VIII. Notes on the Edicts of Aśoka

The phrase ete ca amne ca bahukā mukhā dānavisagasi vyāpaṭā = ete ca anye ca bahukā mukhā (masc.) dānamsarge vyāpṛtāh , occurring in Pillar Edict VII–VIII, 6, is rendered by M. Senart “these functionaries and others are my intermediaries: it is they who are occupied with the distribution of my alms …” ( Inscriptions de Piyadasi , ii, p. 97), and it is explained (pp. 91–2) that the employment of the word mukha is similar to that of dvāra in the sense of “means” (separate Orissa Edicts, i, 3).