262 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [May, 1910.] 



again raised themselves to their former position, and even to 

 higher position. How Asoka's policy of dealing equal punish- 

 ments to all and giving no privilege in law- suits fared in the long 

 run, may be gathered from the Mrcchakatika. King Palaka cf 

 Ujjayini seems to have been a follower of Asoka. In his king- 

 dom the Brahmanas fared very badlv. Carudatta, a Brahmana 

 merchant, was reduced to penury with all his followers. An- 

 other Brahmana Sarvilaka felt so low that he had to take to 

 thieving for his livelihood. Low, wretched people were advanced 

 to high dignities. In the trial of Carudutta, the Judge was ob- 

 liged to find him guilty, and pointed out to the king that Brah- 

 manas should not be capitally punished. But the king insisted 

 upon Danda-samata and ordered that he should be impaled alive. 

 Before the order could be executed, however, there 



J Palaka was hurled down from his throne, 

 and Carudutta was raised to the dignity of the Prime Minister, 

 and Sarvilaka raised to a high dignity. This Indian literature 

 bears testimony how the great empire of Asoka came to an end 

 by the opposition of the Brahmanas whom he wanted to reduce 

 to the level of the common folk. 



revolution. Kin 



was a 



