First Engraving—This holy message engraving had been ordered by the favoured one of gods, Priyadarshi king Ashoka. Here (in my kingdom) no animal will be killed for religious rites and no social event (fair, celebration or meeting) shall be held in which animal sacrifice is offered because the favoured one of the gods sees many evils in this practice…but an Emperor has such events which is liked by the god’s favoured Priyadarshi.
Earlier in the royal kitchen of the favoured one of the gods, Priyadarshi king, thousands of animals were butchered just for soup. But now when this holy message is being engraved only three animals are being killed every day—two peacocks and a deer. But deer killing is not certain (depends on availability). In future these three will also be spared (from the killing).
Second Engraving : ….god’s favoured king Priyadarshi has arranged for two kinds of medicinal treatment—one for the humans and the other for the animals. Wherever whichever medicinal plants didn’t naturally grow there the needed herbal plants have been planted. Same has been done in the case of edible roots and the fruits. Wells have been sunk on the roadsides for the benefit of the humans and the animals. Trees have also been planted.
Third Engraving—The favoured one of gods, Priyadarshi king says 12 years after my coronation I ordered that in my kingdom officials called Yukta, Rajjuk and Pradeshik will for five years tour the land for this task of preaching the principles of our dharma and telling.
‘It is good to serve the parents. Charity to friend’s acquaintances, tribesmen…is good.’’
The council (of ministers) will order the ‘Yukta’ officials to strictly abide by these rules.
Fourth Engraving—In the past for hundreds of years killing of the living beings, violence to animals, disrespect to near and dear, wandering sages and Brahmins (learned ones) have been on the increase. But the battle cry of the favoured one of the gods, for the religious conduct had made it a crusade. God carrier elephant, inferno (symbol of hell) and other such spectacles that had not been witnessed for hundreds of years. Now occur due to the religious discipline of the favoured one of gods, namely non-violence, stoppage of animal killings, animal protection, respect to near and dear ones…
This religious conduct will be furthered by the favoured one of gods, Priyadarshi king. The king’s son and grand children will continue it till the end of the epoch. They will go on preaching the religious discipline and living a life of dharma and good conduct because the best thing the religious discipline is. One who has no good character…
Note: The Minor Stone engravings are in the nature of Emperor Ashoka issuing orders to general public preachers, disciples, followers, volunteers and all the employees and officials of the state. But Chaturdasha Engravings are more like information bulletins in which the Emperor accounts for his actions, works, purpose and intents. And they look like ‘Progress Reports.’
Fifth Engraving—The favoured one of gods, Priyadarshi king says that doing good work is difficult. One who applies himself in doing good work is handling difficult job. I have done many good works. So, if my son, grand children and their offsprings continue this process it will be nice and fine because sinning is easy.
In the past there were no officials as Dharma Mahapatra. But I appointed Dharma Mahapatras… They are working for religious discipline between the master and his servant for their welfare and the good, they are appointed to work for their (people’s) welfare and good and to free them from worldly desires and greed.
They are appointed to stop the unjustified killings, bondages and imprisonments, to take care of those who have large families, who are troubled by evil spirits or who are very old. They are posted in Patliputra…
Sixth Engraving—The favoured…says that in the past the work of the state was not always and every hour on and news from the informers was not always heard. So, I arranged for the (state) informers to report to me the news irrespective of what I doing—eating in inner palace sanctum, in underground chamber, walking, riding or travelling whatever and anytime.
I do public work (duty) every where and every time. If I order some charity, or work, instruction to Mahapatras and regarding that if there is some problem or controversy or rejection by the council of ministers, I have standing order that I be informed at once in any situation. No amount of hard work or toil satisfies me. I consider it my duty to work for the good of my people. No work is more important than public welfare.
