Ashoka's Public Confession

Ashoka would make such an extraordinary public confession because he wanted to show his people that he had had a change of heart. After seeing what catastrophic effects war had on the people he conquered, Ashoka felt the need for a change during his reign. The public confession allowed him to present himself to his people in a way that showed how emotional he was; “Beloved-of-the-Gods is deeply pained by the killing, dying and deportation that take place when an unconquered country is conquered”. By confessing how he feels towards the war (guilt, remorse, sadness,etc.) he is able to connect with his people since he is showing that people of high stature still have feelings. Ashoka also points out how the war pains everyone either directly or
indirectly; “These misfortunes befall all (as a result of war),..” He emphasized how important it will be for future generations to see the pain that war has caused and to otherwise avoid it. Through his public confession, Ashoka tried telling his people that a change was needed so they could all live in a more peaceful time without the pains of war.