The nine rock edicts of Samrat Ashoka in Karnataka

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. - Gautama Buddha (563 BCE to 483 BCE)

More than 2½ years have passed since I am a upasaka. A year or more back (I was not very zealous). I am devotedly attached to Buddhists clergy. I am after visiting the Sangha. In that period (formally in Jambudhipa those Gods did not mingle with people with people are mingling now.It can be achieved by the low born also if they are very much associated with dharma. Gods are not connected only to the (uda) high class people but also can be achieved by (khudake) poor man. cavataviya - it is told that both. If you follow my proclamation both can achieve the goal. If you follow this it is going to go on increasing and become everlasting. - Samrat Ashoka (304 BCE to 232 BCE)

Buddha preached the way to peaceful existence and Ashoka spread Buddha's doctrine of peaceful existence. Ashoka had his message inscribed on natural rocks, pillars and slabs. Readers were appointed to read out the messages to people.

Ashokan major rock edict of Sannati

March 17, 2012 was the beginning of search for Ashokan edicts of Karnataka began at Gavimath, Koppal. With every find the search became increasingly interesting and challenging at times. The search was not limited to searching the Internet and visiting sites but also trying to locate the sources of history of the discovery of the edicts, their transliterations and translations. With my friend Shilpa's epigraphy notes, I could find impression sheets, transliterations & translations for some of the inscriptions. Mr. S B Hiremath of history department in Karnatak University helped me by lending a book on Asokan edicts and also allowed me to refer volumes of Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum. Before 2013 came to an end all sites were visited with the last one being Siddapur edict, and by mid Jan 2014 all accessible information about the edicts were gathered. So the search was almost over.. unless some new discovery turns up.

November 28, 2013
Our day started early at Shahapur. I was up and ready to move by 5-30, so was Suresh the cab driver. We had hot and fresh tea at the main square of Shahapur town. I was pretty excited about seeing the first major rock edict of emperor Ashoka at Sannati however I had to be patient until dawn so that it was light enough to see the outline of Shahapur hills. Yes, the plan was to see the sleeping Buddha hill. Indeed the hills looks like Buddha - many call this Nature's tribute to Gautama Buddha. Ideally the hill should be seen at dusk, when Sun is behind the hill it creates a beautiful silhouette of sleeping Buddha. We let Buddha sleep and start our journey towards Sannati.

Though the distance between Shahapur and Sannati is 20 odd kilometers, the journey lasted almost an hour because we had to stop often to make sure we were heading in the right directions. Also, the last 4 kms were terrible, the road surface was a 3D sine wave, just I or II gears :-( Finally we made it to Bhima river, we were on the bridge looking at Yadgir district on the right and Gulbarga district on the left.

Bhima as seen from Sannati barrage

Here's a map of the area showing Bhima's path and locations of Sannati, Chandrala Parameshwari temple, Kanaganahalli and the stupa site. All these places mentioned are historically connected.

Sri Chandrala Parameshwari temple

Buddhist center of Sannati-Kanaganahalli

Close to the Buddhist center is a recently built Stupa. The building was locked and a peep through the windows reviled a empty hall.

Opposite the modern Stupa are two more creations- Ashoka Stambha and a life size statue of Samrat Ashoka. In the background is the site of the ancient stupa and the inscription. There was one security guard watching us closely. Suresh befriended him quickly.

A serene looking Ashoka. On the pedestal was this inscription:
HIS GREATNESS | Ashoka was a marvelously talented man of extraordinary qualities and one of the greatest kings who ever ruled in the world. He was a great conqueror, builder, politician, ruler, righteous social reformer, philosopher, saint, a man of compassion and vision, a lover of wildlife and a keen environmentalist. The mission he organized to spiritually win the world was instrumental in spreading an humble doctrine of India to the wide stretches of the world. - Madhukar Piplayan

It was barely 8-15 AM then and the security guard told me visitor are allowed after 9-30 AM - ASI rules. He told us the area is heavily protected, it is guarded round the clock. I could not curb by eagerness.. my request to let me in earlier than usual was considered. As we stepped into the fenced area, a board blared in bold types- strictly no photography and videography. I was taken back, no photo?? Anyway, let me see the place first. Around the ruins of the stupa was the collection of sculpted parts - sculptures which told stories from lives of Gautama Buddha and Samrat Ashoka. This site is important because of several reasons of which two are- 1. presence of major rock edict and 2. sculpture of Ashoka with his name engraved on the panel.

