Page:Asoka - the Buddhist Emperor of India.djvu/217

Rh rendering of mukhâ (J. R. A. .S., 1915, p. 97). 'Sundry places where satisfaction may be found.' The phrase, which is obscure, is supposed to mean 'opportunities for charity,' but I am not quite satisfied.

The Queens (devî) may have been four, as later in Burma.Asoka sharply distinguishes between the Princes, sons of the lawful Queens, and his offspring by women of lower degree. One of the Princes is known to have been named Tivara (Queen's Edict).

Section IX. 'Reflection,' as Mr. Thomas has shown, is the best rendering of njhati (J. R. A. S., 1916, p. 122), meaning 'reflection on the dhaḿma and heartfelt acceptance of its principles.

'Sun and moon endure.' The phrase, which became a commonplace in later land grants, recurs in the Cave Inscriptions (post).

The whole edict, save for the small exceptions noted above, is fully intelligible, and the translation may be accepted as sound. The variations from my earlier version are mostly designed to give greater precision.

SECTION 2 The Four Minor Pillar Edicts

1. THE SÂRNÂTH EDICT THE PENALTY OF SCHISM (Ed. with good facsimile by Vogel, Ep. Ind. viii, p. 168.)

[Thus saith] His Sacred [and Gracious] Majesty [the King]:—

(I) '[Both] at Pâṭa[liputra and in the provinces, His Sacred Majesty instructs the High Oﬂicers that] the Church may not be rent in twain by any person. ... Whosoever, be it monk or be it nun, shall mislead [1it. "deflect"] the Church shall be vested in white garments and compelled to dwell in an external residence. Thus