What brave work I do is just to pay back what debt I owe to all living beings, to make people happy and to help them earn a place in the heaven…
Seventh Engraving—The favoured…says everywhere the people of the different faiths must live together because all faiths stand for discipline and piety of mind. But different individuals have different minds, habits, traits, likes and dislikes. They totally or only partially act upon their faiths…
Eighth Engraving—In the past kings used to go out on pleasure trips. They hunted or indulged in some such enjoyments. But the favoured one of gods, Priyadarshi king, ten years after his coronation when set out on the path of spiritual enlightenment, pilgrimage trips began. On these pilgrimages one meets Brahmins and sages, gives them his offerings, pays tributes and gold to elderly, preaches religion to villagers and interacts on the same subjects…
Ninth Engraving—The favoured….says that people on the occasions of the marriage of their sons and daughters, birth of sons and while going on voyages or others such events perform many high or low rituals. At such time women indulge in very lowly and meaningless rituals. Some customs are alright but they are rewarding in small measure. But religious conduct customs are great rewarders. These include correct treatment to servants and juniors, respect to teachers, compassion to all creatures, non-violence, charity to Brahmins and sages and other such customs…
It is also said that charity is good. But the charity or a good turn is not so good as the religious charity or religious good turn. So, a friend, good hearted brother, relative or helper must say to his friend, brother etc. on such and such occasions…
Tenth Engraving—The favoured…does not care much about fame and glory. Whatever fame and glory he seeks it is for the purpose of inspiring my subjects into being religious and serving the religious in the present and in future as well. For this purpose only the favoured…desires fame and glory.
Whatever valiant efforts the favoured…does it is for the after life…
Eleventh Engraving—The favoured…says no charity is as charity of religion great as charity of religion. No friendship is as great as the friendship through religion. No division is as (bad as) the division of religion. No relationship is as (sacred as) the relationship of religion. Dharma teaches us to treat servants and juniors well, to care for the parents…
Twelfth Engraving—The favoured… welcomes all family men, ascetics and people of other faiths with various charities and worships but the favoured one…does not care so much about the charity and worship as for the furtherance of the noble elements of all faiths. The noble elements of the faiths are furthered in many ways but the key way is speech discipline. That means the people shouldn’t always glorify their own faith and criticize other without any special reason. If for a special reason the criticism is called for, it should be disciplined.
In every case, the other faith must be respected. That way a man enriches his own faith and does good to the faith of others as well. The opposite behaviour ruins one’s own faith…
The favoured…wishes for all the communities to be tolerant, respectful and blessed with noble wisdom. So, all those who are only immersed in their own faiths must be told that the favoured…does not care so much for charity and worship as for the growth of the noble elements of all faiths…
Thirteenth Engraving—One lac people died (in Kalinga war). Many times more perished to consequent epidemics. Now when Kalinga is gained…killing of people, deaths, exiles…the favoured one…was very pained and sorry…Brahmins and sages…their friends, aquaintances, servants, families….fall in trouble….the tragedies come to all…here people belong to one faith or the other…at that time the number of people…even the destruction of 1000th part would pain the favoured one of the gods…now all creatures be treated in the spirit of non-violence and discipline equanimous treatment and politeness…now every where Antiyok, and beyond four kings Turmaya, Antekeni, Mega…Kambhoj… Andhras…Pulindar all…follow the religious conduct and discipline…
Note—This engraving mainly laments the cost of the Kalinga war and the tragedies resulted. Ashoka expresses his regrets and details how his heart changed and the reformative steps he took to become the follower of non violence, mercy, compassion and love. He reveals his new found joy and fulfillment as a religious Emperor.
Fourteenth Engraving—These religious messages are engraved by…Priyadarshi king. The writings are brief at places and detailed at other places. All things don’t apply everywhere.
My kingdom is very vast. That is why several messages have been written and many more shall be scripted and engraved. At places due to the interesting nature of the subjects things are repeated again and again to impress upon the people. The shortcomings in these writings should be attributed to the geographical variants, brevity of the writings or the mistakes of the writers (or engraver).
Cave Engravings—There are three types of cave engravings classified according to the period of their inscriptions. The scripts refers to the periods they were engraved in relation to Emperor Ashoka’s coronation, name of the cave or its location and the caves are dedicated to the toiling common folk.
