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MAY, 1391. ]
THE INSCRIPTIONS OF PIYADASI.
165
TRANSLATION. (In translating, I neglect the peculiarities of Bairât. For Sahasaram and Råpnâth, I print the translations of the two texts in parallel columns, from the point where they diverge, too decidedly, from each other.)
Thus saith the [King] dear unto the Dêvas : – During two years and a half was I an upisala (Baddhist layman), and did not display great zeal. A year has passed since I visited the Samgha (the monastic community). (R adds : - and I displayed great zeal]. During this period, the men who were the real gods of Jambudvipa have been reduced to be no longer really the gods. [R. : - Those who at that time were the real gods of Jambudvipa, are now reduced to be really so no longer). Now that is the result of my zeal ; that result cannot be attained by might alone [R. omits this last word]. The most humble can, by displaying zeal, gain heaven, high though it be. It is with this aim that these instructions are delivered : that all, humble or great, should display zeal; that the foreign nations themselves should be taught (by my proclamations), and that this zeal should be lasting. Then will arise a [religious progress, a grand progress, an infinite progress. SAHASARAM.
RUPNATH. It is by the missionary that this teaching Have these things engraved on mountains ; is spread abroad. Two hundred and fifty-six and in that place where there may be found men have been sent forth on missions, 256. & pillar of stone, have them engraved upon Have ye these things engraved on mountains; the pillar. And with these instructions, which and in those places where there are pillars of will be to you as a viaticam, set ye forth on stone have them engraved there also.
your mission to all the world, so far as ye will find means of existence. It is through the missionary that my teaching is spread abroad. There have been 256 settings forth of missionaries.
3. THE EDICT OF BHABRA. We know that this edict was discovered in the same locality (Bairât) as that in which was found the third version of the preceding edict. If I adhere to the name of Bhabra, I do so because that name is already sanctioned by long use, and because it prevents any confusion arising regarding the two inscriptions found in the same neighbourhood. To avoid a useless multiplication of divisions, I include it in the present chapter, although, strictly speaking, it is not engraved on a rock in the same sense as the preceding ones. It is engraved on a small detached block of granite, which it was found easy to transport to Calcutta, where it is now preserved. The most trustworthy reproduction of the stone is that which has been given in the Journal Asiatique (1887, Vol. I. pp. 498 and ff.) from a rubbing of Dr. Burgess, together with some fragments of a rubbing previously sent to me by my learned friend and colleague, Dr. Hoernle. On this facsimile the following reading and commentary are based.
TEXT. Kittoe, J. A. S. B. 1840, pp. 616 and ff.; Burnouf, Lotus, pp. 710 and ff.; Kern, Jaartelling, &c. pp. 32 and ff.; Wilson, J.R.A.S. XVI pp. 357 and ff. 1 Piyadasi (a)ja magadhań sangha abhivadanam Ahá apabad hatař cha
phâsuvihálatam chå [.] 2 vidite vê bharatê avataké hama budhasi dhammasi sanghabiti galavê cham pasade
cha [1] ê kê chi bhaktê 3 bhagavata budhena bhasite savề sê sabhabitế và ê chu khô bhaintê hamiyaye digây
hêvam sedharme
