Image title: Edicts of Ashoka

English Text:

Edicts of Ashoka (3rd century B.)—Cast of Inscribed Rock, Girnar (Gujarat)

The Emperor Ashoka (272-232 B.C.) dedicated himself to the service of man and beast within and beyond his vast dominion and strove to elevate the social and moral outlook of his subjects. His edicts (Dhamma lipi) incised on pillars and rocks, in both condensed and elaborate versions are found all over the Indian sub-continent, from Shahbazgarhi now in Pakistan to Lauriya Nandangarh ih Bihar and from Girnar in Gujarat to Dhauli in Orissa and further south up to Yerragudi in Andhra Pradesh.
The Girnar edicts represented here by a metal cast of the inscribed rock are fourteen in number, like those found at Yerragudi, Kalsi, Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra.

1. No living being may be slaughtered for sacrifice.

2. In and outside his dominions, Priyadarshi Ashoka has arranged for the medical treatment of man and beast.

3. Priyadarshi Ashoka ordered tours by his officers every five years to inspect and preach Dhamma (moral and social code of conduct) in his dominions, in addition to their regular duties and to teach his people to obey parents, be liberal to friends, relatives, Brahmanas and Sramanas (Monks), to abstain from killing animals.

4. Priyadarshi promptes Dhamma and expects his descendants like-wise to continue to promote it.

5. Dhamma Mahamatras have been appointed for establishing and promoting Dhamma in his land and even among the Yavanas, Kambojas, Gandharas, Rashtrikas and others.

6. Reports of affairs in his kingdom could be brought to his notice anytime, as he considered it his duty constantly and speedily to attend to the welfare of his subjects.

7. Priyadarshi wishes that all religious sects in his dominions should live in peace and amity and stresses self-control and purity of mind.

8. Priyadarshi who visited Sambodhi (Bodh Gaya, Bihar) started on pilgrimage of Dhamma making gifts to Brahmanas and Sramanas, contacting the people of the countryside and exhorting them to follow the path of Dhamma.

9. Ceremonies associated with Dhamma produce great results. These are courtesy to slaves and servants, reverance to elders, restraint and liberality to Brahmanas and Sranamas. By this practice heaven is won.

10. Priyadarshi does not consider glory in this life or fame after death as of any consequence except the glory of his being able to induce his people to practice Dhaтта.

11. There is no gift like the efft of Dhamma, there is no distribution like the distribution of Dhamma and no kinship like the kinship of Dhamma.

12. The growth of Dhamma is by the restraint of speech which means no praise of one's own faith or disparagement of another.

13. The conquest of Kalinga resulting in unprecedented slaughter and carrying away of captives brought remorse to Priyadarshi. He was therefore deter-mined for conquest through Dhamma.

14. This record relating to Dhamma has been inscribed in abridged or expanded form, so that people may act accordingly.

Original Text (not proofread):

सम्राट अशोक की राज-घोषणायें— (तीसरी शताब्दी ई.पू.)—गिरनार (गुजरात) के शिलालेखों की प्रतिकृति

सम्राट अशोक (272-232 ई.पू.) ने अपने विशाल साम्राज्य के अंदर और बाहर (विदेशों में) मानव और पशुओं की सेवा के लिए अपना जीवन समर्पित कर दिया था। उनकी राज-घोषणायें संक्षिप्त और विस्तृत विवरणों के साथ चट्टानों और स्तम्भों पर उत्कीर्ण समस्त विशाल देश में अर्थात् वर्तमान पाकिस्तान के शाहबाजगढ़ी से लेकर बिहार में लौरिया नंदनगढ़ तक, गुजरात में गिरनार से लेकर उड़ीसा में घौली तक तथा सुदूर दक्षिण में आंध्रप्रदेश में एरागुडी तक पायी जाती हैं।
गिरनार (गुजरात) के शिलालेखों में सम्राट अशोक की चौदह 'राज-घोषणायें खुदी हुई हैं, जिनकी भाषा प्राकृत और लिपि ब्राह्मी (भारत की सबसे प्राचीन पढ़ी गई लिपि) है। उन्हीं चौदह राज-घोषणाओं का सारांश नीचे दिया गया है :-

1. जीव-हत्या नहीं करनी चाहिए।

2. अपने साम्राज्य तथा पड़ोसी राज्यों में अशोक ने जन कल्याण हेतु औषधि उगाने, कुएँ खुदवाने तथा मागों पर छायादार वृक्ष लगवाने का कार्य किया।

