The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c16.s3.t1: Dr. Wilson's Translation
The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c16.s3.t1
- Language
- English
Dr. Wilson's Translation
v2.c16.s3.t1.1
Edict, No. I :—“This is the edict of the beloved of the gods, Rājā Priyadasi ; the putting to death of animals is to be entirely discontinued, and no convivial meeting is to be held, for the beloved of the gods, the Rājā Priyadasi, remarks many faults [**47**] in such assemblies. There is but one assembly, indeed, which is approved of by the Rājā Priyadasi, the beloved of the gods, which is that of the great kitchen of Rājā Priyadasi, the beloved of the gods ; every day hundreds of thousands of animals have been slaughtered for virtuous purposes, but now although this pious edict is proclaimed that animals may be killed for good purposes, and such is the practice, yet as the practice is not determined, these presents are proclaimed that hereafter they shall not be killed.”
v2.c16.s3.t1.2
Edict No. II :—“In all the subjugated (territories) of the king Priyadasi, the beloved of the gods, and also in the bordering countries, as (Choda), Palaya (or Paraya), Satyaputra, Keralaputra, Tambapani, (it is proclaimed), and Antiochus by name, the Yona (or Yavana) Rājā, and those princes who are near to (or alied with) that monarch, universally (are apprised) that (two designs have been cherished by Priyadasi : one design) regarding men, and one relating to animals ; and whatever herbs are useful to men or useful to animals, wherever there are none, such have been everywhere caused to be conveyed and planted, (and roots and fruits wherever there are none, such have been everywhere conveyed and planted ; and on the roads) wells have been caused to be dug, (and trees have been planted) for the respective enjoyment of animals and men.”
v2.c16.s3.t1.3
Edict No. III :—“King Priyadasi, This was ordered by me when I had been twelve years inaugurated in the conquered country, and among my own subjects as well as strangers, that every five years’ expiation should be undergone with this object, for the enforcement of such moral obligations as were declared by me to be good; such as duty to parents, (and protection of) friends, children, (relations, Brahmans and Sramans); good is liberality, good is non-injury of living creatures, and abstinence from prodigality and slander are good. Continuance in this course, (the discharge of these duties) shall be commanded both by explanation and example.”
v2.c16.s3.t1.4
Edict No. IV :—“During a past period of many centuries, there have prevailed destruction of life, injury of living beings, disrespect towards kindred, and irreverence towards Sramans [ 49 ] and Brahmans. But now, in conformity to moral duty, the pious proclamation of king Priyadasi, the beloved of the gods, is made by best of drum, in a manner never before performed for hundreds of years, with chariot and elephant processions, and fireworks, and other divine displays of the people exhibiting the ceremonies—(and this) for the promulgation of the law of king Priyadasi, &c, that non-destruction of life, non-injury to living beings, respect to relations, reverence of Brahmans and Sramans, and many other duties, do increase, and shall increase, and this moral law of the king Priyadasi, the sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons, of king Priyadasi shall maintain. Let the moral ordinance of king Priyadasi be stable as a mountain for the establishment of duty, for in these actions duty will be followed, as the law which directs ceremonial rites is not the observance of moral duties It were well for every ill-conducted person to be attentive to the object of the injunction. This is the edict (writing) of king Priyadasi. Let not any thought be entertained by the subject people of opposing the edict. This has been caused to be written by the king Priyadasi, in the twelfth year of his inauguration.”
v2.c16.s3.t1.5
Edict No. V :—“The beloved of the gods king Priyadasi thus proclaims: whoever perverts good to evil will derive evil from good, therefore much good has been done by me, and my sons, and grandsons, and others (will) conform to it for every age. So they who shall imitate them shall enjoy happiness, and those who cause the path to be abandoned shall suffer misfortune. The chief ministers of morality have for an unprecedently long time been tolerant of iniquity, therefore in the tenth year of the inauguration have ministers of morality been made, who are appointed for the purpose of presiding over morals among persons of all the religions for the sake of the augmentation of virtue, and for the happiness of the virtuous among the people of Kamboja, Gandhara, Naristaka, and Pitenika. They shall also be spread among the warriors, the Brahmans, the mendicants, the destitute, and others without any obstruction, for the happiness of the well-disposed in order to loosen the bonds of those who are bound, and liberate those who are confined, through the means of holy wisdom disseminated by [ 50 ] pious teachers, and they will proceed to the outer cities and fastnesses of my brother and sister, and wherever are any other of my kindred: and the ministers of morals, those who are appointed as superintendents of morals, shall, wherever the moral law is established, give encouragement to the charitable and those addicted to virtue. With this intent this edict is written, and let my people obey it.”
