Major Rock Edict

Jaugada

Major Rock Edict III (Jaugada Version)

Location: Ashokan inscription site — Jaugada., Odisha, India
Date: c. 260–250 BCE
Script: Brahmi
Language: Prakrit
Type: Major Rock Edict
Coordinates: 19.5220° N, 84.8300° E

Overview

Jaugada carries Major Rock Edicts comparable to Dhauli, marking Ashokan administration in ancient Kalinga.

Location

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The Inscription

Original Text

1 (A) Devā[na]ṁpiye Piyadasī lājā hevaṁ āhā (B) duvādasa-vasābhisitena me iyaṁ [ā] . . . . . . . . ca pād[e]sike ca
2 paṁcasu paṁcasu vasesu anusayānaṁ nikhamāvū athā aṁnāye pi kaṁma[n]e . . . . . . . . [s]ā mita-saṁthute[s] . . .
3 nātisu c[a] baṁbhana-samanehi sādhu dāne jīvesu [a]nālaṁbhe sādhu . . . . . . . . [y]i . . . .
4 hetute ca viyaṁjanate ca

Translation

(A) King Devānaṁpriya Priyadarśin speaks thus.
(B) (When I had been) anointed twelve years, the following was ordered by me.
(C) [Everywhere] in my dominions the Yuktas, the Lajuka, and the Prādeśika shall set out on a complete tour (throughout their charges) every five years, just as for other business, even so for the following instruction in morality.
(D) ‘Meritorious is obedience to mother and father, to friends and acquaintances, and to relatives. Liberality to Brāhmaṇas and Śramaṇas is meritorious. Abstention from killing animals is meritorious. Moderation in expenditure (and) moderation in possessions are meritorious.’
(E) And the council (of Mahāmātras) also shall order the Yuktas to register (these rules) both with (the addition of) reasons and according to the letter.