3. उच्च अधिकारियों को आदेश दिया कि वे अपने दैनिक कार्यों के अलावा जनता के बीच जाकर उन्हें धर्म (नैतिक एवं सामाजिक कर्तव्य) की शिक्षा दें, जिससे लोग अपने माता-पिता की आज्ञा मानें तथा रिश्तेदारों, मित्रों, ब्राह्मणों व श्रमणों के साथ अच्छा व्यवहार करें।

4. अशोक ने अपने वंशजों से भी मानव धर्म की सेवा करने का अनुरोध किया।

5. धर्म वृद्धि के लिए 'धर्म-महामात्र' नामक अधिकारियों की देश भर में तथा यवन, कंबोज, गंधार, राष्ट्रिक तथा अन्य देशों में नियुक्ति की गई।

6. ऐसी व्यवस्था की गई जिससे राज-कार्य से संबद्ध सूचनायें राजा को हर समय दी जा सकें।

7. सभी धर्मिक-संप्रदायों को परस्पर सहनशीलता संयम तथा भावशुद्धि रखनी चाहिए।

8. विहार-यात्रा के स्थान पर धर्मयात्रायें करनी चाहिए जिससे आम लोग मानव-धर्म का अनुसरण करने के लिए प्रेरित हों।

9. सामाजिक उत्सवों के स्थान पर धर्म से संबद्ध अनुष्ठान लाभकारी होते हैं।

10. अशोक ने अपने यश एवं कीर्ति को बताने के बजाय आम जनता को धर्म के पालन पर जोर दिया।

11. धर्म-दान व धर्म-संबंध से बढ़कर कुछ नहीं हैं। धर्म के पालन से इस लोक और परलोक में पुण्य की प्राप्ति होती है।

12. सभी धार्मिक संप्रदायों का सम्मान करना चाहिए। एक दूसरे के संप्रदाय की निन्दा छोड़कर सभी की उन्नति की कामना करनी चाहिए।

13. कलिंग विजय में नर-संहार तथा प्राण-हानि पर अशोक को बहुत दुःख हुआ। उनके अनुसार धर्म-विजय ही वास्तविक विजय है।

14. उपसंहार लेख में बताया गया कि इन अभिलेखों में कुछ मूल बातें संक्षेप में तथा कुछ विस्तार से लिखवायी गई। कुछ बातों को मधुर (महत्त्वपूर्ण) होने के कारण दोहराया गया, जिससे जनता उनका पालन करे।

Transcription:

samrāṭa aśoka kī rāja-ghoṣaṇāyeṃ— (tīsarī śatābdī ī.pū.)—giranāra (gujarāta) ke śilālekhoṃ kī pratikṛti

samrāṭa aśoka (272-232 ī.pū.) ne apane viśāla sāmrājya ke aṃdara aura bāhara (videśoṃ meṃ) mānava aura paśuoṃ kī sevā ke lie apanā jīvana samarpita kara diyā thā| unakī rāja-ghoṣaṇāyeṃ saṃkṣipta aura vistṛta vivaraṇoṃ ke sātha caṭṭānoṃ aura stambhoṃ para utkīrṇa samasta viśāla deśa meṃ arthāt vartamāna pākistāna ke śāhabājagaḍha़ी se lekara bihāra meṃ lauriyā naṃdanagaḍha़ taka, gujarāta meṃ giranāra se lekara uḍa़ीsā meṃ ghaulī taka tathā sudūra dakṣiṇa meṃ āṃdhrapradeśa meṃ erāguḍī taka pāyī jātī haiṃ|
giranāra (gujarāta) ke śilālekhoṃ meṃ samrāṭa aśoka kī caudaha 'rāja-ghoṣaṇāyeṃ khudī huī haiṃ, jinakī bhāṣā prākṛta aura lipi brāhmī (bhārata kī sabase prācīna paḍha़ी gaī lipi) hai| unhīṃ caudaha rāja-ghoṣaṇāoṃ kā sārāṃśa nīce diyā gayā hai :-

1. jīva-hatyā nahīṃ karanī cāhie|

2. apane sāmrājya tathā paḍa़ोsī rājyoṃ meṃ aśoka ne jana kalyāṇa hetu auṣadhi ugāne, kueṃ khudavāne tathā māgoṃ para chāyādāra vṛkṣa lagavāne kā kārya kiyā|