First Pillar—The favoured one of gods Priyadarshi king says I got this writing inscribed 26 years after my coronation. The true happiness in this world or the other world does not come without deep devotion to one’s faith, without special introspection, without great service (deeds), without great fear of sins and without big commitment (zeal). But due to my teachings the people have shown growing respect and love for the religious discipline and it will continue to grow…
Second Pillar—The favoured…says religious act is good. But what is religion? The religion is staying away from the sins and doing good deeds. Practise mercy, compassion, charity, truthfulness and piety. I too have given eyes to people in may ways (spiritual insights). I have been merciful to two legged, four legged living beings four legged living beings birds and water creatures. I saved their lives. I did many other good deeds. This message is inscribed to be there for a long time and for people to follow the example. Anyone who acts upon it will earn the credit of a good deed…
Third Pillar—The favoured one….says that man only sees his good deeds and says to himself, ‘I did this great thing.’ But he fails to see his faults and does not say himself, ‘That is bad thing I did. I am no good.’
Such introspection is not easy. Still a man must realise that cruelty, heartlessness, anger, vanity and jealousy are the causes of sins and he should not let them degenerate him…
Fourth Inscription—The favoured…says I ordered this inscription 26 years after my coronation. My appointees called ‘Rajjuks’ sit over lacs of people. I have given them the right to punish and reward. It is to enable them carry out their duties fearlessly and with pressure-free minds for the good and the welfare of the people to oblige them. They will try to find out the cause of the well being or distresses of the subjects and get the religious persons preach them the ways to gain happiness in life and superior after world. Rajjuks will obey my orders.
My men (officials) will also follow my wishes and instructions. Just as a man becomes carefree after giving charge of his child to an efficient baby nurse in the belief that she would take good care, similarly I have appointed Rajjuks to nurse the people making them happy and contented. To help do their duties fearlessly, with calm and pressure-free mind they have been power to punish and reward. I want no partiality in treatment and punishment. So I order that those who are in prisons condemned to death they be given three day’s grace during which their families and relatives can plead for reconsideration for remission of death sentence or they can pray till the end and do charity or fasting…
Fifth Inscription—In this message Emperor Ashoka has listed the names of the creatures whose killing was banned by his orders.
Besides that he stipulated that pregnant or suckling goats, she-sheep and their young ones upto the age of six months shall not be killed.
Certain special days were fixed on which fishing or selling fish was made illegal. During those day any killing in elephant reserves or ponds were disallowed.
And certain periods were determined during which castration of bulls, he-goats, pigs and other male animals was banned. Similarly, on certain days and during some periods branding of horses and bulls was declared unlawful. Priyadarshi king claims that during the initial 26 years of his rule he pardoned the prisoners 25 times and freed them.
Sixth Inscription—The favoured…says 12 years after my coronation I ordered this inscription for the welfare and the good of the people to inspire them to leave the ways of the sins and join the fold of the faith in every way. Thus keeping in view the goal of the happiness and welfare of the people I try to see how not only my own kith and kin or people but the neighbourhood and far off people also benefit.
For this very purpose I work. Thus, I keep in mind the good and the welfare of all the societies. I have respected all the other faiths…
Minor Pillar Inscriptions—These inscriptions mainly relate to the internal affairs of the Sangha institutions. The writings contain suggestion and orders to Sangha managers, spiritual heads, his own Mahapatras or other officials. Some texts contain threats and warnings to bad elements within.
It appears that during a period Sangha faced crises when thousands of imposters infiltrated the ranks of Sangha monks, nun and other posts. Their doings set in degeneration processes. The original Buddhist fundamental principles were violated and false values injected which started the rot.
The imposters plotted to divide the institutions and created internal differences and strifes. The internal bickering threatened to bring down the Sangha house. Emperor Ashoka was trying to set the house in order and prevent the collapse.
Sanchi Minor Inscription—Some beginning part of the writing is chipped off or obliterated.
It warns the imposter monks and nuns of dire consequence if they continued to divide Sangha.
Sarnath Inscription—It is also partially damaged especially the upper portion. It was addressed to Mahapatras. Emperor Ashoka asks them to tell the bad elements of the Sanghas who were creating the difference within to stop their nefarious acts or face the expulsions and boycott.
Rummindei Inscription—Situated at the spot Buddha was born Emperor Ashoka had performed worship there. A wall was constructed and a stone pillar raised to commemorate the event. The inscription announces the relief to Lumbini villages of all taxes. Ashoka gave up his share or part of all agricultural produces as well.
Nigleev Inscription—Emperor Ashoka got the height of Kanakmuni Buddha Stupa situated here doubled. 20 years after his coronation Ashoka came here and performed worship. A stone pillar was also raised on which the inscription is written recording his visit and the worship.