I looked around for some time and the ban on photography was bothering me. I inquired about the caretaker of this site; he would be coming shortly. As I relaxed on a bench I had an idea, I made phone call to my friend who had introduced me to ASI officers. Luckily I got him and I was assured of obtaining permission in an hour. Great :) Mean time, a person had appeared - he happened to be a policeman on site duty. Wow! Also there were 6 or 7 uniformed security guards and gearing for their shift!

The nearest place for breakfast was Chandrala Parameshwari temple. The temple is ancient with plenty of modern touches. With hardly any visitors Devi's darshan was easy. Breakfast was hot upit and tea at a small eatery next to the temple. Back at the Stupa site, the caretaker had arrived, after introductions I learnt that Hajim was a simple middle age man with lot of field experience in excavations. He had immense experience in piecing together broken sculptures. Finally I got a call from my friend, I was asked to speak to two officers and lo, permission was granted. With Hajim's permission too, I took few pictures and sharing the photo of the inscription.

Sannati inscription is engraved on a semi-dressed slab rather than a natural rocks as in other Ashokan site (in Karnataka). This damaged slab seen here was much larger originally. Both faces of the slab have inscriptions. At some point of time during the construction of Chandrala Parameshwari temple, builders used the slab to make a petha ~ a pedestal for mounting a deity. When placed horizontally, the rectangular hole receives the shaft of the statue placed vertically on the pedestal.

As mentioned earlier, I have sourced some information from epigraphy notes and history books. Below are the extracts.

Sannati Inscription of Ashoka

• It is a major rock edict.
• It also has the rock edict nos. XII and XIV.
• It was found in Sannati, a village in Chitapur taluq in Gulbarga district.
• It is 27 kms from Yadgir and located on the left bank of Bhima, a tributary of river Krishna.
• Sannati is known for Chadralamba temple, a well known pilgrimage center.

There's a fort in Sannati called Seturajanakatte but an eminent archaeologist opined that it must be 'Satavahara Kote'. The king's name was Beturaja. This site was first noticed by Kapatrao Krishnarao. His article was published in Karnataka Samskruti Samshodhana. In his article he highlights the importance of this place. Dr. M Sheshadri, the director of state arcaeology (1964-65) conducted excavations. In 1966 Dr. P V Desai former director of KRI opined that Sannati is a well known and important Buddhist centre of Karnataka. In between Sannati and Kanaganahalli, we find a number of cultural and architectural remainders belonging to pre-Shatvahana. It includes tap, tides and decorative parts of Buddhist Viharas. Also vessels made of mud and beads made of crystals & other stones and ornaments made of conch. All these antiquites belong to early historic period. Here we find 46 inscriptions in Sannati and most are of one line i.e. label inscriptions including Ashokan inscriptions. Most are of Shatvahana and Rashtrakuta period. Some are written on sculptures. In the complex of Chandralamba temple, there is a temple of Mahakali locally known as Mahakaliagni. It was constructed after the downfall of Buddhist.It is renovated several times but the Garbhagriha has Rashtrakuta features. The Garbhagriha is in square shape  and it has Antarala and Mukhamantapa. There are 6 pillars and some half pillars. In the Garbhagriha is an idol of Chamundi. It is broken into two at the pedestal of the goddess. The discovery of Ashokan edict at Sannati was in Jan-Feb 1989 by R V Shivsharma (Assistant Superintendent) and J Varaprasad Rao (technical staff) of ASI Hyderabad. I K Sharma also visited and declared that it belongs to Ashoka. Also a well known archaeologist S R Rao (known for Sindhu lipi decipherment) also visited this place. He hints that it is Ashokan Brahmi or of a little later period. The pedestal where this inscription is engraved is a brownish granite 2.33m x 1.21m x 0.3m thick. Usually Ashokan edicts are found on natural boulders and pillars but here in Sannati a block is prepared and on both sides inscriptions are engraved.

• Major edicts are 24 and special rock edicts I & II available in Dhauli are found in Sannati as well i.e. the Kalinga version. It is written as a special rock edict for neighboring people.
• All Major Rock Edicts were within the kingdom.
• Zhonnagiri > Suvarnagiri > Svarnagiri > Sonagiri > Sannagiri
• The 2 edicts XII and XIV on the first face (A) of the slab in Sannati were discovered by Sarvashri R V Siva Sarma and J Vara Prasada Rao.

Ashokan Edicts from Sannati: Early Brahmi Inscriptions from Sannati

(A) The First Face
It contains in all twelve lines. The upper and the lower four are separated by a short horizontal stroke at the left margin indicating that they are two different edicts. The ridged border and the sizing of the rock to prepare the nalika (water chute) has caused serious damage to the letters of the text. The beginnings in some lines and the right extent of the inscribed part are badly damaged as a result, the full text of the existing edicts cannot be made out. The writing is somewhat indifferent. The lines are not straight but leaning towards left though the letters are subjected to polish, the traces of which can be felt. The letters forms recall Minor Rock Edicts I-II of Nittur and Udegolam etc.

