South Indian Inscriptions

EPIGRAPHIA INDICA

(VII) And, if misfortune befalls the friends, acquaintances, companions and relatives of persons who are full of affection (towards the former), even though they are themselves well provided for, (the said misfortune) as well becomes as injury to their own selves. (VIII) (In war), this fate is shared by all classes of men and is considered deplorable by the Beloved of the Gods. (IX) Excepting the country of the Yavanas, there is no country where these two classes, (viz.) the Brāhmaṇas and the Śramaṇas, do not exist. (X) And there is no place in any country where men are not indeed (sincerely) devoted to one sect (or other). (XI) Therefore, (the slaughter, death or deportation) of a even a hundredth or thousands part of all those people who were either slain or died or were carried away (captive) at that time in Kaliṅga, is now considered very deplorable by the Beloved of the Gods. (XII) Now the Beloved of the Gods thinks that, even if (a person) should wrong him, the (offence) would be forgiven if it is possible to forgive it. (XIII) And the forest-[folk] (who live) in the dominions of the Beloved of the Gods, even them he entreats and exhorts (in regard to their duty). (XIV) (It is hereby) explained (to them) that, in spite of his repentance, the Beloved of the Gods possesses power (enough to punish them for their crimes), so that they should turn (from evil ways) and would not be killed (for their crimes). (XV) Verily the Beloved of the Gods desires (the following) in respect of all creatures, (viz.) non-injury (to them), restraint (in dealing with them), impartiality (in the cases of crimes committed by them, and) mild behaviour (towards them). (XVI) So, what is conquest through Dharma is now considered to be the best conquest by the Beloved of the Gods. (XVII) And such a conquest has been achieved by the Beloved of the Gods not only here (in his own dominions) but also in the territories bordering (on his dominions), as far away as (at the distance of) six hundred Yojanas, (where) the Yavana king named Antiyoka (is ruling and where), beyond (the kingdom of) the said Antiyoka, four other kings named Turamāya, Antikeni, Makā and Alikasudara (are also ruling), and towards the south, where the Choḍas and Pāṇḍyas (are living), as far as Tāmraparṇī. (XVIII) Likewise here in the dominions of His Majesty, (the Beloved of the Gods),─ in (the countries of) the Yavanas and Kāmbojas, of the Nābhakas and Nābhapaṅktis, of the Bhojas and Paitrayaṇikas and of the Andras and Paulindas,^[1] everywhere (people) are conforming to the instructions in Dharma (imparted) by the Beloved of the Gods. (XIX) Even where the envoys of the Beloved of the Gods have not penetrated, there too (men) have heard of the practices of Dharma and the ordinances (issued and) the instructions in Dharma (imparted) by the Beloved of the Gods, (and) are conforming to Dharma (and) will continue to conform to it. XX) So, (whatever) conquest is achieved in this way, verify that conquest (creates an atmosphere of) satisfaction everywhere (both among the victors and the vanquished). (XXI) In the conquest through Dharma, satisfaction is derived (by both the parties). (XXII) But that satisfaction is indeed of little consequence.

___________________________________________________

^[1] Cf. Ind. Cult., Vol. VIII, pp. 399-400. For the changes of l to r in this name in the Girnār version, cf. below p.30.