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7 We now turn to the inscriptions themselves, and we will begin with the Rock Edicts. | . Five rocks in five different parts .of India bear on them five texts of the same series of edicts which Asoka published. One of them is near Kapur da giri, about. 25 miles to the north-west of Attok, on the Indus ; another is near Kalsé, on the Jumna river just where it leaves the higher range ofthe Himalaya mountains ; the third is at Gzraar in Gujrat, about 40 miles to the north of the famous Somnath; the fourth is at Dhauii in Orissa, about 20 miles to the south of Cuttack; and the fifth is at Jaugada, near the Chilka Lake, and about 18 miles to the north-west of the modern town of Ganjam. These Fourteen Edicts possess such surpassing inter- est for every student'of Indian history, that we consider it necessary to transcribe them in full. They were first translated by James Prinsep, and have since been ré- vised by Wilson and Burnouf, Lassen, Kern, and Senart. M. Senart’s revision is the latest, and the following ren- dering is according to his interpretation of the Edicts. It is scarcely necessary to premise that Asoka calls himself Piyadasi in the Edicts. EDICT I. This Edict has been engraved by the order of King Piyadasi, beloved of the gods. One mmst not, here below, kill any living animal by im- molating it, not for the purpose of feasts, The King Piyadasi sees much that is sinful in such feasts. Formerly such feasts were allowed ; and in 8g BUDDHIST PERIOD. (BOOK IV. the cuisine of King Piyadasi, beloved of the gods, and for the table of King Piyadasi, beloved of the gods, hundreds of thousands of living beings were killed every day. At the time when this Edict is engraved three animals only are killed for the table, two pea fowls and a gazelle, and the gazelle not regularly, Even these three animals will not be killed in future. EDICT Il. Everywhere in the kingdom of the King Piyadasi, beloved of the gods, and also of the nations who live in the frontiers, such as the Cholas, the Pandyas, the realms of Satyaputra and Keralaputra, as far as Tamba- panni, fand in the kingdom of) Antiochus, king of the Greeks, and of the kings who are his neighbours,—everywheré the King Piyadasi, beloved of the gods, has provided medicines of two sorts, medicines for men and medicines for animals. Wherever plants useful either for men or for ani- mals were wanting, they have been imported and planted. Wherever roots and fruits were wanting, they have been imported and planted. And along public roads, wells have been dug for the use of animals and men, EDICT Wl. Thus spake King Piyadasi, beloved of the gods. In the twelfth year after my anointment, E ordered as follows. Everywhere in my empire, the faithful, the Rajuka, and the governor of the district, shall meet in a gathering (Anusamy4na), once every five years, as a part of their duty, in order to proclaim religious instructions. as follows: ‘* It is good and pro- per to render dutiful service to one’s father and mother, to friends, to acquaintances and relations; it is good and proper to bestow alms on Brahmans and Sramans, to respect the life of living beings, to avoid pro- digality and violent language.” The clergy shall then instruct the faith- ’ fal in detail in the spirit and in the word. EDICT Iv, . Ta past times, during many hundred years, have prevailed the slaughter of living beings, violence towards creatures, want of regard for relations, and want of respect for Brahmans and Sramans, But this day the King CHAP. 1] ASOKA AND- HIS EDICTS, 9 Piyadasi, beloved of. the gods, and faithful to the practice of religion, has made a religious proclamation by beat of drum, and has made a display of equipages, elephants, torches and celestial objects to his people. , Thanks to the instructions of the religion spread by the King Piyadasi, heloved of the gods, there exist to day a respect for living creatures, a tenderness towards them, a regard for-relations and for Brahmans and Srdmans, a dutiful obedience to father and mother, and obeisance to aged men, such a$ have. not existed for centuries, _ In this respect as in others, the practice of religion prevails, and the King Piyadasi, beloved of the gods, will continue to cause it to prevail. The sons, the grandsons, and the great-grandsons of King Piyadasi, beloved of the gods, will cause this ‘ practice of religion to prevail tothe end’of this world. Firm in religion and in virtue, they will inculcate religion. “For the teaching of religion is the most meritorious of acts, and there is no practice of religion with. out virtue. The development, the prosperity of the religious interest, is desirable. With this object has this been’ engraved, in order that they may apply themsélves to the highest good of this interest, and they may not allow it to decline, The King Pyiadasi, beloved of the