The extant record on this face is incomplete, as the slab is broken at either sides, but does provide some clues for identification and proper assignment. The text is in lines of Brahmi characters of the Ashokan times, the language being Prakit. In line-9, the clear mention "iyam dhamma lipi devanam piyena" is enough to assign the edict to Asoka. In the available portions, however, there is no mention of the personal name of Asoka.

Text Edict XII (lines 1-8)
1. ...pa...lana...
2. ...aka [te] na he...
3. ...tam anta pasada ca cha...la pasa...
4. ...galahati save ata pisada...kita a...
5. ...ga ata pasadam sesamavayeva pa sa ma
6. ...sava pasada bahu suta ca kiyaya [na] gama
7. cama nu ta atha kiti salava
8. mahavata vaca raji mika anebini

TRANSLATION (Full Text)
1. King Priyadarsin, beloved of Gods, honors men of all religious communities
2. Both with gifts and with honors of various kinds (irrespective of wwhether they are ascetics or householders).
3. But th beloved of Gods does not value either the (offering of) gifts or the honoring (of people) so (highly) as the following, viz., that there should be a growth of the essentials of Dharma among men of all sects.
4. But a promotion of the essentials (in Dharma is possible) in many ways its toot is thus guarding (one's) speech, that neither praising one's own sect or disparagement of other sects should take place.
5. It should be moderate in every case even on appropriate occasions.
6. if one is acting this, he is promoting his own sect and benefiting other sects
7. If a person acts otherwise (he) not only injures his own sect very severally but also harms other sects.
8. All (this) out of devotion to his own sect with a view to glorify his own sect if he is acting thus, he rather injures his own sect severally.
9. Therefore, concord alone is meritorious i.e. they should both hear and obey each others morals. For this is the desire of Devanampriya that all sects.
10. Become well informed and acquire pure knowledge of the doctrine and those who are attached to their respective (sects) out to be spoken to (as follows). Devanampriya does not value either the (offering of) gifts or honoring (the people) so highly as the following.
11. That promotion of the essentials of all sects should take place and many officers are occupied for this purpose, the mahamantras in-charge of dharma the mahamantras in-charge of the (matters relating to) ladies.
12. The officers in-charge of (my cattle and) pasture lands and other classes (of officials). And the result of their acts is the promotion of one's own sect and the glorification of Dharma.

Text Edict XIV (lines 1-4)
1. eyam dhamma lipi devanampiyena ...vasa...
2. no hisavate save ghati [te]...
3. tasa tasa a [-] sa madhuliyaye...[jane] tatha[...]...
4. kalanam va alochayatu lipa [i] kalapa [la] dhavata

TRANSLATION (Full Text)
1. This record relating to Dharma has been caused to be written by king Devanampriya beloved of Gods.
2. Either in abridged (form) or of middle (size) or at full length.
3. And the whole was not suitable everywhere.
4. For (my) dominions are wide, and much has been written, and I shall certainly cause still a lot (more) to be written.
5. And (some) of this has been stated again and again owing to their sweetness, so that people may act accordingly.
6. Thus there may be some (topic) which have been written incompletely either on account of the locality, or because (my) motive was not liked or owing to a fault of the scribe.

(B) The Second Face
The characters of the record on the reverse face are closer to teh ones discovered on the (A) First Face and somewhat better preserved because the slab was buried under the soil and not affected by human activity. The text, is, therefore, better preserved.The content of the major record which occupies the central portion of the stele is very similar to the Separate Rock Edict II found at Jaugada, District Ganjam, Orissa. A version of this Separate Rock Edict was also found at Dhauli in Puri District along with separate Rock Edict I. D.C. Sircar regarded this separate Kalinga edict as Rock Edict XV. Though numbered as Separate Rock Edict II in the sequence this is actually the first one to be carved. In the Sannati record, minor textual variations can be noted. There is no mention of the epithet devanam priya or piyadasi laja etc. but referneces to mahamantra (line 14) is seen and the name of the king is also not mentioned. But in Jaugada version, besides the devanampriya a viceroy named Samapa was also cited.

In Kalinga country (Dhauli and Jaugada) the Separate Rock Edict are issued in place of Rock Edicts XI, XII and XIII. While at Sannati we know about Edicts XII and XIV clearly but the rest are fragmentary in nature. Presently they could be satisfactorily identified too.

