Fourteen Rock Edicts of Emperor
Ashoka are seen at
Junagadh, in
Gujarat, cut into a great rock outside the city. These inscriptions in
Pali language (
Brahmi script) date back to 263 BC.
Rudrakama added Sanskrit inscriptions in around 150 AD, and Skandagupta in about 450 AD. The inscriptions came to the notice of the world in 1837. Since then millions of people from all over the country and abroad have visited this magnificent historic site.
The inscriptions preach 16 principles such as matery of the senses, purity of thought, gratitude, devotion, self-control, secular thinking and kindness. They oppose animal sacrifice and greed. The Edicts tell the tale of Ashoka's repentance for death and destruction during the wars waged by him.
