Dhauli's rock edicts — including the special Kalinga edicts — stand near the battlefield that transformed Ashoka's rule.
Gallery
Inscriptions at this site
Major Rock Edict - III (Dhauli Version)
(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 Prādelśika shall set out on a complete tour (throughout their charges) every five years, j…
Major Rock Edict - IV (Dhauli Version)
(A) In times past, for many hundreds of years, there had ever been promoted the killing of animals and the hurting of living beings, discourtesy to relatives, (and) discourtesy to Śramaṇas and Brāhmaṇas. (B) But now, in consequence of the practice of morality on the part of king …
Major Rock Edict - V (Dhauli Version)
(A) King Devānaṁpriya Priyadarśin speaks thus. (B) It is difficult to perform virtuous deeds. (C) He [who starts performing] victorious deeds accomplishes something difficult. (D) Now, by me many virtuous deeds have been performed. (E) Therefore (among) my sons and grandsons, and…
Major Rock Edict - VI (Dhauli Version)
(A) King Devānaṁpriya Priyadarśin speaks thus. (B) In times past neither the disposal of affairs nor the submission of reports at all times did exist before. (C) But I have made (the following arrangement). (D) Reporters have to report to me the affairs of the people at any time …
Major Rock Edict - VII (Dhauli Version)
(A) King Devānaṁpriya Priyadarśin desires (that) all sects may reside everywhere. (B) For all these desire self-control and purity of mind. (C) And men possess various desires (and) various passions. (D) They will fulfil either the whole or (only) a portion (of their duties). (E)…
Major Rock Edict - VIII (Dhauli Version)
(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 Sambodhi. (D) Therefore tours of morality (were under…
Major Rock Edict - X (Dhauli Version)
(A) King Devānaṁpriya Priyadarśin does not think that either glory or fame [conveys much advantage, except whatever] glory or fame he desires (on account of his aim that) at the present time, and in the future, men may (be induced) by him to practise obedience to morality . . . .…
Major Rock Edict - XI (Dhauli Version)
(A) King Devānaṁpriya Priyadarśin speaks thus. (B) Men are practising various ceremonies during illness . . . . . . . . . at the marriage of a daughter, at the birth of a child, (and) when setting out on a journey; on these and other such (occasions) men [are practising] many cer…
Major Rock Edict - XIV (Dhauli Version)
(A) These rescripts on morality [have been caused] to be written by king Devānaṁpriya Priyadarśin . . . . . . . . . or of middle (size), or at full length. (B) For the whole was not suitable everywhere. (C) For (my) dominions are wide, and much has been written, [and I] shall cau…