Short notes on the Pillar Edicts of Mauryan Economy

Location the sites are: Allahabad-Kosam, Meerut (original site) but now in Delhi, Topra (original site) but now in Delhi, Lauriya-Araraj in northern Bihar, Lauriya-Nandangarh in northern Bihar and Rampurva (north of Bettiah in northern Bihar).

What They Say the edicts in translated version are given below:

1st Pillar Edict:

Thus speaks the Beloved of the Gods, King Piyadassi. When I had been consecrated for twenty-six years, I had this inscription of Dharnm engraved.

It is hard to obtain happiness in this world and the next without extreme love of Dhamma, much vigilance, much obedience, much fear of sin, and extreme energy.

But, through my instructions, care; for Dhamma and love of Dhamma have grown from day to day, and will continue to grow. My subor­dinates too, whether high or low or of middle station, endorse it and practise it sufficiently to win over the wavering, and likewise do the frontier officials.

For this is my principle: to protect through Dhamma, to administer affairs according to Dhamma, to please the people with Dhamma, to guard the empire with Dhamma.

2nd Pillar Edict:

Thus speaks the Beloved of the Gods, King Piyadassi. Dhamma is good. And what is Dhamma? It is having few faults and many good deeds, mercy, charity, truthfulness, and purity.

I have given the gift of insight in various forms. I have conferred many benefits on man, animals, birds, and fish, even to saving their lives, and I have done many other commendable deeds.

I have had this inscription of Dhamma engraved that men may conform to it and that it may endure. He who conforms will do well.

3rd Pillar Edict:

Thus speaks the Beloved of the Gods, King Piyadassi. One only notices one’s good deeds, thinking, ‘I have done good’, but on the other hand one does not notice one’s wicked deeds, thinking, ‘I have done evil’, or ‘this is indeed a sin’.

Now, to be aware of this is something really difficult. But nevertheless one should notice this and think, ‘Cruelty, harshness, anger, pride, and envy, these are indeed productive of sin.’

Let them not be the cause of my fall. And this one should especially notice, thinking, ‘this is important to my happiness in this world; that, on the other hand, for the next.’

4th Pillar Edict:

Thus speaks the Beloved of the Gods, King Piyadassi. When I had been consecrated twenty-six years I had this inscription on Dhamma engraved. My rajukas (rural officers) are appointed over many hundred thousands of people.

In judge­ment and punishment I have given them indepen­dent authority, so that the rajukas may fulfill their functions calmly and fearlessly and may promote the welfare and happiness of the country people and benefit them.

They will learn what makes for happiness and unhappiness and together with those devoted to Dhamma, they will admonish the country people that they may obtain happiness in this world and the next.

The rajukas are eager to obey me and they will likewise obey my envoys who know my wishes. These likewise will admonish (the erring rajukas) so that they will be able to give me satisfaction.

Just as one entrusts his child to an experienced nurse, and is confident that the experienced nurse is able to care for the child satisfactorily, so my rajukas have been appointed for the welfare and happiness of the country people.

In order that they may fulfil their functions fearlessly, confidently, and cheerfully, I have given them independent authority in judgement and punishment. But it is desirable that there should be uniformity in judicial procedure and punishment.

This is my instruction from now on. Men who are imprisoned or sentenced to death are to be given three days respite. Thus their relations may plead for their lives, or, if there is no one to plead for them, they may make donations or undertake a fast for a better rebirth in the next life.

For it is my wish that they should gain the next world. And among the people various practices of Dhamma are increas­ing, such as self-control and the distribution of charity.

5th Pillar Edict:

Thus speaks the Beloved of the Gods, King Piyadassi. When I had been consecrated for twenty-six years I forbade the killing of the following species of animals, namely: parrots, mainas, red-headed ducks (?), cakravaka-geese, swans, nandi- mukhas, pigeons, bats, ants, tortoises, boneless fish, vedaveyakas, puputas of the Ganges, skate, porcupines, squirrels, deer, lizards, domesticated animals, rhinoc­eroses, white pigeons, domestic pigeons, and all quadrupeds which are of no utility and are not eaten.

She-goats, ewes, and sows which are with young or are giving suck are not to be killed; neither are their young up to the age of six months. Capons must not be made. Chaff which contains living things must not be set on fire.

Forests must not be burned in order to kill living things or without any good reason. An animal must not be fed with another animal.

On the first full moon days of the three four- monthly seasons, and for three days when the full moon falls on the star Tisya, and the fourteenth and fifteenth of the bright fortnight, and the first of the dark, and regularly on fast days, fish are not to be caught or sold.

And on these same days in the elephant-park and fisheries, other classes of animals likewise must not be killed.