Now I look beyond the borders of Karnataka and the nearest major rock inscription is at Erragudi near Gooty in Andhra Pradesh. My heart yearns to go there.

PS: On the 23rd of Dec 2014, I visited Yerragudi site and here's the link to the blog post- Major and Minor Rock Edicts of Ashoka, Yerragudi.

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Ashokan minor rock edict of Siddapura

December 22, 2013
The distance between Jatinga-Rameshwara and Siddapura is 7.5 kms but the time taken to cover that distance was 20 minutes. We passed through two or three villages, part of the road ran parallel to Hagari and finally reached the main road leading to Siddapura. Just across Hagari river is Siddapura village. We arrive at a junction, turn right for Siddapura village and left to Brahmagiri. I knew the approximate location of the edict, a hillock about a kilometer from the village towards Brahmagiri. At the junction was a badly scarred tourism department board.

PREHISTORIC SITE

When this prehistoric site was excavated a sequence of three cultures namely period I. Neolithic Chalcolithic, period II. Megalithic and period III. the early historic was noticed. The period I was characterized by polished cells on doleerity, parallel-sided blades, microliths, copper and bronze objects. The ceramic typology revolves mostly hand made grey were burnished as well as unburnished with dish on stand. channel-snouted bowl, deep bowl with spouted constitute main type ________ ________ domestic structures were similar to the se________ ________ ________ ________ iron implements and the ceramic asse________ ________ ________ black and red ware, black ware, ________ as well as ________ ________ ware also noticed. Shell bangled beads, terracotta, jasper and stealite have been formed. The last period is characterized by a sophisticated pottery made on ________ wheel, with painted geometric designs. ________ shreads of roulatted wase have also been collected. On the basis of material evidence this period is assignated to ________ phase.

We make inquiries for Siddapura edict but for some reason people tried to send us off to Brahmagiri edict. I had to emphasize that my search was Siddapura to which someone said there's no such spot. I made a face to say how ignorant they were and remained silent for a minute. Then a man came forward and volunteered to show us the spot. Good, we ask him to hop in. An extra also jumped in. We turned left, drove towards Brahmagiri for 680 meters and stopped before a cluster of houses and a rock formation. Our car remains on the road while we proceed on foot. Our guide Thipperudra lead us through barren paddy fields towards a rocky hillock about 400 meters away. We could see a stone structure similar to the one at Jatinga Rameshwara nestled among huge rocks but to reach it we had to take a short round about. We are almost there.

Total distance from where we left our car to this structure is less then 500 meters. And people say no such spot exists. Ignorance or deliberately misguiding? Anyway, thanks to Thipperudra.

Thanks to the British archaeologist Brigadier Sir Robert Eric Mortimer Wheeler. The inscription has been enclosed, out of reach to vandals.

Sadly, few days ago vandals had removed few bars from the grill. I think the bars were stolen to be sold as scrap for money. And that money would be used to fuel some useless habit like drinking or gambling. Our people, will they ever learn :(

So here we have another edict of emperor Ashoka the Great. Like his other edicts, even this inscription carried a message of peace.

While some parts of the inscription is clearly visible, some parts have faded.

This 3rd century BCE message is in Prakrit language and Brahmi script. The letters are 3 to 4 inches high. In this view the letters are inverted.

May 2013, I had done little research at KUD's history department library. With the librarian's help I had found the Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum volume containing transliteration/translation Maski, Brahmagiri, Jatinga-Rameshwara and Siddapura edicts. Unfortunately translations for were not given for Jatinga Rameshwar and Siddapur edicts. The edicts of Nittur edict or Udegolam edict are similar, perhaps they can be referred to for translation.

TRANSLITERATION
1. (A) Suvamnagirite ayaputasa mahamata-
2. nam cha vachanena I[s]ilasi mahamata
3. arogiyam vata[v]i[ya] (B) [Dev]a[na]mpiye hevam
4. aha (C) adhikani a[dha]t[i]y[ani] vasani
5. ya ha[kam u]pasake (D) no tu kho badha pakamte husam ek[am] sa[vachha]..
6. (E) [satire]ke tu kho samvachhare [yam maya sam]ghe upayite badham
7. [cha me] p[akam]te (F) i[m]ina chu kalena [a]misa sama[na] mu
8. ....Jambu[d].....[mi]sa devehi (G) pakamasa hi iyam phale (H) no [h]i i-
9. ya sake [ma]....[ne]va papo[ta]ve kamam tu kho khudakena
10. pi[pa].........na [v]ipul[e] svage sak[e] aradhetave
11. (I) [s]e.........ya[iya]m savane savite yatha khu-
12. [daka cha ma]hatpa cha imam [pa]kameyu ti ata cha
13. ..........[chira]-thi[t]ik[e] cha iyam pakame hoti
14. (J) ..........va[dh]isiti vipu[la]m p[i] cha vadhisiti [a]
15. ..........[yadhiya]m vadhisiti (K) i[ya]m [cha] sa[va]ne
16. ..........(L) [200] 50 6 (M) [ma]..........[si]taviye
17. ..........[hyi]tavyam sa[cha]m va[ta],,[ya]m im[e] dhamma-gu
18. ..........(N) [heme]va [a]m..........[acha]riye apachayitaviye su
19. ..........(O) [es]a [p]o[r]a[na]...[ki]ti di[gha]vu[se] cha (P) heme[va]...m[t]evisine cha
20. achariy[e]..........tharaham pavatitav..........m...
21. ..........sa [ta]tha kataviye (R) Chapa..........
22. ..........[na]

