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470
EPIGRAPHIA INDICA.
to accomplish, whether for the low or for the great, except by the greatest.exertion and by the renourcing everything. But it is (most difficult] for the great.
EDICT XI. King Priyadarsin, beloved of the gods, speaks thus:-"There is no such gift as the almsgiving of the law, nor anything like the intimacy through the law, the charitable gift of the law and the connection through the law. This law includes the good treatment of slaves and servants, obedience towards parents, liberality towards friends, acquaintances, relatives, ascetics and Brahmans, and the non-destruction of living creatures. Therefore a father, or a son, or a brother, or a master, or a friend and acquaintance, or even a neighbour ought to give advice on this matter, saying :-" This is meritorious; this ought to be done." He who acts thus both gains this world and produces for himself endless merit in the next through this almsgiving of the sacred law.
EDICT XII. King Priyadarsin, beloved of the gods, honours men of all creeds, both ascetics and householders, by gifts and honours of various kinds. But the Beloved of the gods thinks not so much of gifts and honours as of what that an increase of essentials may take place among men of all creeds. But the increase of essentials may happen in various ways. But this is its root, viz. guarding one's speech-how so? "Honouring one's own creed and blaming other creeds shall not be in unimportant points, or it shall be moderate with respect to this or that important point." But other creeds must even be honoured for this or that reason. Acting thus, one exalts one's creed and benefits also the other creeds. Act. ing differently, one hurts one's own creed and injures the other creeds. How so? For he who honours his own creed and blames all other creeds out of reverence for his own creed thinking "I promote thereby the interests of my own creed," however, acting thus, injures his own creed exceedingly. Hence self-restraint alone is commendable. How so? "They shall hear each other's law and love to hear it.” 17 For this is the desire of the Beloved of the gods. What ?—" that men of all creeds shall have heard much and shall possess holy doctrines. And to those who adhere to this or that faith it must be said: "The Beloved of the gods thinks not so much of gifts and honours as of what ?_"that an increase of essentials may take place among men of all creeds and a large one." For this end are working the Overseers of the Sacred Law, the Superintendents of women, the Vachabhamikas and other bodies of officials. And this is its result, viz. the exaltation of one's own creed and the promotion of the interests of the law.
EDICT XIII. King Priyadarsin, beloved of the gods, being anointed eight years, conquered the country of Kalinga. One hundred and fifty thousand souls were carried away thence, one
» Compare Ittivuttaka, p. 98 (Windisch). where most of the terms used in this Edict occur, as well as the general views.
The reading of the other three versions samavdya "concord, harmony" is better than saya mo "self-restraint," i.e. with respect to opponents.
Or, possibly, (they shall obey (it as far as it is worthy to le obeyed).]
13 As the Mansehra version offers Trarhahú mil, the term may mean either "Oreracers of the latrines," or ju. bhumiku) - Overseers of cowpeus, "see Kámasúru, p. 290, 1. 1 (Durgapraså la).
