The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c16.s3.t1.4

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.”