gandhari / Asokan Edicts
EDICT I
http://gandhari.org/a_inscriptions.php?PHPSESSID=398d0f4b6ceeb2d4dc6d4b40d74d58d5
1(A) [aya] dhramadivi Devanapriasa raño likhapitu (B) hida no ki c[i] jive ara[bhitu p]rayuhotave (C) no pi c[a] sama[ja] kaṭava (D) ba[hu]ka [hi] doṣa sa[maya]spi Devaṇapriy[e] Priadraśi ray[a da]khati
2. (E) [a]sti pi cu ekatia samaye sasumate Devanapiasa Priadraśisa raño (F) pura mahana[sas]i [Devana]pr[i]asa Priadraśisa raño anudivaso bahuni pra[ṇa]śatasahasani [arabhi]yis[u] supaṭ́hay[e]1 (G) s[o i]dani yada aya
3. dhramadipi likhita tada trayo vo praṇa haṃñaṃt[i] majura duv[i] 2 mrugo 1 so pi mrugo no dhruva[ṃ] (H) eta pi praṇa trayo paca na arabhiśaṃti
Source: Hultzsch 1925
Footnotes
1 Konow; Hultzsch: supaṭhay[e]
EDICT I
Translation by Prinsep
"The following edict of religion is promulgated by the heaven-beloved king Piyadasi:
"'In this place the putting to death of anything whatever that hath life, either for the benefit of the puja, or in convivial meetings, shall not be done. Much cruelty of this nature occurs in such assemblies. The heaven- beloved king Piyadasi is (as it were) a father (to his people). Uniformity of worship is wise and proper for the congregation of the heaven- beloved Piyadasi Raja.
"'Formerly, in the great refectory and temple of the heaven-beloved king Piyadasi, daily were many hundred thousand animals sacrificed for the sake of meat food. So even at this day while this religious edict is under promulgation, from the sacrifice of animals for the sake of food, some two are killed, or one is killed; but now the joyful chorus resounds again and again - that henceforward not a single animal shall be put to death.'"
Translation by Wilson
"This is the edict of the beloved of the gods Raja Priyadasi
"'The putting to death of animals is to be entirely discontinued, and no convivial meeting is to be held; for the beloved of the gods, the Raja Priyadasi, remarks many faults in such assemblies. There is but one assembly, indeed, which is approved of by the Raja Priyadasi, the beloved of the gods, which is that of the great kitchen of Raja Priyadasi, the beloved of the gods. Every day hundreds of thousands of animals have been there slaughtered for virtuous purposes, but now, although this pious edict is proclaimed that animals may be killed for good purposes, and such is the practice, yet as the practice is not determined, these presents are proclaimed that hereafter they shall not be killed.'"
EDICT II
3(A) sav[r]atra vijite [De]va[naṃ]priyasa Priyadraśisa y[e] ca [a]ṃta yatha [Coḍa]
4. Paṃḍiya Satiyaputro Keraḍaputro Taṃbapaṃṇi Aṃtiyo[k]o nama Yonaraja ye ca aṃñe tasa Aṃtiyokasa samaṃta rajano savratra Devanaṃpriyasa Priyadraśisa raño du[vi] 2 cik[i]sa [kr]i[ṭa] manuśacikisa (*ca)1 pa[śuc]ikisa [ca]
5. (B) [o]ṣa[ḍha]ni manuśopakani ca paśopakani ca yat[r]a yatra nasti savatra harapita ca vuta ca (C) kupa ca khanapita pratibh[o]gaye paśumanuśanaṃ
Source: Hultzsch 1925
EDICT II
Translation by Prinsep
"Everywhere within the conquered province of Raja Piyadasi, the beloved of the gods, as well as in the parts occupied by the faithful, such as Chola, Pida, Satiyaputra, and Ketalaputra, even as far as Tambapanni (Ceylon) ; and, moreover, within the dominions of ANTIOCHUS, the Greek (of which Antiochus' generals are the rulers), everywhere the heaven-beloved Raja Piyadasi's double system of medical aid is established- both medical aid for men, and medical aid for animals, together with the medicaments of all sorts, which are suitable for men, and suitable for animals. And wherever there is not (such provision), in all such places they are to be prepared, and to be planted: both root-drugs and herbs, wheresoever there is not ( a provision of them), in all such places shall they be deposited and planted.
"And in the public highways wells are to be dug, and trees to be planted, for the accommodation of men and animals."Translation by Wilson
"In all the subjugated (territories) of the king Priyadasi, the beloved of the gods, and also, in the bordering countries, as (Choda), Playa (or Paraya), Satyaputra, Keralaputra, Tambapani (it is proclaimed), and ANTIOCHUS by name the Yona (or Yavana) raja, and those princes, who are nearer to (or allied with) that monarch, universally (are apprised) that (two designs have been cherished by Priyadasi, one design) regarding men, and one relating to animals; and whatever herbs are useful to men or useful to animals wherever there are none, such have been everywhere caused to be conveyed and planted, (and roots and fruits wherever there are none, such have been everywhere conveyed and planted; and on the roads) wells have been caused to be dug, (and trees have been planted) for the respective enjoyment of animals and men."
EDICT III
5(A) Devanaṃpriyo Priyadraśi raja ahati (B) badayavaṣabh[i]si[tena] (*me iyaṃ)1 [a]ṇapi[taṃ] (C) savatra ma[a]
6. vijite yuta rajuko pradeśi[ka paṃca]ṣu paṃcaṣu 1 1 1 1 1 vaṣeṣu anusaṃyanaṃ nik[r]amatu etisa vo karaṇa imisa dhraṃmanuśastiye ⟨*ya⟩[tha] añaye pi kraṃmaye (D) sadhu matapituṣu suśruṣa mitrasaṃst[u]tañatikanaṃ bramaṇa[śra]maṇa[naṃ] (*sadhu dano)2 [pra]ṇanaṃ [anaraṃ]bho sadhu
7. apavayata apabhaṃḍata sadhu (E) pari⟨*ṣa⟩ [pi] yutani [ga]ṇanasi aṇapeśaṃti hetuto ca vaṃñanato ca
Source: Hultzsch 1925
EDICT III
Translation by Prinsep
"Thus spake the heaven-beloved king Piyadasi: 'By me, after the twelfth year of my anointment, this commandment is made. Everywhere in the conquered (provinces) among the faithful, whether (my own) subjects or foreigners, after every five years, let there, be (a public) humiliation for this express object, yea, for the confirmation of virtue and for the suppression of disgraceful acts.
"'Good and proper is dutiful service to mother and father; towards friends and kinsfolks, towards Brahmans and Sramans, excellent is charity: -prodigality and malicious slander are not good.'"
"'All this the leader of the congregation shall inculcate to the assembly, with (appropriate ) explanation and example'."Translation by Wilson
"King Priyadasi says: 'This was ordered by me when I had been twelve years inaugurated. In the conquered country, and among my own subjects as well as strangers, that every five years expiation should be undergone with this object, for the enforcement of such moral obligations as were declared by me to be good: such as duty to parents, (and protection of) friends and children : (relations,) Brahmans and Sramans:- good is liberality, good is non-in-jury of living creatures, and abstinence for prodigality and slander are good. Continuance in this course (the discharge of these duties) shall be commended both by explanation and by example.’"
