1 840.] Inscription fowid near Bhabra . 619 



Translation from the Sanscrit Version. 



Piadasa (the beloved) Raja, unto the multitude assembled in 

 Magadha 1 saluting him, speaks (thus) 2 — 



That the sacrifice of animals 3 is forbidden, is well known unto 

 ye; spare them : for those who are of the Budhist faith such (sacri- 

 fice) is not meet, thus (spake he). The offering of upussad 4 

 is best of all. Some there are who kill — that which the Supreme 

 Budha spake at the conclusion (of his commandments) was well 

 spoken; those who act thus, follow in the right path, they will re- 

 main healthy in their faith for a length of time to come. 



There are some who make blood offerings, (but) of these there are 

 few, this is right and proper, (the Budhist creed) these (of the faith) 

 I protect, (likewise) those who keep company with the righteous and 

 uncovetous. 



The Scriptures of the Munis (the Vedas) are observed by their dis- 

 ciples ; their future state is to be dreaded. 



The texts of the Vedas in which the sacrifice (of animals) is en- 

 joined, are mean and false (obey them not) ; follow that which the lord 

 Budha hath commanded ; do so (practice) for the glorification of the 

 faith (dhurma). This I desire, that all of ye priests and priestesses'; 

 religious men and religious women 6 , yea every one of ye, ever hearing 

 this, bear it in your hearts ! This my pleasure, I have caused it to 

 be written, vea I have devised it. 



1. It is evident that the assembly here mentioned is the great convocation which 

 is recorded to have taken place at Pataliputra (Palibothra) modern Patna, the then 

 capital of Magadha and of the Indian Empire, in the 17th year of the reign of Piadasa 

 Dhnrmatsoka, b. c. 309, for the suppression of schisms of the priesthood (see Tumour's 

 Examination of the Pali Budhistical Annals, vol. vi. part 11, Journal Asiatic Society, 

 p. 505). 



2. The word V O evam, " thus," does not occur as in the Lat'h and rock in- 

 scriptions, but it is nevertheless understood; it is supplied by the word *Jfl at the end 

 of the sentence following. 



3. The word UfU (Sanscrit ^T^T) literally means any animals which chew the 

 cud, and have hair on their tails, such as goats, sheep, deer, &c 



4. A mixture of ghee, milk, teil seed, and rice. 



4k 



