Major Rock Edict

Jaugada

Major Rock Edict VIII (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  . . . . . . . . . [v]i[y]ā [a]ṁnāni ca e[d]i . . . . . . . . . [m]āni huvaṁti naṁ (C) se Devānaṁpiye
2 [Piya] . . . . . . . . [dasa] . . . . . . . . . [tā] (E) [ta]tesa hoti [sa] . . . . . . . . . ca dāne ca vuḍhānaṁ dasane ca
3 hilaṁna-paṭiv[i]dh[ā]ne [ca] . . . . . . . . . [dha]ṁma-p[al]i[puch]ā . . . . . . . . . ilāme hoti De[v]ānampiyasa
4 Piyadasine lājine bhāge [a] . . .

Translation

(A) In times past, kings used to set out on so-called pleasure-tours.
(B) On these (tours) hunting and other such pleasures were (enjoyed).
(C) But when king Devānaṁpriya Priyadarśin had been anointed ten years, he went out to Saṁbodhi.
(D) Therefore tours of morality (were undertaken) here.
(E) On these (tours) the following takes place, (viz.) visiting Śramaṇas and Brāhmaṇas and making gifts (to them), visiting the aged and supporting (them) with gold, visiting the people of the country, instructing (them) in morality, and questioning (them) about morality, as suitable for this (occasion).
(F) This second period (of the reign) of king Devānaṁpriya Priyadarśin becomes a pleasure in a higher degree.