The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the - Bill Heidrick's Cross ...

16 THE SACRED BOOKS
THE EDICTS OF GIRNAR
(THE THIRTEENTH EDICT)
And, moreover, within the domains of Antiochus the Greek
King, of which Antiochus' generals are the rulers, every-
where Piyadasi's double system of medical aid is established,
both medical aid for men and medical aid for animals,
together with medicaments of all sorts, which are suitable for
men and suitable for animals.
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In truth, the King, dear to the gods, has at heart security
for all creatures, respect for life, peace, and happiness.
These are the things that the King, dear to the gods, takes to
be the conquests of religion. It is in these religious conquests
that the King, dear to the gods, finds delight both in his own
empire and over all the borderlands for the distance of many
hundred yojanas. Among these neighbors are Antiochus, the
King of Yavanas, and beyond this same Antiochus four kings,
Ptolemy, Antigonus, Magas, and Alexander; in the South,
the Cholas, Pandyas as far as Ceylon, and so, too, the King
of the Huns, Vismavasi. Among the Yavanas and Kambo-
jas, the Nabhakas and Nabhapantis, the Bhojas and Peten-
ikas, the Andhras and Pulindas, everywhere the religious
instructions of the King, dear to the gods, are observed.
Wherever the embassies of the King, dear to the gods, have
been sent, there, too, the duties of religion having been made
known in the name of the King, dear to the gods, men now
give heed and will give heed to the religious instructions, to
religion, this bulwark against . . . In this manner has the
conquest been extended everywhere. I have found therein a
heartfelt joy. Such is the satisfaction that comes of religious
conquests.