3. ucca adhikāriyoṃ ko ādeśa diyā ki ve apane dainika kāryoṃ ke alāvā janatā ke bīca jākara unheṃ dharma (naitika evaṃ sāmājika kartavya) kī śikṣā deṃ, jisase loga apane mātā-pitā kī ājñā māneṃ tathā riśtedāroṃ, mitroṃ, brāhmaṇoṃ va śramaṇoṃ ke sātha acchā vyavahāra kareṃ|

4. aśoka ne apane vaṃśajoṃ se bhī mānava dharma kī sevā karane kā anurodha kiyā|

5. dharma vṛddhi ke lie 'dharma-mahāmātra' nāmaka adhikāriyoṃ kī deśa bhara meṃ tathā yavana, kaṃboja, gaṃdhāra, rāṣṭrika tathā anya deśoṃ meṃ niyukti kī gaī|

6. aisī vyavasthā kī gaī jisase rāja-kārya se saṃbaddha sūcanāyeṃ rājā ko hara samaya dī jā sakeṃ|

7. sabhī dharmika-saṃpradāyoṃ ko paraspara sahanaśīlatā saṃyama tathā bhāvaśuddhi rakhanī cāhie|

8. vihāra-yātrā ke sthāna para dharmayātrāyeṃ karanī cāhie jisase āma loga mānava-dharma kā anusaraṇa karane ke lie prerita hoṃ|

9. sāmājika utsavoṃ ke sthāna para dharma se saṃbaddha anuṣṭhāna lābhakārī hote haiṃ|

10. aśoka ne apane yaśa evaṃ kīrti ko batāne ke bajāya āma janatā ko dharma ke pālana para jora diyā|

11. dharma-dāna va dharma-saṃbaṃdha se baḍha़kara kucha nahīṃ haiṃ| dharma ke pālana se isa loka aura paraloka meṃ puṇya kī prāpti hotī hai|

12. sabhī dhārmika saṃpradāyoṃ kā sammāna karanā cāhie| eka dūsare ke saṃpradāya kī nindā choḍa़kara sabhī kī unnati kī kāmanā karanī cāhie|

13. kaliṃga vijaya meṃ nara-saṃhāra tathā prāṇa-hāni para aśoka ko bahuta duḥkha huā| unake anusāra dharma-vijaya hī vāstavika vijaya hai|

14. upasaṃhāra lekha meṃ batāyā gayā ki ina abhilekhoṃ meṃ kucha mūla bāteṃ saṃkṣepa meṃ tathā kucha vistāra se likhavāyī gaī| kucha bātoṃ ko madhura (mahattvapūrṇa) hone ke kāraṇa doharāyā gayā, jisase janatā unakā pālana kare|

Transcription:

samrata ashoka ki raja-ghoshanayem— (tisari shatabdi i.pu.)—giranara (gujarata) ke shilalekhom ki pratikriti

samrata ashoka (272-232 i.pu.) ne apane vishala samrajya ke amdara aura bahara (videshom mem) manava aura pashuom ki seva ke lie apana jivana samarpita kara diya tha| unaki raja-ghoshanayem samkshipta aura vistrita vivaranom ke satha cattanom aura stambhom para utkirna samasta vishala desha mem arthat vartamana pakistana ke shahabajagadha़ी se lekara bihara mem lauriya namdanagadha़ taka, gujarata mem giranara se lekara uda़ीsa mem ghauli taka tatha sudura dakshina mem amdhrapradesha mem eragudi taka payi jati haim|
giranara (gujarata) ke shilalekhom mem samrata ashoka ki caudaha 'raja-ghoshanayem khudi hui haim, jinaki bhasha prakrita aura lipi brahmi (bharata ki sabase pracina padha़ी gai lipi) hai| unhim caudaha raja-ghoshanaom ka saramsha nice diya gaya hai :-

1. jiva-hatya nahim karani cahie|

2. apane samrajya tatha pada़ोsi rajyom mem ashoka ne jana kalyana hetu aushadhi ugane, kuem khudavane tatha magom para chayadara vriksha lagavane ka karya kiya|

3. ucca adhikariyom ko adesha diya ki ve apane dainika karyom ke alava janata ke bica jakara unhem dharma (naitika evam samajika kartavya) ki shiksha dem, jisase loga apane mata-pita ki ajna manem tatha rishtedarom, mitrom, brahmanom va shramanom ke satha accha vyavahara karem|

