Original Text
19 (A) De[vanaṁ]priyena Priyadraśi raja eva[ṁ] aha (B) kalaṇa[ṁ] dukara[ṁ] (C) ye adikare kayaṇasa se dukaraṁ karoti (D) taṁ maya bahu [ka]yaṇe [ka]ṭe (E) [ta]ṁ ma[a] putra [ca] 20 natar[e] ca para ca t[e]na ye apatiye me [a]va-[ka]paṁ tatha anuvaṭiśati se sukaṭa ka[ṣa]ti (F) ye [cu] atra deśa pi hapeśati se dukaṭa kaṣati 21 (G) pape hi nama supadarave (H) s[e] atikrata[ṁ] a[ṁ]tara[ṁ] na bhuta-pruva dhrama-[ma]hamatra nama (I) se tredaśa-va[ṣa]bhisitena maya dhrama-mahamatra kaṭa (J) te savra-pa[ṣa]ḍeṣa 22 vapuṭa dhramadhitha[na]ye ca dhrama-vadhriya hida-sukhaye ca dh[r]ama-yutasa Yoma-Kaṁboja-Gadharana Raṭhika-Pitinikana ye va pi añe aparata (K) bha[ṭa]maye- 23 ṣu bramaṇibhyeṣu anatheṣu vudhreṣu hida-su[khaye] dhrama-yuta-apalibodhaye viya[p]uṭa te (L) badhana-badha[sa] pațivi[dhanay]e apalibodhaye mokṣy[e ca iyaṁ] 24 anubadha p[r]aja t[i] va kaṭrabhikara ti va mahalake ti va viyaprața te (M) hida bahireṣu ca nagareṣ[u] savreṣu [o]rodhaneṣu bhatana ca spas[u]na [ca] 25 ye va pi añe ñatike savratra viyapaṭa (N) [e] iyaṁ dhrama-niśito to va dhramadhithane ti va dana-saṁyute ti va savratra vijitasi maa dhrama-yutasi vapuṭa [te] 26 dhrama-mahamatra (O) etaye athraye ayi dhrama-dipi likhita cira-ṭhitika hotu tatha ca me praja anuvaṭatu Translation (A) King De[vanaṁ]priyena Priyadraśi speaks thus. (B) It is difficult to perform virtuous deeds. (C) He who starts performing virtuous deeds accomplishes something difficult. (D) Now, by me many virtuous deeds have been performed. (E) Therefore (among) my sons and grandsons and (among) my descendants who shall come after them until the end, those who will conform this (duty) will perform good deeds. (F) But he who will neglect even one portion of this (duty) will perform evil deeds. (G) For sin is easily committed. (H) Now, in times past (officer) called Mahāmātras of morality did not exist before. (I) But Mahāmātras of morality were appointed by me (when I had been) anointed thirteen years. (J) These are occupied with all sects in establishing morality, in promoting morality, and for the welfare and happiness of those who are devoted to morality (even) among the Yonas, Kamboyas, and Gandhāras among the Rathikas among the Pitinikas and whatever (other) western borders (of mine there are). (K) They are occupied with servants and masters, with Brāhmaṇas and Ibhyas, with the destitute (and) with the aged, for the welfare and happiness of those who are devoted to morality, (and) in freeing (them) from desire (for worldly life). (L) They are occupied in supporting prisoners (with money) in causing (their) fetters to be taken off, (and) in setting (them) free, (if) one has children (of mine there are). (M) They are occupier everywhere, here and in all the outlying towns, in the harems of my brothers, of (my) sisters and (of) one has children or is bewitched or aged respectively. (N) These Mahāmātras of morality are occupied everywhere in my dominions with those who are devoted to morality (in order to ascertain) whether one is eager for morality, or established in morality, or furnished with gifts. (O) For the following purpose has this rescript on morality been written (viz. that) it may be of long duration, and (that) my descendants may conform to it.