gods, has caused thisto he engraved 12 years after his anointment. EDICT V.. Thus spake King Piyadasi, beloved of the gods, The practice of virtue is difficalt and those who practise virtue perform what is difficult. I have myself accomplished many virtuous acts. And so shall my sons and grandsons, and my latest posterity to the end of the Kalpa pursue the same conduct, and shall perform what is good. And he who shall neglect such conduct shall do what is evil. Ta do ‘evil is easy. Thus in the past there were no ministers of religion (Dharmameh4matra), But I, 13 years after my anointment, have created ministers of religion. ‘They mix with all seets for the establishment and the progress of religion and for the well being of the faithful, They mix with the Yavanas, the Kambojas, the G&ndharas, the Saurashtras and the Petenikas, ‘and with other frontier (Aparfnta) nations, They. mix with warriors and with Brahmans, with the rich and the poor and the aged, for their. well being and happiness, 10 BUDDHIST PERIOD. [BOOK IV. and in order to remove all the obstacles in the path of the fullowers of the true religion. They bring comfort to him who is in fetters, to remove his obstacles, and to deliver him,—because he has a family to support, because he has been the victim of deceit, and because he is bent withage. At Pataliputra and in other towns they exert themselves in the houses of my brothers and sisters and other relations. Everywhere the ministers of re- ligion mix with the followers of the true religion, with those who apply themselves to religion and are firm in religion, and with those who bestow alms. It is with this object that this Edict is engraved. EDICT VI, ; Thus spake King Piyadasi, beloved of the gods. There never was in past times a system of despatch of work and of hearing of reports at all moments, This is what I have done. At all moments, during meals, during repose, in the inner apartments, in the secret chamber, in my res treat, in the garden, —everywhere, officers entrusted with information about the affairs of my people come to me, and I despatch the concerns relating . tomy people. I myself with my own mouth issue instructions which the ministers of religion impart to the people, Thus I have directed that wherever there isa division, a quarrel, in the assembly of the clergy, it should always be immediately reported to me, For there cannot be too much activity employed in the administration of justice. Itis my duty to procure by my instructions the good of the public; and in incessant activity and the proper administration of justice lies the root of public good, and nothing is more efficacious than this. All my endeavours have but thas one object, —te pay this debt due to my people! I render them as happy as possible here below, may they obtain happiness hereafter in heaven! It is with this object that I have caused this Edict to be engrav- ed, may it endure long! And may my sons and my grandsons and my great-grandsons follow my example for the public good, This great object requires the utmost endeavour, EDICT VII. The Kitg: Piyadasi beloved of the gods, ardently desires that all sects may live (unmolested) in all places, All of them equally propose the CHAP 1] ASOKA AND HIS EDICTS. II subjection of the senses and the purification of the soul; but man is fickle in his attachments, They thus practise but imperfectly what they profess $ and those who do not bestow ample gifts may yet possess a control over their senses, purity of soul; and gratitude and fidelity in their affections ; and this is commendable. EDICT VIII. In past times kings went ouf for pastimes. Hunting and other amuse ments of the kind were their pastimes here below. I, King Piyadasi, beloved of the gods, obtained true intelligence ten years after my anoint- ment, These, then, ate my pastimes ;—visits and gifts to Brahmans and Srémans, visits to aged men, the distribution of money, visits to the people of the empire, their religious instruction, and consultations on religious subjects, It is thus that the King Piyadasi, beloved of the gods, enjoys the pleasure derived from his virtuous acts. EDICT Ix, Thus spake King Piyadasi, beloved of the gods, Men perform various observances in illness, at the marriage of a son or a daughter, at the birth of a child, and at the time of proceeding on a journey. On these and similar occasions men follow various practices. But these numerous and diverse practices observed by most people are valueless and vain. It is customary, however, to observe such practices, although they produce no fruit. But the practice of religion on the contrary is meritorious in the highest degree. Regard for slaves and servants, and respect for relations and teachers are meritorious; tenderness towards living beings, and alms to Brahmans. and Sramans are meritorious. I call these and Similar virtuous acts the practice of religion.