602 Interpretation of the inscriptions [July, 



Translation of Inscription round the column. 



Moreover along with the increase of religion, opposition will in- 

 crease : for which reason I have appointed sermons to be preached, and 

 I have established ordinances of every kind ; through the efficacy of 

 which, the misguided, having acquired true knowledge, shall proclaim 

 it on all sides (?), and shall become active in upholding its duties. 

 The disciples too flocking in vast multitudes (many hundred thousand 

 souls% let these likewise receive my command — ' in such wise do ye 

 too address on all sides (or address comfortably?) the people united in 

 religion.' King Deva'nampiya Piyadasi thus spake: — Thus among the 



Transcript of the Inscription round the column. 



1. Dhamma vaddiyd cha bddha 1 vadhisati ; etayema athaye dhammasdvAndni 

 s&vdpitdni 2, dhammdausathini 3 vividhdni dndpitdni : yatdya (?) pdpi bahune janasin 

 inyatd 4 ete paliyo vadisantipi, pavithalapantipi 5 : rajakdpi bahukesu p&nasatasahasesib 

 dyatd, tepime dnapitd, hevamcha hevamcha paliyo vadatha 6 



1. The only word suitable here is ^"juf ;, opposition : Ratna Paula would 

 read "^f^ wisdom. There is no such word as «rj<» w ith a cerebral dh. The 

 more proselytism succeeded, the greater opposition it would necessarily meet. 



2. Sdvdpitini should doubtless be sdv&pitdm ^nTrfarTTfif ' caused to be 

 heard.' 



3. Anusathini (subauditur valchyani). ^J«r^T«rTf*r» ordinances, would be the 

 more correct expression, ^JP5FTfa" i f i rT, ordered, commanded. 



4. Yatdya pdpi bahune Janasin dyatd. The first three letters are inserted in 

 dots on the transcript in the society's possession ; it is consequently doubtful 

 how to restore the passage ; a nominative plural masculine is required to agree 

 with dyatd and govern vadisanti, thus g^T ^~a»f*T W*\ *£&(> Iff ^1%^ 

 ^rf^rsjfsrT. The meaning of paliye or paliyo is very doubtful : it resembles or 

 contrasts with the viyo of a former part of the inscription. The pandit would 

 have "qf^T ' oa fi U sides' — viz. that they should become missionaries after their 

 own conversion. 



5. Perhaps ^^ ^TT^f^rl, ' they sna11 er »P lo y others in speaking' (or 

 preaching). 



6. The word vadatha being in the second person plural '%'&%? the rajah& 

 raxj, beginning the sentence must be in the vocative, ' oh disciples.' But 

 even this requires a correction from vaddtha to vadatha. Ayatd and anapitd, are 

 equivalent to the Sanskrit i^ and ^rsfyf^ry:, having come and being 

 admitted by me, — or ^TTfTfarTToto tnem it; is commanded, which is best because 

 it leads to the imperative conjunction vadatha. 