4. ashoka ne apane vamshajom se bhi manava dharma ki seva karane ka anurodha kiya|

5. dharma vriddhi ke lie 'dharma-mahamatra' namaka adhikariyom ki desha bhara mem tatha yavana, kamboja, gamdhara, rashtrika tatha anya deshom mem niyukti ki gai|

6. aisi vyavastha ki gai jisase raja-karya se sambaddha sucanayem raja ko hara samaya di ja sakem|

7. sabhi dharmika-sampradayom ko paraspara sahanashilata samyama tatha bhavashuddhi rakhani cahie|

8. vihara-yatra ke sthana para dharmayatrayem karani cahie jisase ama loga manava-dharma ka anusarana karane ke lie prerita hom|

9. samajika utsavom ke sthana para dharma se sambaddha anushthana labhakari hote haim|

10. ashoka ne apane yasha evam kirti ko batane ke bajaya ama janata ko dharma ke palana para jora diya|

11. dharma-dana va dharma-sambamdha se badha़kara kucha nahim haim| dharma ke palana se isa loka aura paraloka mem punya ki prapti hoti hai|

12. sabhi dharmika sampradayom ka sammana karana cahie| eka dusare ke sampradaya ki ninda choda़kara sabhi ki unnati ki kamana karani cahie|

13. kalimga vijaya mem nara-samhara tatha prana-hani para ashoka ko bahuta duhkha hua| unake anusara dharma-vijaya hi vastavika vijaya hai|

14. upasamhara lekha mem bataya gaya ki ina abhilekhom mem kucha mula batem samkshepa mem tatha kucha vistara se likhavayi gai| kucha batom ko madhura (mahattvapurna) hone ke karana doharaya gaya, jisase janata unaka palana kare|

Automated translation (not verified):

Emperor Ashoka's Proclamations - (3rd Century BC)—Facsimile of Girnar (Gujarat) rock edicts

Emperor Ashoka (272-232 BC) devoted his life to the service of human beings and animals within and outside his vast empire. His proclamations, with brief and detailed descriptions, are found engraved on rocks and pillars all over the vast country, that is, from Shahbazgarhi in present-day Pakistan to Lauria Nandangarh in Bihar, from Girnar in Gujarat to Ghauli in Orissa and in the far south to Eragudi in Andhra Pradesh.

Fourteen 'Royal Proclamations' of Emperor Ashoka are engraved in the Girnar (Gujarat) rock edicts, whose language is Prakrit and script is Brahmi (the oldest read script of India). The summary of those fourteen royal edicts is given below:-

1. One should not kill any living being.

2. In his empire and neighbouring states, Ashoka cultivated medicinal plants, dug wells and planted shady trees on the roads for the welfare of the people.

3. He ordered the high officials to go among the people and teach them Dharma (moral and social duties) apart from their daily chores, so that people obey their parents and behave well with relatives, friends, Brahmins and Shramanas.

4. Ashoka also requested his descendants to serve the Dharma of humanity.

5. For the growth of Dharma, officials called 'Dharma-Mahamatra' were appointed across the country and in Yavana, Kamboj, Gandhara, Rashtriya and other countries.

6. Such arrangements were made so that information related to the state affairs could be given to the king at all times.

7. All religious sects should have mutual tolerance, restraint and purity of feelings.

8. Instead of Vihar Yatra, Dharm Yatras should be undertaken so that common people are inspired to follow the religion of humanity.

9. Instead of social festivals, rituals related to religion are beneficial.

10. Instead of telling about his fame and glory, Ashoka stressed on the common people to follow religion.

11. There is nothing better than Dharma-Daan and Dharma-Sambandh. By following Dharma, one attains virtue in this world and the next.

12. All religious sects should be respected. One should wish for the progress of all, leaving aside the criticism of each other's sect.

13. Ashoka was very saddened by the massacre and loss of life in Kalinga Vijay. According to him, Dharma Vijay is the real victory.

14. In the concluding article, it was told that in these inscriptions, some basic things were written briefly and some in detail. Some things were repeated because they were sweet (important), so that the public follows them.

Gallery information:

These photographs depict the objects, sculptures and galleries outside and inside the main building of the National Museum in New Delhi (India) not further classified. The National Museum in New Delhi, founded in 1949, is one of India's largest museums, located on Janpath. Overseen by India's Ministry of Culture, it showcases over 200,000 artifacts reflecting 5,000 years of history.