Original Text
21 (A) Devanapriye Priyadraśi raya yaśo va kiṭri va no mahaṭhavaha mañati añatra yo pi yaśo kiṭri va ichati tadatvaye ayatiya ca jane dhrama-suśraṣa suśruṣatu me ti dharaṁma-vutaṁ ca anuvi[dhi]yatu (B) etakaye Devanapriye Priyadraśi raya yaśo kiṭri va
22 ichati (C) ya[ṁ] tu kici parakramati Devanaṁpriyo Priyadraśi raya taṁ sav[r]aṁ paratrikaye va kiti sakale aparisrave siyati (D) eṣe tu parisrave yaṁ apuñaṁ (E) dukare [tu] kho eshe khudrakena vagrena usaṭena va añatra agrena parakramena sava[ṁ] paritijitu (F) at[r]a chu usaṭe . . . . . . .
Translation
(A) King Devānaṁpriya Priyadarśin does not think that either glory or fame conveys much advantage, except whatever glory or fame he desires (on account of his aim) that in the present time, and in the future, men may (be induced) by him to practise obedience to morality, and that they may conform to the duties of morality.
(B) On this (account) king Devānaṁpriya Priyadarśin is desiring glory and fame.
(C) But whatever effort king Devānaṁpriya Priyadarśin is making, all that (is) only for the sake of (merit) in the other (world), (and) in order that all (men) may be free of danger.
(D) But the danger is this, viz. demerit.
(E) But it is indeed difficult for a lowly person or for a high one to accomplish this without great zeal (and without) laying aside every (other aim).
(F) But among these (two) . . . . . . . . . a high (person).
