Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge & Truth — Page 135
BUDD<mark>HIS</mark>M. Christianity. It should be noted that these inscriptions were not etched solely on the stupas which were specifically built for t<mark>his</mark> purpose, they were also discovered upon the faces of huge rocks situated on highways and trade routes. . We present below two examples of such inscriptions from. Lillie's translations. . On the Eastern bank of the river Katak, twenty miles from Jagan Nath, there is a rock by the name of Pardohli upon which is written: 'Much longing after the things (of t<mark>his</mark> life) is a disobedience, I again declare; not less so is the laborious ambition of dominion by a prince who would be a propitiator of heaven. Confess and believe in God (Is'ana) who is the worthy object of obedience. For equal to t<mark>his</mark> (belief), I declare unto you, ye shall not find such a means of propitiating heaven. Oh strive ye to obtain t<mark>his</mark> inestimable treasure. "³. Is'ana, mentioned in t<mark>his</mark> inscription is the name of. ShivDevta God. (See The Sanskrit/English Dictionary by. Shivram Apte). . On the seventh Stupa the same writer quotes: 'Thus spake Devanampiya Piyadasi: "Wherefore from t<mark>his</mark> very hour, I have caused religious discourses to be preached, I have appointed religious observances that mankind, having listened thereto, shall be brought to follow in the right path, and give glory to God* (Is'ana). ". From these references it becomes obvious that the early sources portray Buddhaªs as a dedicated believer in. God (may He bless <mark>his</mark> soul). * The usage of the word God in singular is highly significant. 135