Major Rock Edict

Ashokan Site

Major Rock Edict I (Mansehra Version)

Major Rock Edict I (Mansehra Version)

Location
Ashokan site
Date
c. 260–250 BCE
Script
Kharosthi
Language
Prakrit
Type
Major Rock Edict
Coordinates
Coordinates pending

Overview

Major Rock Edict I (Mansehra Version)

Ashokan Site site view
Ashokan Site

The Inscription

Original Text

1 (A) ayi dhra[ma]-dip[i] Devanaṁ[priye]na Priya[draśina rajina li]khapita (B) hi[da] no kichi ji[ve] ara[bhitu] pra[johi]-
2 taviye (C) no pi [ca] samaj[e] kaṭaviye (D) bahu[ka] hi [doṣa samajasa Devanaṁpriye] Priyadraśi raja [da]kha[ti] (E) asti [pi cu]
3 [eka]tiya samaja sa[dhu]-mata Devanapriyasa Priyadraśi[sa] rajine (F) pura maha[nasa]si [Devana]pri[ya]sa Pri[yadra]śisa ra-
4 jine anudiva[sa   ba]huni praṇa-śa[ta]-sahas[r]ani [arabh]isu supa[thra]ye (G) s[e]......... [da] ayi dhrama-dipi likhi[ta] ta[da] ti[ni] y[eva] pra[ṇa]ni [ara]bh[iyaṁti] du[v]e [2] maju-
5 ra [e]k[e] m[r]ig[e] s[e] p[i cu] mrig[e] no dhruvaṁ (H) [e]tani pi cu [tini] praṇani paca no ara[bhi].....
Translation
(A)  This rescript on morality has been caused to be written by king Devanaṁ[priye]na Priya[draśina.
(B)  Here no living being must be killed and sacrificed.
(C)  And no festival meetings must be held
(D) For king Devanaṁpriye Priyadraśi sees much evil in festival meetings.
(E)  But there are also some festival meetings which are considered meritorious by king Devanapriyasa Priyadraśi
(F)  Formerly in the kitchen of king [Devana]pri[ya]sa Pri[yadra]śisa
(G) But now, when this edict on morality is written, then only three animals are being killed (daily), (viz) two – 2 – peacock (and) 1 deer, (but) even this deer not regularly.
(H) Even these three living creatures shall not be killed in future.