v2.c16.s3.t1.6
Edict No. VI :—“The beloved of the gods, king Priyadasi, thus declares:—‘An unprecedentedly long time has past since it has been the custom at all times, and in all affairs, to submit representations. Now it is established by me that whether at meals, in my palace, in the interior apartments, in discourse, in exchange of civility, in gardens, the officers appointed to make reports shall convey to me the objects of the people. I will always attend to the objects of the people, and whatever I declare verbally, whether punishment or reward, is further intrusted to the supervisors of morals (or eminent persons),—for that purpose let those who reside in the immediate vicinage even become informers at all times, and in all places, so it is ordained by me. The distribution of wealth which is to be made is designed by me for the benefit of all the world, for the distribution of wealth is the root of virtues. There is nothing more essential to the good of the world for which I am always labouring. Of the many being over whom I rule, I confer happiness in this world—in the next they may obtain Swarga. With this view, this moral edict has been written; may it long endure, and may my sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons after me, continue with still greater exertion to labour for universal good’.”
v2.c16.s3.t1.7
Edict No. VII:—“The beloved of the gods, the Rājā Priyadasi, desires that all unbelievers may everywhere dwell (unmolested) as they also wish for moral restraint and purity of disposition. For men are of various purposes and various desires, and they do injury to all or only to a part. Although, however, there should not be moral restraint or purity of disposition in [ **51** ] any one, yet whenever there is great liberality (or charity), gratitude will acknowledge merit even in those who were before that reputed vile.”
v2.c16.s3.t1.8
Edict No. VIII:—“In past times Kings were addicted to travelling about, to companions, to going abroad, to hunting and similar amusements, but Priyadasi, the beloved of the gods, having been ten years inaugurated, by him easily awakened, that moral festival is adopted, (which consists) in seeing and bestowing gifts on Brahmanas and Sramanas, in seeing and giving gold to elders, and overseeing the country and the people; the institution of moral laws and the investigation of morals; such are the devices for the removal of apprehension, and such are the different pursuits of the favourite of the gods, king Priyadasi.”
v2.c16.s3.t1.9
Edict No. IX:—“The beloved of the gods, Priyadasi Rājā, thus says : every man that is, celebrates various occasions of festivity; as on the removal of incumbrances, on invitations, on marriages, on the birth of a son, or on setting forth on a journey; on these and other occasions a man makes various rejoicings. The benevolent man, also, celebrates many and various kinds of pure and disinterrested festivities, and such rejoicing is to be practised. Such festivities are fruitless and vain, but the festivity that bears great fruits, is the festival of duty, such as the respect of the servant to his master; reverence for holy teachers is good, tenderness for living creatures is good, liberality to Brahmans and Sramans is good. These and other such acts constitute verily the festival of duty, and it is to be cherished as father by a son, a dependant by his master. This is good, this is the festival to be observed, for the establishment of this object virtuous donations are made, for there is no such donation or benevolence as the gift of duty, or the benevolence of duty, that(benevolence) is chaff, (which is contracted) with friend, companion, a kinsman, or an associate, and is to be reprehended. In such and such manner this is to be done, this is good; with these means let a man seek Swarga; this is to be done, by these means it is to be done, as by them Swarga has been gained.”
v2.c16.s3.t1.10
[52] Edict No. X:—“The beloved of the gods, the Prince Piyadasi does not esteem glory and fame as a great value, and besides for a long time it has been my fame and that of my people, that the observance of moral duty and the service of the virtuous should be practised, for this is to be done. This is the fame that the beloved of the gods, desires, and inasmuch as the beloved of the gods excels, (he holds) all such reputation as no real reputation, but such as may be that of the unrighteous, pain and chaff; for it may be acquired by crafty and unworthy persons, and by whatever further effort it is acquired, it is worthless and a source of pain.”