The Mauryan Polity c7.s4.t1.13

c7.s4.t1.13

But it would appear from the prescriptions of the *Arthaśāstra* that such sports as involved the loss of life to the animals were discouraged by Candragupta, as also by Aśoka.² If we read the chapter entitled *sūnādhyakṣa* with the relevant text in the First Rock Edict, and the second Pillar Edict, we see that Aśoka enforces the laws of the *Arthaśāstra* even with regard to the animal kingdom. Aśoka was not against healthy sports where there was no slaughter of the animal. What he did was to abolish cruel and unhealthy sports; but he provided edifying shows.³ On this topic it may be proved that Aśoka did not go far from the prescription of the *Arthaśāstra* so far as the killing of animals was concerned. Kauṭalya prohibits their killing for 15 days during *cāturmāsya* and four days of the full moon.⁴ These are accepted Hindu fast-days. In the same way Aśoka who⁵ did not discontinue their killing for his kitchen, forbade their killing on fast days (*anuposatham*). A remarkable circumstance in this connection is the common use of the term *cāturmāsya* both in the *Arthaśāstra* and the inscriptions. This coincidence demonstrates beyond doubt that Aśoka was not preaching Buddhism but was pursuing the *dharma* established in the state.