That It May Long Endure: From the Edicts of Asoka
Original title: Rock Edict VI; Pillar Edict VII (extracts)
Asoka Aśoka (Devānaṃpiya Piyadasi) (reigned c. 268–232 BCE)
Translated by Vincent A. Smith (1848–1920), 1920
c. 257–243 BCE

Cold Library · Open Stacks · S-008021 · https://coldlibrary.com/s/008021
Rights: Asoka’s edicts date from the third century BCE. Smith’s translation was published in 1920, the year he died. Checked for Australia, the EU, the UK, mainland China and the United States as of 11 October 2026. Guidance, not legal advice.
Source: Wikisource (en), Asoka - the Buddhist Emperor of India, https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Asoka_-_the_Buddhist_Emperor_of_India (retrieved 2026-10-11)
Generated 2026-10-14 from https://coldlibrary.com/en/open-stacks/asoka-that-it-may-long-endure

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Rock Edict VI. The Prompt Dispatch of Business

Thus saith His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King:—

'A long period has elapsed during which in the past business was not carried on or information brought in at all times. So by me the arrangement has been made that at all times, when I am eating, or in the ladies' apartments, or in my private room, or in the mews, or in my [?] conveyance, or in the pleasure-grounds, everywhere the persons appointed to give information should keep me informed about the affairs of the people.

And in all places I attend to the affairs of the people. And, if, perchance, by word of mouth I personally command a donation or injunction; or, again, when a matter of urgency has been committed to the High Officers, and in that matter a division or adjournment takes place in the Council, then without delay information must be given to me in all places, at all times. Such is my command.

Because I never feel satisfaction in my exertions and dispatch of business. For work I must for the welfare of all the folk; and of that, again, the root is energy and the dispatch of business; for nothing is more essential than the welfare of all the folk. And whatsoever efforts I make they are made that I may attain release from my debt to animate beings, so that while in this world I make some persons happy, they may win heaven in the world beyond. For that purpose have I caused this scripture of the Law to be written in order that it may endure, while my sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons may take action for the welfare of all folk. That, however, is difficult save by the utmost exertion.'


From Pillar Edict VII

V. Thus saith His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King:—

'On the roads, too, I have had banyan-trees planted to give shade to man and beast; groves (or "gardens") of mango-trees I have had planted; at every half-kôs I have had wells dug; rest-houses, too, have been erected; and numerous watering-places have been provided by me here and there for the enjoyment of man and beast.

A small matter, however, is that so-called enjoyment.

With various blessings has mankind been blessed by former kings, as by me also; by me, however, with the intent that men may conform to the Law of Piety, has it been done even as I thought.'

…

IX. Thus saith His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King:—

'Among men, however, when the aforesaid growth of piety has grown, it has been effected by twofold means, to wit, by regulations of the Law of Piety and by reflection. Of these two, however, regulations of the Law are of small account, whereas reflection is superior.

Nevertheless, regulations of the Law of Piety have been made by me to the effect that such and such species are exempt from slaughter, not to speak of numerous other regulations of the Law of Piety which have been made by me.

Yet the superiority of reflection is shown by the growth of piety among men and the more complete abstention from killing animate beings and from the sacrificial slaughter of living creatures.

So for this purpose has this been recorded, in order that my sons and descendants (lit. "great grandsons") may conform thereto, and by thus conforming may win both this World and the next.

When I had been consecrated twenty-seven years I had this scripture of the Law Written.'

X. Concerning this His Sacred Majesty saith:—

'This scripture of the Law of Piety, wheresoever pillars of stone or tables of stone exist, must there be recorded so that it may long endure.'