A close look at the engraving.

A rough map showing locations of the three edicts of Chitradurga district.

Here's the board at the junction.

Ashoka's 2300 year old inscription and an important prehistoric site deserves something better than this.

December 22, 2013 is a day to remember for me because I have completed my mission to see all known Ashokan edicts in Karnataka. If there are any newly discovered edicts, then it would be incomplete...

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Ashokan minor rock edict of Jatinga-Rameshwara

March 7, 2013
We drove by Jatinga Rameshwara but it was not in our naseeb to climb the hill.

December 22, 2013
Our day started with a visit to the Neolothic site on Sangankal Gudda to see the stone implements factory with our guide Rama Dasa. The day, a Sunday, was astronomically important- it was winter solstice. Having spent half day touring the hill we came back to Bellary, had lunch and immediately started off towards Jatinga-Rameshwara and Brahmagiri. We had three places to see this afternoon- Ashokan edict of Jatinga Rameshwara, Ashokan edict of Siddapura and Megalithic burial site of Brahmagiri. Edicts were a priority, decided to finish off with the difficult one first.

This Jatinga-Rameshwara hill, a rocky hill with its peak at 180 meters above the surrounding plains.

Jatinga-Rameshwara in setting sun light, as seen from Bellary-Hiriyur road

About 2 kms ahead of Rampura bus-stand, we turned left towards Devasamudra. At the village we got directions to Jatinga-Rameshwara -its a well tread path. We could drive right up to the base of the hill where a flight of steps snakes up the rocky-woody slopes. The dirt road passes through a valley and hill towered above us, especially Dodda Jatinga looked seriously high. We imagined the climb to be a long one but there was no giving up without trying. Also, we had no idea where the Ashokan edict was.. on the flat part of the hill or at the highest point... we had to be patient for time being.

There we go.. Mama and I maintained a steady pace. Good I had only chapati for lunch, I was comfortable. Good thing about this climb was we had shady spots to stop and relax.

The flat part of the hill was in sight, our progress was good :) The flight of steps is a recent creation. I'm sure this route was an ancient one.

Soon our path was completely shaded by the hill and a stone wall came into view. I had a feeling we were very close to the edict now. Two boys were descending.. out of curiosity I asked them if they know about the Ashoka's inscription. One of them said there's no such thing very confidently. I asked where he was from; Devasamudra. People are seriously ignorant here. During our previous visit to Siddapura, a school headmaster had told Brahmagiri inscription was the only one here. Very said indeed. I asked them if they would come with us to see the inscription.. one boy was ready but the other one wanted to get back to his village. Well..

There's the stone wall, like a small fort.

Glimpse of Jatinga Rameshwara temple through an opening in the wall.

That's the enclosure built for the emperor's message of peace. The structure's architecture is very similar to that of Brahmagiri. The metal grills are of same section, probably from the same lot. On the right, in the background is the temple's entrance.

The structure as seen from the rear. Two Frangipani trees grace the otherwise bare temple complex.

A peep though the grills.. that's the lucky boulder which holds Ashoka's message for peace. The letters have faded for badly. If not for the British archaeologist Mortimer Wheeler's effort to have this boulder protected, the letters might have worn to the extent of disappearing completely.

May 2013, I had done little research and found the transliteration of Jatinga-Rameshwara edict. Unfortunately the translation was not given there. For a general meaning of the edict you can refer either Nittur edict or Udegolam edict.

