Whisper of the Rock Elephant

The 'Whisper of the Rock Elephant' is an untold tale from the shadowy pages of ancient history, where an Emperor, having beheaded and captured a vast army from a neighbouring kingdom, foresaw the dangers of his power. His realization of the need to devote his life and wealth to the propagation of truth and righteousness led to a profound transformation, turning him away from conquest. The devastated land was Kalinga, a state whose people, known for their free spirit, refused to surrender. 1

Much of what is known about this dark period is a mix of fact and imagination, better conveyed through the whisper of Seto, the rock elephant carved from a hill beside the battlefield. Seto is said to possess divine power, like a Buddha enlightened even before birth, and is believed to be a heavenly creature belonging to Lord Indra, ruler of the heavens. These whispers passed down through generations, provide a unique perspective on the events of that time.

Seto's whispers reveal more than the victorious Emperor Piyadasi's words in his Kandahar rock edict. The Proclamation expresses his guilt over the bloodshed and his transformation towards piety and Dhamma. His remorse was inscribed across India and beyond on rock surfaces, alongside pillars and monuments engraved with ancient scripts.

Seto speaks of the deeper cause of the Emperor's remorse-a sorrow that led him to follow Tathagata Buddha. From Kalinga's battlefield enlightenment took root in the Emperor's mind, persistently pinning and guiding him towards righteousness.

Through this story, readers can discover the invisible ray of humanity pierced through the darkness, settling the turmoil within the Emperor whenever inhumanity threatened to unsettle him.