Next followed the publication of Ashoka’s main series of 14 religious proclamations, which according to Rock Edicts III, IV, and V, the pillar edict

A Glance on Ashokan Edicts

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2020-08-09 05:11:35

Next followed the publication of Ashoka’s main series of 14 religious proclamations, which according to Rock Edicts III, IV, and V, the pillar edict VI, took place in 258-257 BCE, and also Rock edict of Kandahar published in 259 BCE – 10 years after his coronation.

The same year was associated with his “pilgrimage tours” to Bodh Gaya, “after he had been consecrated for ten years”, as stated in Rock Edict VIII Image

The idea of issuing religious edict is stated in Pillar Edict VI: ” When I had been consecrated for twelve years, I caused a inscription of the Dharma to be written for the welfare of world…..”

Next, it struck him that he must publish his edicts that they may be read permanently. And so he declared his decision in the minor Rock Edict I : ” And this very message is to be written on rocks and also pillars of stone.”

Thus, we have his rock edicts inscribed on rock or pillar, which enables us to hear to this day his voice across the centuries:

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