Page:Asoka - the Buddhist Emperor of India.djvu/211

209 EDICT VII REVIEW OF ASOKA'S MEASURES FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE LAW OF PIETY IN HIS EMPIRE

I. Thus saith His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the Kin:—

'The kings who lived in times past desired that men might grow with the growth of the Law of Piety. Men, however, did not grow with the growth of the Law of Piety in due proportion.'

II. Concerning this thus saith His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King:—

'This [thought] occurred to me:—In times past kings desired that men might grow with the growth of the Law of Piety in due proportion; men, however, did not in-due proportion grow with the growth of the Law.

By what means, then, can men be induced to conform? by what means can men grow with the growth of the Law of Piety in due proportion? by what means can I lift up at least some of them through the growth of that Law?'

III. Concerning this thus saith His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King:—

'This [thought] occurred to me:—

"Proclamation of the Law of Piety will I proclaim; with instruction in that Law will I instruct; so that men heankening thereto may conform, lift themselves up, and mightily grow with the growth of the Law of Piety."

For this my purpose proclamations of the Law of Piety have been proclaimed; instructions in that Law of many kinds have been disseminated; my [?] missioners, likewise my Agents set over the multitude, will expound and expand my teaching.

The Governors, also, set over many hundred thousands of souls have received instructions—"In