Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c19.7

c19.7

| *Aśoka's Edicts.* | *Kauṭilya's Arthaśāstra* |
| State help to the destitute and infirm by age (*anātheshu vriddheshu*) [RE. V]. | to maintain the orphan, decrepit, diseased, afflicted and destitute [II. 1]. |
| 14. Reference to unjust imprisonment (*bandhana*), execution (*vadha*) and torture (*palibodha*) of prisoners and to Aśoka's measures for checking such abuses in RE. X. | 14. Kauṭilya also [IV. 9] mentions such abuses as (*a*) confining persons without reason (*saṁruddhalamanākhyāya*), (*b*) putting them to unjust torture (*karmakārayataḥ*), (*c*) molesting them (*parikleśayataḥ*) and (*d*) causing their deaths (*ghnataḥ*). |
| 15. Reference in RE. VI to Aśoka's readiness for public business at all hours, even when he is eating (*bhumjamānasa*), or in the harem (*orodhanamhi*), or inner apartments, or ranches (*vachamhi*), or parks (*uyānesu*). | 15. The list of king's duties mentioned by Kauṭilya agrees with what is suggested here. *E.g.*, the *orodhana* of the Edict corresponds to *śayīta* of Kauṭilya; *bhumjāmanasa* to *snānabhojana*; *uyanesu* to *svairavihāra*; while as regards *vraja*, Kauṭilya refers to the king's duty of inspecting the horses, elephants, chariots and infantry as well as his livestock [I. 19]. In II. 6, Kauṭilya uses the term *vraja* of the Edict to include cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, asses, camels, horses and mules. Lastly, as the Edict refers to the king going to his *udyāna* for pleasure, Kauṭilya [II. 2] |