Inscriptions of Ashoka
Pillar Edict (PE) VI
Original text by Meena Talim
1. देवानंपिये पियदसि लाज हेवं आहा | दुवाडस-
2. वस – अभिसितेन मे धंमलिपि लिखापिता लोकसा
3. हित्तसुखाये | से तं अपहटा तं तं धंमवढि पापोवा
4. हेवं लोकसा हितसुखे ति पटिवेखामि अथ इयं
5. नातिसु हेवं पतियासंनेसु हेवं अपकठेसु |
6. किमं कानि सुखं अवहामी ति तथ च विदहामि | हेमेवा
7. सवनिकायेसु पटिवेक्खामि | सवपासंडा पि मे पूजिता
8. विविधाय पूजाय | ए चु इयं अतना पचूपगमने
9. से मे मोख्यमत | सडुवीसतिवस अभिसितेन मे
10. इयं धंमलिपि लिखापिता |
English translation by Meena Talim
1. Piyadassi, the beloved of the God said thus: Twelfth
2. years after my coronation I have caused this Dhamma-lipi to be scribed.
3. It is done for the benefit and happiness of the people. It was stuck (on the drums) there and there was growth in Dhamma.
4. I have considered, that this will be for the benefit and happiness of the people. Therefore,
5. I have told this to my sons, relatives and daughter-in-laws
6. What is it? I have acquired much happiness (in this life). I shall therefore arrange to give it to others. Thus
7. This will be observed in all my departments. All heretics have been worshiped by me,
8. worshiped in various ways. This is my regular personal visit (meeting).
9. It is foremostly important to me. Twenty-sic years after my coronation
10. this Dhamma-lipi was caused to be inscribed.
English translation by V A Smith
Thus saith His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King:
When I had been consecrated twelve years I caused a scripture of the Law of Piety to be written for the welfare and happiness of mankind, with the intent that they, giving up their old courses, might attain growth in piety, one way or another. Thus, aiming at the welfare and happiness of mankind, I devote my attention alike to my relatives, to persons near, and to persons afar off, if haply I may guide some of them to happiness, and to that end I make my arrangements. In like manner I devote my attention to all communities, because all denominations are reverenced by me with various forms of reverence. Nevertheless, personal adherence to one’s own creed is the chief thing in my opinion. When I had been consecrated twenty-six years I had this scripture of the Law of Piety written.
English translation by D R Bhandarkar
Thus saith king Priyadarsin, Beloved of the gods : “Since I was crowned twelve years, I have caused Dhamma-lipis to be written for the welfare and happiness of the people, so that giving up that (conduct), (the officers) might nurture this and that growth of Dhamma. (Perceiving) : ”thus (lies) the welfare and happiness of the people,” I scrutinize them, both those who are far and near, as I do my relatives. Why so? In order that I might cause happiness to some (among people). And I act accordingly. Thus do I scrutinize all classes (of officials). All sects I have honored with various honors; but voluntary advances (to another sect) are considered by me as the chief thing. This Dhamma-lipi has been caused to be written by me when crowned twenty-six years.
English translation by R K Mookerji
Thus saith His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King : By me consecrated twelve years was caused to be inscribed a body of Religious Edicts for the good and happiness of the people that they, making that their own might attain to that and that (i.e., a corresponding) growth in Dharma.
(thinking) :”thus will be (secured) the good and happiness of people,” I am attending not only to (my) relatives, but to those who are near, and far, in order that I might lead them to happiness, and I am ordaining accordingly.
Thus do I also attend to all classes.
All sects are also honored by me with various offerings. But that which is one’s own approach (or choice) is considered by me as the most essential.
By me consecrated twenty-six years was this Religious Edict caused to be inscribed.
English translation by D C Sircar
Thus saith king Priyadarshi, Beloved of the Gods.
Twelve years after my coronation, records relating to Dharma were caused to be written by me for the first time for the welfare and happiness of the people, so that, without violation there of, they might attain the growth of Dharma un various respects.
Thinking: “Only in this way the welfare and happiness of the people may be secured.” I investigate as to how I may bring happiness to people, no matter whether they are relatives or residents of the neighborhood of my capital or of distant localities. And I act accordingly. In the same manner, I scrutinize in respect of all classes of people. Moreover, all the religious sects have been honored by me with various kinds of honors. But what I consider my principal duty is meeting the people of different sects personally.
This record relating to Dharma has been caused to be written by me twenty-six years after my coronation.
English translation by S Dhammika
Beloved-of-the-Gods speaks thus: Twelve years after my coronation I started to have Dhamma edicts written for the welfare and happiness of the people, and so that not transgressing them they might grow in the Dhamma. Thinking: “How can the welfare and happiness of the people be secured?” I give attention to my relatives, to those dwelling near and those dwelling far, so I can lead them to happiness and then I act accordingly. I do the same for all groups. I have honored all religions with various honors. But I consider it best to meet with people personally.
This Dhamma edict was written twenty-six years after my coronation.