Instructions to love parents and elders, be kind and speak the truth, in rock edicts of Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE) which are earliest deciphered inscriptions found in India; Jonnagiri, AP rock edicts
Instead of one long post, I plan to share info. about this topic as a series of relatively smaller posts.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Indian_epigraphy informs us, "The earliest undisputed deciphered epigraphy found in India are the Edicts of Ashoka of the 3rd century BCE, in the Brahmi script." In this context, I understand epigraphy to mean inscriptions. So these are the oldest written records found in India that have been deciphered.
It adds that undeciphered writings in India go back much further - 3rd millennium BCE - written in Indus script which has not yet been deciphered. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_script tells us that it is not known whether the symbols of Indus script constituted a writing system (script used by a language).
So, as of now, if I have understood correctly, the earliest historical written message/record in India whose meaning we know, are these rock edicts of emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan empire, who ruled from 268 BCE to 232 BCE.
Given below is a great pic of a part of one of these rock edicts where we can easily see the engraved symbols/letters:
[On PC desktop, to open pic in larger resolution (if available), right-click on pic followed by open link (NOT image) in new tab/window. In new tab/window you may have to click on pic to zoom in.]
"One of the Edicts of Ashoka in the Brahmi script, in Lauriya Araraj, Bihar, 3rd Century BC.", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Indian_epigraphy . Pic courtesy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ashoka_Lauriya_Areraj_inscription.jpg
The script used in these edicts is Brahmi with the language being Prakrit, but in North West part of Mauryan empire other scripts like Kharosthi, Greek and Aramaic were used.
An interesting video in this context: TOP 10 Oldest Rock Edicts Build By KING ASHOKA, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoS4ven8Ikk , 5 min. 32 secs., published on 29th Dec. 2018.
An extract from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edicts_of_Ashoka :
These inscriptions were dispersed throughout the areas of modern-day Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and provide the first tangible evidence of Buddhism. The edicts describe in detail Ashoka's view on dhamma, an earnest attempt to solve some of the problems that a complex society faced.[3:'The Ashokan rock edicts are a marvel of history', https://www.rediff.com/news/special/the-ashokan-rock-edicts-are-a-marvel-of-history/20170808.htm ] According to the edicts, the extent of Buddhist proselytism during this period reached as far as the Mediterranean, and many Buddhist monuments were created.
These inscriptions proclaim Ashoka's adherence to the Buddhist philosophy. The inscriptions show his efforts to develop the Buddhist dhamma throughout his kingdom. Although Buddhism as well as Gautama Buddha are mentioned, the edicts focus on social and moral precepts rather than specific religious practices or the philosophical dimension of Buddhism. These were located in public places and were meant for people to read.
In these inscriptions, Ashoka refers to himself as "Beloved of the Gods" (Devanampiya).
--- end wiki extract ---
In this post, I will give an idea of what text these edicts contain. A later post will cover it in more detail.
Jonnagiri in Kurnool district has Ashoka rock edict(s). Given below is a pic of Jonnagiri ASI plaque
The key text of the plaque about the message from Emperor Ashoka in it, is given below:
"THUS SAITH THE BELOVED OF THE GODS YOU SHOULD ACT AS INSTRUCTED BY THE BELOVED OF THE GODS. YOU SHOULD ORDER THE RAJUKKAS IN THEIR TURN SHOULD ORDER THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE AS WELL AS THE LOCAL OFFICERS CALLED RASTRIKAS IN THE FOLLOWING WORDS "MOTHER FATHER AND ELDERS ARE TO BE LOVED, LIVING BEINGS SHOULD BE TREATED WITH KINDNESS. TRUTH MUST BE SPOKEN"
Here's a video (in Telugu) about Jonnagiri Ashoka Rock Edicts: Yerra gudi edicts || ashokudu edicts || kurnool edicts || yerra gudi shasanaalu, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atgFy5MsrTc , around 8 mins., published on 30th Aug. 2020.
Hmm. Jonnagiri in Kurnool district seems to be around 150 kms north of Puttaparthi - so not very far away. The southern part of Mauryan empire under emperor Ashoka seems to have stretched into quite some areas of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh states. Fascinating to know that Emperor Ashoka left his mark in a place quite near to Puttaparthi, over two millennia ago and which mark in some form (rock edicts or fragments of rock edicts) still survives.
Sopara, Thane district, Maharashtra has fragments of Major Rock Edicts 8 and 9, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Edicts_of_Ashoka ! This is close to Mumbai/Dombivli where I spent most of the first four decades of my life!
Fascinating to know of these messages from the ruler (emperor) on ethical behaviour in community and giving respect to parents and speaking the truth, that are visible even now, over 2,000 years later! Truly, India has a very long and very strong history of rulers who encouraged Dharma/ethical behaviour in community life with these rulers getting inspiration to do so from religious leaders and saints.
[I thank Wikipedia and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above extract(s) from their website on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
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