TRANSLITERATION
1. (A)..........[t]ana [cha va]......
2. Isi..........[vi]ya (B) Dev[a]n[a]......
3. ..........ya hakam..........
4. kho badha..........(E)..ti[reke]..........
5. [ya]m..[ya]..........
6. [na]..........
7. [h]i i[yam]..........
8. ..........
9. ..........
10. ..........[cha]......[dhi]s
11. ..[p]ulam pi..........[ya]dhiyam..........
12. (K) i....s[avane]..........[th]e[na] (L) 200 50 8 (M) [heme]va
13. [ma]t[a]-pitusu....[s]itav[i]y[e]he[m]e[va]....[na]  .a.es[u]
14. ..hy[ita]v[y]am sacham vataviyam [se] i[me]..........
15. hevam pa[va]titaviya (N) [svaa]m na te s .t.va[s]..........
16. taviya hemeva achari[ye]amtevasin[a]..........
17. ......[r]ana paki[ti]....sita[v]iy[a]..........[v]i[y]e
18. ..chariye[e]a......[a]char[i]yasa natika te..ya[tharaha]m[pava]-
19. titaviya (O) esa[po]ra[na pa]kiti d[igh]a....cha (P) [he]me[va] sa...e.a.
20. [cha]ya..........vati[tav]iye (Q) hevam [{dhamm]e Devanampiy...
21. ..[va]m kataviye (R)....dena [likhita]m
22. ..[pika]rena

A closer look at the text. The letters are quite big, about 3 to 4 inches tall but not as big as Nittur edict.

There was a crowd at Jatinga Rameshwara temple, one of the visitor's told us that a new idol was installed in the morning. Most of these people were from Devasamudra and they were camped here since yesterday afternoon and plan to stay back for the night and descend in the morning. Our host invited us to partake pooja prasad.

View from the temple entrance: the inscription enclosure, and Dodda Jatinga.

Within the temple complex is a board giving out some basic info about this hill. Transcription of the information board:

Pre-histroic Site: Jatinga Rameshwara Temple & Ashoka's Inscriptions

This hill is about 3469 feet above the sea level about 3 miles north-west of Brahmagiri. Being one of the places where eidcts of Ashoka have been found, the place is of great archaeological interest. This place is also connected with the story of Ramayana. It is here that Jatayu, the heroic bird, fell fighting with Ravana in its effort to rescue Sita from him.

The region was inhabited right from prehistoric times is evident from the discovery of pre-historic sites of Brahmagiri and Chandravalli. A minor rock edict of Ashoka was found at Brahmagiri about 5 kms south-east of Jatinga Rameshwara. Referring to the place as Isila, indicates that it was the provincial capital of Ashoka and was the southernmost pasrt of the Mauryan dominion. The minor rock edict refers to the message issued in the name of Devanampriya and it is in Brahmi script of the 3rd century BC.

The temple is small and cozy; it has a small Mukhamantapa which connects directly to the Garbhagudi. Right opposite the main temple is smaller shrine and in the same line is the Vijayastambha. Oh, the prasad offered was holige and badnekay-palya; very delicious preparation :) While we enjoyed the mini meal, our hosts had a difficult time keeping red-faced monkeys at bay.

Behind the main temple is a natural rock shelter and a shrine. On the rock are two inscriptions.

The inscription seems to be Kannada. The larger panel has about 13 lines and the smaller panel (inset) has about 15 lines. The larger inscription is accompanied by images of Shivalinga and Nandi.

Two more shrines. Behind these shrines is a natural pit..

..sadly the pit did not have much water. If this area had received normal rainfall, this pit would have been filled. Also there's a rough cut hero-stone.

Just besides the main temple, there's a path guided by a railing on the steep western slope is a small cave like pit with a pond. The pond is known as Kamala Honda or Tavare Honda ~ lotus pond. I was surprised to see lotus creepers this high.

Back at the temple, we thanked our hosts and left. Mama and I decided to explore the base of Dodda Jatinga, we had no plans to climb it. We were told there's a temple at the summit but the climb is not so easy.

We found two very primitive looking temples close to each other. Mama mentioned they are like Morayere Mane ~ dolmen we had seen at Kumathi yesterday. Yes, indeed it seems like a recent dolmen design. A memory flash! During my school/college days I remember seeing such granite structures in burial/cremation grounds in & around Bengaluru. Some of them seemed not older than 50 years. Does it mean dolmens were built even in 20th century?

The other shrine is built on a rough platform. Mama inspects the surroundings. I must come back here some time and explore the hill thoroughly.

It was past 3-30 now, we decide to leave so that we have enough time for Siddapura inscription and Brahmagirir megalithic site. The descent was non-stop in complete shade, lasted 20 minutes.
Here's a rough map of the area showing the locations of all three edicts of Samrat Ashoka.

