme les plus archaiques, *Dhammapada*, *Suttanipāta*, (dont des morceaux sont proprement nommes a Bhabra).”² As already shown the reference to *svarga* is made in the edicts on more than one occasion. The concept of *nirvāṇa* is such as it does not lead to any enjoyment or happiness after life. But the concept of heaven does imply all this.