The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c16.s3.t2.24

v2.c16.s3.t2.24

Edict No. VIII:—“In ancient times festivals for the amusement of sovereigns consisted of gambling, hunting the deer (or antelope), and other exhilarating pleasures of the same nature. But the heaven-beloved king Piyadasi, having attained the tenth year of his anointment, for the happiness of the wise bath a festival of religion (been substituted) :—and this same consists in visits to Brahmans and Sramans, and in alms-giving; and in visits to the reverend and aged; and the liberal distribution of gold, the contemplation of the Universe and its inhabitants, obeying the precepts of religion, and settling religion before all other things, are expedients (he employs for amusement), and these will become an enjoyment without alloy to the heaven-beloved king Piyadasi in another existence.”