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Ashokan minor rock edict of Nittur

The discovery of Asokan Minor Rock Edicts I and II at Nittur were reported in the newspapers late in the year 1977. The Nittur inscription raises the number of MRE I copies discovered in Karnataka from six to seven and that of MRE II versions from three to four. The existence of the two boulders with some writings on them was reported by E Visvanatha, a junior engineer of the Office of the Senior Geologist at Bellary to the Department of History and Archaelogy, Karnatak University, Dharwad. The inscription is situated 1½ kms south of village Nittur, Shirguppa Taluq in Bellary district.

March 8, 2013
Tekkalakote fort, Varavina Malleshwara Devasthana, Ashoka's edict at Udegolam, Nadivi fort.. those are the places we visited before coming to Asoka's edict of Nittur. Weather was warm but the carpet of paddy fields gave a cooling effect to the eyes. The edicts are situated at the base of a rocky hillock. The two granite structures in the center of the picture are recent creations to protect the boulders from sun and rain.

We could drive to the base of the hillock, we parked our cab near boulders. The care-taker was there alone. He was expecting us; his friends at Udegolam site had called informed about our visit. He said he was expecting us earlier, I told him about our little visit to Nadivi fort before coming here. I walked into one of the fields to get a view of boulders and part of the hillock.

Like Udegolam site, Nittur site also has two minor rock edicts. I'm assuming that boulder on the left has MRE I and on the right is MRE II.

Here we are looking at the 10' high boulder, on the surface facing is the inscription.

That's Prakash, the care-taker. We appreciated his sense of duty, the monument is kept clean and tidy. However, we were surprised at the absence of signage for such an important inscription.

The inscription is in Brahmi script and language is Sanskrit. This is MRE I- has 7 lines covering an area measuring 4' high x 18½' long. Letters' are 3½" to 8" high.

Now I turn to 'Ashokan Studies" a book by D C Sircar, to learn more about the inscription. Thanks to Mr. S B Hiremath, Director In-charge, Kannada Research Institute, Karnatak University, Dharwad for lending me this book. Incidentally, back in 1977 Mr. S B Hiremath was a member of the team from KUD who was here to document the newly discovered edict, he was a student at that time. He remembers spending four days at the site; a makeshift shelter was erected to protect them from wind and rain. Coming back to the book, it has information about recently discovered edicts of Emperor Asoka. Besides information about the discovery, transliteration and translation of the inscription, it also has photos of the impression sheets. Here are the scanned copies.

Picture source: Asokan Studies by D C Sircar

TRANSLITERATION of MRE I
1. (I) Deva[nam]piyo he[vam] aha (/*) (II) adhvi(dhi)kani adhatiyani [va]sani yam..
2. [u]pasake [no cu] kho b[a]dham pakamte husam ekam [sa]mvacharam (/*) (III) satireke tu kho samvachare yam maya sanghe u
3. puyi[te].. ca me pakam[t]e (/*) (IV) imi[n]a kalena amisa....munisa Jambudipasi mi[sa] [deve]-
4. [hi] (/*) (V) pakamasa hi [iya]m pha[le] (/*) (VI) [no] hi iyam [mahapten=eva] sake papotave (/*) (VII) kama[m]         [khuda]ken=api paka9ma0mi[ne]ua vi[pule] [svage]
5. sake aradhayitave (/*) (VIII) [sa] [e]taya iyam a[tha]ya [savane] savapite yatha [khu]daka ca ma[ha]pa ca imam pakameyvu am[t]a pi ca me [jane]y[vu] ti (/*)
6. (IX) cira-thitike [ca] i[ya]m pake(ka)mehoti (/*) (X) imam ca v[ip]u[le] vadh[isiti] [badha]m ca vadhisti avaradhiya diyadh[i]yam [vadhis]iti (/*) (XI) iyam ca savapite[ne]
7. [sa]vapite v[yu]thena [200 50 6] (/*) (XII) [sava-pa]thaviyam ca viva[s]ite ti (/*) (XIII) yatha ra[j]a Asoka aha tatha(tha) ti (//*)