On the eighth, four­teenth, and fifteenth days of the fortnight, on the days of the star Tisya and Punarvasu, on the three first full moons of the four-monthly seasons, and on festival days, bulls, goats, rams, boars, and other animals which it is customary to castrate are not to be castrated.

On the days of the stars Tisya and Punarvasu, on the first full moon days of the four- monthly seasons, and on the fortnights following them, cattle and horses are not to be branded.

In the period (from my consecration) to (the anniversary on which) I had been consecrated twenty-six years, twenty-five releases of prisoners have been made.

6th Pillar Edict:

Thus speaks the Beloved of the Gods, King Piyadassi. When I had been consecrated for twelve years I had an inscription of Dhamma engraved for the welfare and happiness of the world.

Whoever follows it should obtain progress in Dhamma in various ways. Thus do I provide for the welfare and happiness of the world-in the same way as I bring happiness to my relatives, both close and distant and work for it, so do I provide for all classes.

I honour all sects with various kinds of reverence, and I consider visiting them in person to be most important. When I had been consecrated for twenty- six years I had this inscription of Dhamma engraved.

7th Pillar Edict:

Thus speaks the Beloved of the Gods, King Piyadassi. In the past, kings searched for means whereby people’s interest in Dhamma would increase, but the people did not respond accordingly with a greater devotion to Dhamma.

Hence the Beloved of the Gods, King Piyadassi says: This idea occurred to me. In the past kings sought to make the people progress but they did not.How then could people be made to conform to Dhamma and increase their interest in it?

How could I elevate them through devotion to Dhamma? Shall make them hear proclamations of Dhamma, and instruct them with the knowledge of Dhamma. When they have heard this, the people will endorse it and will be elevated, and will progress greatly in Dhamma.

For this reason there have been proclamations of Dhamma and many instructions of Dhamma were ordered, and my administrators were appointed over many people; they will admonish them and explain Dhamma to them.

The rajukas are appointed over many hundreds of thousands of people; I have instructed them duly to encourage those people devoted to Dhamma.

Thus speaks the Beloved of the Gods, King Piyadassi. With this same idea in mind I have made pillars of Dhamma, appointed officers of Dhamma, and made proclamations of Dhamma.

Thus speaks the Beloved of the Gods, King Piyadassi. On the roads I have had banyan trees planted, which will give shade to beasts and men, I have had mango-groves planted and I have had wells dug and rest houses built at every eight kos.

And I have had many watering places made every­where for the use of beasts and men. But this benefit is important, and indeed the world has enjoyed attention in many ways from former kings as well as from me. But I have done these things in order that my people might conform to Dhamma.

Thus speaks the Beloved of the Gods, King Piyadassi. My officers of Dhamma are busy in many matters of public benefit; they are busy among members of all sects, both ascetics and householders.

I have appointed some to concern themselves with the Buddhist Order, with Brahmans and Ajivikas, with the Jainas, and with various sects. There are many categories of officers with a variety of duties, but my officers of Dhamma are busy with the affairs of these and other sects.

Thus speaks the Beloved of the Gods, King Piyadassi. These and many other chief officers are busy with the distribution of charity both on my behalf and on that of my queens; and in all my harem, in various forms, they assist in the recog­nition of virtuous deeds, here and in all regions.

And I have ordered them to be concerned with the distribution of charity on behalf of my sons, and of the other princes, that they may glory in Dhamma and conform to it.

Thus the glory of Dhamma will increase throughout the world, and it will be en­dorsed in the form of mercy, charity, truthfulness, purity, gentleness, and virtue.

Thus speaks the Beloved of the Gods, King Piyadassi. Whatever good deeds I have done, the world has consented to them and followed them.

Thus obedience to mother and father, obedience to teachers, deference to those advanced in age, and regard for brahmans and sramanas, the poor and wretched, slaves and servants, have increased and will increase.

Thus speaks the Beloved of the Gods, King Piyadassi. The advancement of Dhamma amongst men has been achieved through two means, legis­lation and persuasion. But of these two, legislation has been less effective and persuasion more so.

I have proclaimed through legislation for instance that certain species of animals are not to be killed, and other such ideas. But men have increased their adherence to Dhamma by being persuaded not to injure living beings and not to take life.

I have done all this so that among my sons and great grandsons and as long as the sun and moon endure, men may follow Dhamma. For by following it one gains this world and the next.

When I had been consecrated twenty-seven years I had this inscription of Dhamma engraved. The Beloved of the Gods speaks thus. This inscription of Dhamma is to be engraved wherever there are stone pillars or stone slabs that it may last long.