Original Text
11 (A) Devanapriyo Priyadraśi raya eva[ṁ] hahati (B) ka[la]ṇa[ṁ] dukara[ṁ] (C) [yo] a[dikaro kala]ṇasa so du[ka]raṁ karoti (D) so maya bahu kalaṁ ki[ṭ]raṁ (E) taṁ maa putra ca nataro ca para[ṁ] ca [tena y]e me apaca vrakshaṁti ava-kapaṁ tatha ye an[u]vaṭiśaṁti te s[u]kiṭa[ṁ] kaṣaṁti (F) yo cu ato . . kaṁ pi hapeśadi so dukaṭaṁ kaṣati (G) papaṁ h[i] sukaraṁ (H) sa atikrataṁ atara no bhuta-pruva dhraṁma-ma[ha]ma[tra] nama (I) so todaśa-vaṣabhisitena
12 maya dhrama-mahamatra kiṭa (J) te savra-paṣaṁḍesh[u] vapaṭa dhraṁmadhithanaye ca dhrama-vaḍhiya hida-sukhaye ca dhrama-yutasa Yona-Kaṁboya-Gaṁdharanaṁ Raṭhikanaṁ Pitinikanaṁ ye va pi aparaṁta (K) bhaṭamayeṣu bramaṇibheṣu anatheṣu vuḍheṣu [hita]-sukhaye [dhraṁ]ma-yutasa apalig[o]dha vap[a]ṭa te
13 (L) badhana-badhasa paṭividhanay[e] apalibodhaye mo[kṣaye] ayi anuba . . prajava kiṭabhikaro va mahalake va viyapaṭa [t]e (M) ia bahireṣu ca nagareṣu savreṣu orodhaneṣu bhratuna ca me spasana ca ye va pi amñe ñatika savatra viyapuṭa (N) y[e] ayaṁ dh[r]ama-niśite ti va dhrama[dhitha]ne ti va dana-s[a]yute ti va savata vijite maa dhrama-yu[ta]si viyapaṭa te dhrama-mahamatra (O) etaye aṭhaye [a]yi dhrama-dipi nipista ch[i]ra-thitika bhot[u] ta[tha] ca [m]e p[r]aja anuvatatu
Translation
(A) King Devānaṁpriya Priyadarśin 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 æon (of destruction of the world), those who will conform to 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 (officers) 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 Raṭhikas, among the Pitinikas and whatever (other) western borderers (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, or is bewitched, or aged, respectively.
(M) They are occupied everywhere, here and in all the outlying towns, in the harems of my brothers, of (my) sisters, and (of) whatever other relatives (of mine there are).
(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.
