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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[MARCH, 1881.
Translation. In the past there has prevailed for many ages the destruction of living things, violence towards the creatures, want of regard for relations, want of regard for Brahmans and Sra- maņas. But now king Piyadasi, dear to the gods, being faithful in the practice of religion, has made the noise of drums to resound [in such a way that it is) as the (very) sound of religion, pointing out to the people the processions of reliquaries, elephants, torches, and other heavenly spectacles. Thanks to the instruction in religion spread by king Piyadasi, dear to the gods, there now prevails, as it has not for many ages, respect for living creatures, gentleness towards beings, respect for relatives, respect for Brahmaņs and Sramans, obedience to father and mother, obedience to seniors (" obedience to seniors" wanting in the Khálsi copy). In this matter, as in many others, the practice of religion prevails, and king Piyadasi, dear to the gods, will continue to make it prevail [Kapurdigiri :
and this practice of religion, which king Piyadasi, dear to the gods, observes, shall contipne to prevail]. The sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons of king Piyadasi, dear to the I gods, shall make this practice of religion to prevail even to the end of the world; established [K. : living) in religion and virtue, they shall teach religion. For the teaching of religion is the most virtuous work, and there is no [real] practice of religion without virtue. Now the development, the success of that religious] concern is good. It is for this purpose that it has been engraved, in order that they may apply to the greatest good of this concern, and that they may not see in it [G: that there may not be seen in it) any decay (K: and that decay
More freely-"Now, says Piyadasi, that I practise the true law, my drum is indeed the drum of the law, for I make it resound in the holy solemnities where I show to my people elephants, sacred cars, the splendour of torch illuminations, spectacles quite divine" (p. 225).
Prinsep, a.s. p. 252ff.; Wilson, w. s. p. 182ff.; Lassen, W. 8. p. 237, n. 1, 3; p. 239, n. 3.
. The readings in these places differ from those shown in plate V. of Corpus Inscrip.
Khálsi reads-kayane dukale e adi kayandsd, &c.
Dhauli reads here --dhomwadhiye hitasukhdye cha dharmayatasa yobakambochagadh Alesu lathika pitenikesu, &. Khálsi,-dhonis maradhiye kitesukhdye vi dhamiyutasa tan yobamkambojangathdhalinam, &c.; and Kapurdi. giri, cha durmaradhiya hitsukhnya cha dharmayathaa yakamboyogandharanam rathikana pitinikanat, &e.
• Dhaali reads here--bambhaibhisasu ondthesu mahalokesu cha hitasukhiye, &c.; Jangada has only -b hanibhi. Khasi has, -bassbhanithisu anathesu vadhasu hidasuk
may not arise in it), king Piyadasi, dear to the gods, has caused this to be engraved in the thirteenth year of his consecration.
Fifth Edict." (") Devínampriyo piyadasi raja evam Ahao (7
kalamamo dukaram ye a... 'kalâņesa 80
dukaram karoti [.] (") ta maya bahu kalåņam katam[.] ta mama
puta cha potâ cha para cha tena ye me apachain ava samvatakapão anuvatisare
tatha (6) 80 sukataṁ kâ sati yo tu eta desam pihậpesatio
so dukataṁ kâsati(.) sukaraṁ hi papam [.]
atikậtam amtaram (9) na bhůtapurvamo dhammamahâmåtâ nama[.]
ta mayâ todasavåsâbhisitena dhammamahâmåtå kata [.) te savapå sandesa vya
pata dhamadhistânaya (0) .......... dharmayutasa cha yoņa
kambojagamdhârânam ristikapotenikânario
ye vâpi amñe aparâta bhatamayesu va () ........... 'sukhÁya dhammayntê
nam aparågodhảya vyâpatâ te bamdhana
badhasa satividhanaya () ......oja katábhikåresu va thairesu vâ
vyâ patate pâtalipute cha bahiresuo cha (")....... "ne vâpi ma añe ñấtikâ savata
vyâ patê te yo ayam dhammanisrito ti va ( .......... "dhammamahåmåtå.] etaya athầya ayam dhammalipi likhita[.]
Translation. Thus saith Piyadasi, the king dear to the gods: The practice of ] virtue is difficult; he who (deviates not) from virtue does something difficult. Now I have myself done many virtuous actions. Also those of my sons, of my grandsons, and afterwards those of my descendants, who, till the end of the kalpa, shall håye, &c.; and Kapardigiri,-- brahmanibheshu anathesu vatashu hetasukhaye.
10 Here D. has, -apalibodhaye mokhdye cha iyan am. bardha pajd. 1.. katábhikale ti va maholaketi và viy&pat se hida cha bAhilesu, &c.; Kh-apalibodhdye molhaye chá eyazh an ubasidha pajavati vi pajati vapi) katabhikale ti va mahalake ti vê viyapata te hida b&hilesu che, &c.; and K-panabodhaye mochavo drauaya ... pajati kitabhikari va mahalaka va viyopata ti cha babireshu, &c.
11 Here D. hoa, galeru gavesu sovesu olodhanesse udpi bhatanaris va bhagininorh va amnesu va natita, &c.; Kh,-nagalesu navesu holodhanesu bhatána cha nenh bhaginiya (bhaginina e vapi atana natike [k&] &c.; and K nagareshu sarveshu orodhanesh bhrtuna cha me pasuns cha ye vapi ane ñatika, &c.
19 D-yath dhasamadhithane w danasdynte o sarapathaviyanis dhani mayutasi vidpate ime dhamma. mahậmatAC.); Kb.-vå dinasayute tí ud ad majatachha mama dhashmayutasi viyapata te dhatomamshemts; and K-V viviu dharmadhitane ti u danasayuta a athi ? nati thata dharmayatasi. vara siyapata dhar. mamahamatra.
