Page:Asoka - the Buddhist Emperor of India.djvu/206

204 EDICT V REGULATIONS RESTRICTING SLAUGHTER AND MUTILATION OF ANIMALS: JAIL DELIVERIES

Thus saith His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King:—

'When I had been consecrated twenty—six years the following species [or "creatures"] were declared exempt from slaughter, namely these:—parrots, starlings, (?) adjutants, "Brahmany ducks," geese, nandîmukhas, gelâtas, bats, queen-ants, female tortoises, "boneless fish," vedaveyakas, gangâpuputakas, (?) skate, river tortoises, porcupines, tree squirrels, (?) bârahsingha stags, "Brahmany bulls," (2) monkeys, rhinoceros, grey doves, Village pigeons, and all four-footed animals which are neither utilized nor eaten.

She-goats, ewes, and sows, that is to say, those which are with young or in milk, are exempt from slaughter, as well as their offspring up to six months of age.

The caponing of cocks must not be done.

Chaff must not be set on fire along with the living things in it.

Forests must not be set on fire either wantonly or for the destruction of life.

The living must not be fed with the living.

At each of the three seasonal full moons and at the full moon of Tishya (December—January) for three days in each case, namely, the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the first fortnight and the first day of the second fortnight, as well as on fast-days throughout the year, fish is exempt from slaughter, and must not be sold.

On the same days in elephant-forests and fish—ponds other classes of animals whatsoever are not to be destroyed.

On the eighth, fourteenth, and fifteenth days of each