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EPIGRAPHIA INDICA
(III) On these and similar other occasions, people perform many (kinds of) auspicious
ceremony.
(IV) And on such (occasions), the womenfolk (in particular) perform many and diverse
(kinds of) ceremony which is trivial and meaningless.
(V) An auspicious rite, however, should certainly be performed.
(VI) But the said (kind of rites) in fact produces meagre results.
(VII) (On the other hand), such a ceremony as is associated with Dharma produces great results.
(VIII) In it are comprised the following, (viz.) proper courtesy to slaves and servants,
reverence to elders, restraint in (one’s dealings with) living beings, (and) liberality to the Śramaṇas
and Brāhmaṇas.
(IX) These and similar other (virtues) are indeed the ceremonies of Dharma.
(X) Therefore, whether (one is a person’s) father, or son, or brother, or friend or acquaintance,
or (even) a (mere) neighbour, one ought to declare (to him as follows) :
(XI) This (kind of rite associated with Dharma) is good.
(XII) “One should observe this practice until one’s (desired) object is attained and (resolve
that) this (practice) will be observed by him[1] again (and again) even after the object is attained.”
(XIII) The auspicious ceremony (of kinds) other than this is indeed of dubious (value).
(XIV) Perchance a person may attain his object (by performing those ceremonies), perchance
he may not.
(XV) Moreover, (performance of those ceremonies) may produce results in this world only.
(XVI) But the (said) rite of Dharma is not restricted to time.
(XVII) If (a person performs it but) does not attain his object in this world, even then
endless merit (for him) is produced (by it) in the next world.
(XVIII) And, if (a person) attains his object in this would, both the results are obtained (by
him, viz.), that the (desired) object (is attained) in this world as also endless merit is produced (for
him) in the next world by that ceremony of Dharma.
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[1] The orgiinal has ‘by me’.
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