Major Rock Edict

Ashokan Site

Major Rock Edict III (Shahbazgarhi Version)

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

Overview

The Inscription

Original Text

5 (A) Devanaṁpriyo Priyadraśi raja ahati (B) badaya-vaṣabh[i]si[tena] . . . . . [a]ṇapi[taṁ] (C) savatra ma[a]
6 vijite yuta rajuko pradeśi[ka paṁca]ṣu paṁcaṣu 5 vaṣeṣu anusaṁyanaṁ nik[r]amatu etisa vo karaṇa imisa dhraṁmanuśastiye [tha] añaye pi kraṁmaye (D) sadhu mata-pitushu suśrusha mitra-saṁst[u]ta-ñatikanaṁ bramaṇa-[śra]maṇa[naṁ] . . . . . . . [pra]ṇanaṁ [anaram]bho sadhu
7 apa-vayata apa-bhaṁḍata sadhu (E) pari [pi] yutani [ga]ṇanasi aṇapeśaṁti hetuto ca vaṁñanato 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 Rajuka, (and) the Prādesika shall set out on a complete tour (throughout their charges) every five — 5 — years for this very purpose, (viz.) for the following instruction in morality as well as for other business.
(D) ‘Meritorious is obedience to mother and father. [Liberality] to friends, acquaintances, and relatives, to Brāhmaṇas and Śramaṇas [is meritorious]. Abstention from killing animals is meritorious. Moderation in expenditure (and) moderation in possessions are meritorious.’
(E) The councils (of Mahāmātras) also shall order the Yuktas to register (these rules) both with (the addition of) reasons and according to the letter.