Various "Devanampiya Piyadasi" inscriptions on the Pillars of Ashoka"Devānaṃpiyasa Asoka", honorific Devanampiya (Brahmi script: 𑀤𑁂𑀯𑀸𑀦𑀁𑀧𑀺𑀬𑀲𑀅𑀲𑁄𑀓, "Beloved of the God", in the adjectival form -sa) and name of Ashoka, in Brahmi script, in the Maski Edict of Ashoka"Devānampiyena" (𑀤𑁂𑀯𑀸𑀦𑀁𑀧𑀺𑀬𑁂𑀦:"Of Devanampiya") in the Lumbini Minor Pillar Edict of Ashoka. Brahmi script
Devanampriya (Devanagari: देवनामप्रिय), also called Devanampiya (Brahmi script: 𑀤𑁂𑀯𑀸𑀦𑀁𑀧𑀺𑀬, Devānaṃpiya), was a Pali honorific epithet used by a few Indian monarchs, but most particularly the 3rd Mauryan Emperor Ashoka The Great (r.269-233 BCE) in his inscriptions (the Edicts of Ashoka).[1] "Devanampriya" means "Beloved of the Gods". It is often used by Ashoka in conjunction with the title Priyadasi, which means "He who regards others with kindness", "Humane".[1]
However, this title was used by a number of Ceylonese kings from Uttiya to Yasalalakatissa from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century CE.[2]
The Kalsi version of the Major Rock Edict No.8 also uses the title "Devampriyas" to describe previous kings (whereas the other versions use the term "Kings"), suggesting that the title "Denampriya" had a rather wide usage and might just have meant "King".[3][4]
Prinsep in his study and decipherment of the Edicts of Ashoka had originally identified Devanampriya Priyadasi with the King of Ceylon Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura. However, in 1837, George Turnour discovered Sri Lankan manuscripts (Dipavamsa, or "Island Chronicle" ) associating Piyadasi with Ashoka:
"Two hundred and eighteen years after the beatitude of the Buddha, was the inauguration of Piyadassi, .... who, the grandson of Chandragupta, and the son of Bindusara, and was at the time Governor of Ujjayani."
— Dipavamsa.[5]
Since then, the association of "Devanampriya Priyadarsin" with Ashoka was reinforced through various inscriptions, and especially confirmed in the Minor Rock Edict inscription discovered in Maski, associating Ashoka with Devanampriya:[1][6]
[A proclamation] of Devanampriya Asoka.
Two and a half years [and somewhat more] (have passed) since I am a Buddha-Sakya.
[A year and] somewhat more (has passed) [since] I have visited the Samgha and have shown zeal.
Those gods who formerly had been unmingled (with men) in Jambudvipa, have how become mingled (with them).
This object can be reached even by a lowly (person) who is devoted to morality.
One must not think thus, — (viz.) that only an exalted (person) may reach this.
Both the lowly and the exalted must be told : "If you act thus, this matter (will be) prosperous and of long duration, and will thus progress to one and a half.
— Maski inscription of Ashoka.[7]
Historical Usage
Devānaṃpiya may refer to:
Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura (died 267 BCE), ruler of Sri Lanka based at the ancient capital of Anuradhapura from 307 to 267 BC
Ashoka (ca. 304–232 BCE), Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty
Dasharatha Maurya (ca. 232 to 224 BCE), grandson of Ashoka, in his Barabar caves inscriptions, in the form "Devanampiya Dasaratha"
Vāṉavar aṉpaṉ, early Tamil for "the One who is Loved by the Gods" - title of a Tamil Chera chieftain of early historic south India
^ abcThe Cambridge Shorter History of India. CUP Archive. p. 42.
^Nicholas, C.W (1949). The titles of Sinhalese kings. University of Ceylon Review.'Pages 235-248' http://dlib.pdn.ac.lk/bitstream/123456789/947/1/Mr.Nicholas%2CC.W.pdf
^Beckwith, Christopher I. (2015). Greek Buddha: Pyrrho's Encounter with Early Buddhism in Central Asia. Princeton University Press. pp. 235–236. ISBN 9781400866328.
^Inscriptions of Asoka. New Edition by E. Hultzsch (in Sanskrit). 1925. p. 37 Note 3.