TRANSLATION of MRE I
(I) Thus saith the Beloved of the Gods.
(II) It is more than two years and a half that I have become an upasaka (i.e. a lay follower of the Buddha), but was not excessively zealous [in the cause of Dharma] for one year.
(III) However, it is more than a year that I have been intimately associted with the Sangha (i.e. the Buddhist Church) and have been exerting myself [in the cause of Dharma].
(IV) By this time, in Jambu-dvipa (i.e. Asoka's empire), people who were unmingled (with gods) have been mingled with the gods.
(V) This is the result of [my] exertion [in the cause of Dharma].
(VI) Indeed, it is not only the big (i.e. rich) men who are capable of achieving this.
(VII) Even the small (i.e. poor) man, who exerts himself [in the cause of Dharma].
(VIII) Thus this declaration has been issued for the purpose that small and big men i.e. the rich and the poor exert [in respect of] this [matter] and the people living on the borders [of Asoka's empire] may know [about it].
(IX) And [in this way] this exertion [in the cause of Dharma] becomes everlasting.
(X) This exertion will increase to a considerable extent, will increase greatly [and] will increase more or less to one and half times.
(XI) This declaration has been issued [by the king] when he was away [from his capital on a tour of pilgrimage after the elapsing of] 256 [nights i.e. days of the tour].
(XII) {This edict] has been dispatched throughout the entire earth (i.e. Asoka's empire).
(XIII) [this has been done] in the way as it was said (i.e. ordered) by king Asoka.

As seen from the side, from the space between the two boulders.

Now we turn our attention to MRE II.

as seen from the paddy field

as seen from the space between the two boulders

This is the boulder which carries Asoka's message of peace... the same message Buddha had given the world.

Closer look at the text. This is MRE II; it is in 5 lines covering an area measuring 3' x 19'. Letters are smaller compared to MRE I.

Scanned copies photos of the impression sheets.

Picture source: Asokan Studies by D C Sircar

TRANSLITERATION of MRE II
1. (I) [r]aja Asoko hevam aha (/*) (II) tuphe anapayatha Rajuke (/*) (III) [se] [a]napayisati j[a]napadam ca janam Rathikani ca (/*) (IV) mata-pitusu sususita [v]iya ti (/*) (V) [h]evama garusu (/*).
2. (VI) panesu ca dayitaviye[e] ti (/*) (VII) ime dharma-guna pavatitaviya [t]i (/*) (VIII) .. [tu]phe Rajuka anapayatha (/*) (IX) se dan[i] Devanampiyasa vaca[ne][na] [a]na[pay]i[sa]t[i] (/*) (X) se hemava ana[pa[yatha (/*) (XI) he[meva] [ca]
3. Bamhanani ca hath-arohani ca karanakini ca yug-a[cariyani] ca (/*) (XII)..........[yadisi] [po]rana pakit[i]..(/*) (XIII)..[ana][pa]y[i]sati (/*) (XIV) ..sususitaviya ti (/*) (XV) iyam apacayitaviye ti (/*) (XVI) acaliye apacayi-
4. taviya ca sususitaviya ca (/*) (XVII) ye acali ..............................ti (/*) (XVIII) [i]yam [ya]tharaham [pa]vatita[v]iy[e] ti y[a]d[i]si porana paki[t]i (/*) (XIX) yatha.
5. hi satireke huveya tatha pavititav[i]ye [ti] (//*)

TRANSLATION of MRE II
(I) Thus saith king Asoka
(II) You (ie.e the Kumara and his Mahamantras) [should] pass orders on the Rajjuka
(III) He will pass oredres on the people of the countryside as well as on the Rastrikas.
(IV) "[One] should be obidient to [one's] parents."
(V) "In the same way, [one should be obidient] to one's elders."
(VI) "[One] should be kind to the living beings."
(VII) "One should propound these attributes of Dharma."
(VIII) [Thus] you should pass orders on the Rajjuka.
(IX) He will then pass orders [on his subordinates] in the words of the Beloved of the Gods.
(X)  Therefore you should pass orders [on the Rajjuka].
(XI) And in the same way, [orders should be passed on] the Brahmanas (i.e. the teachers of the Brahmana community) elephant riders, scribes and charioteers.
(XII) '[You should instruct your pupils] in accordance with what is the ancient usage'
(XIII) [He, i.e. the Rajjuka] will pass orders [as follows].
(XIV) "[The instruction] should be obeyed [in the same way.]"
(XV) "This should be held in respect."
(XVI) "The teacher should be honoured and obeyed."
(XVII) "Again, those who are the teacher's [kinsmen, among them also the instructions should be established.]"
(XVIII) "This should be established in the proper manner in accordance with what is the ancient usage."
(XIX) "{This] should be established in such a way that it becomes abundant."

Video link to Asokan edict of Nittur.

Here's a map of Nittur-Udegolam area. Roads connecting Tekkalakote and Udegolam/Nittur are dirt tracks but surface is good.

Tekkalakote to Udegolam site = 6½ kms
Udegolam site to Nittur site = 3½ kms
Tekkalakote to Nittur site = 10 kms

Today we are keeping up with the itinerary, the progress is good so far. Next on our list is Halaekote, a fort between Tekkalakote and Shirguppa.

To learn about the all edicts in Karnataka check out the nine edicts of Ashoka in Karnataka.

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