^Allen, Charles (2012). Ashoka: The Search for India's Lost Emperor. Little, Brown Book Group. p. 79. ISBN 9781408703885.
^Gupta, Subhadra Sen (2009). Ashoka. Penguin UK. p. 13. ISBN 9788184758078.
^Inscriptions of Asoka. New Edition by E. Hultzsch (in Sanskrit). 1925. pp. 174–175.
associating Ashoka with his regnal title Devanampriya ("Beloved-of-the-Gods"): [A proclamation] of Devanampriya Asoka. Two and a half years [and somewhat...
morality-rescript Devānāṁpriya.INS Priyadarśin.INS king.INS write.CAUS.PTC 'This rescript on morality has been caused to be written by king Devānāṁpriya Priyadarśin...
generally used in conjunction with the title "Devanampriya" ("Beloved of the Gods") in the formula "Devanampriya Priyadasi". Some of the inscriptions rather...
the full Brahmi alphabet. The edicts in Brahmi script mentioned a King Devanampriya Piyadasi which Prinsep initially assumed was a Sri Lankan king. He was...
confirmed the association of the title "Devanampriya" ("Beloved-of-the-Gods") with Ashoka: [A proclamation] of Devanampriya Asoka. Two and a half years [and...
confirmed the association of the honorific title "Devanampriya" with Ashoka: [A proclamation] of Devanampriya Asoka. Two and a half years [and somewhat more]...
enemies"), a title of Indra. In addition, Bindusara was given the title Devanampriya ("The Beloved of the Gods"), which was also applied to his successor...
Maski, was an important discovery as it solved the mystery of the title 'devanampriya' which was found in many inscriptions scattered throughout the subcontinent...
now, in consequence of the practice of morality on the part of king Devanampriya Priyadarsin, the sound of drums has become the sound of morality, showing...
The translation of inscription (by Paranavitana) reads: "When King Devanampriya Priyadarsin had been anointed twenty years, he came himself and worshipped...
written by someone reporting a past visit of Devanampriya Priyadarsi, and is not written in Devanampriya Priyadarsi's own name contrary to all other known...
practice which predated him and was done by former kings as well. King Devanampriya Priyadarsin speaks thus. On the roads banyan-trees were caused to be...
Devanapriyasa Raño likhapitu ("This Dharma-Edict was written by King Devanampriya" Hultzsch, E. (1925). Inscriptions of Asoka (in Sanskrit) (New ed.)....
of foreigners, and Stri-adhyaksha- mahamatras, in charge of women. "Devanampriya Priyadarsin speaks thus. Having in view this very (matter), I have set...
Dasharatha Maurya Devanampriya Chakravartin 4th Mauryan Emperor Reign c. 232 – c. 224 BCE Predecessor Ashoka Successor Samprati Born 252 BCE Died 224 BCE...
offered by historians. ....And this (conquest) has been won repeatedly by Devanampriya both [here] and among all (his) borderers, even as far as at (the distance...
stone pillars here in my dominion, there also cause it to be engraved.". Devanampriya [speaks] thus. .................. years since I am a lay-worshipper (upasaka)...
Brahmi script) Inscription (Prakrit in the Brahmi script) When King Devanampriya Priyadarsin had been anointed twenty years, he came himself and worshipped...
3rd-century BCE and identified it as the birth-place of the Buddha. When King Devānāmpriya Priyadasin had been anointed twenty years, he came himself and worshipped...
Cunningham, among others. The edicts in Brahmi script mentioned a King Devanampriya Piyadasi which Prinsep initially assumed was a Sri Lankan king. He was...
requires |journal= (help) Kielhorn, F. (1908). "Bhagavats, Tatrabhavat, and Devanampriya". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society: 502–505. Archived from the original...
Devanapriyasa Raño likhapitu" ("This Dharma-Edicts was written by King Devanampriya" Inscriptions of Asoka. New Edition by E. Hultzsch (in Sanskrit). 1925...
The inscription mentions, as translated by Paranavitana: When King Devanampriya Priyadarsin had been anointed twenty years, he came himself and worshipped...
name Asoka in it instead of the earlier edicts that referred him as Devanampriya Mudgal The main attractions Mudgal are the remnants of the Mudgal fort...
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