(A) 13 Devānaṃpiye Piyadasi lājā ahā
(B) kayāne dukale
(C) e ādikale kay[ā]nasā se dukalaṃ kaleti
(D) se mamayā bahu kayāne kaṭ[e]
(E) t[ā ma]m[ā putā] c[ā] nat[āle cā] 14 palaṃ [cā] tehi [ye] apatiye [m]e āva-kapaṃ tathā anuvaṭisa[ṃ]ti s[e] s[u]kataṃ kachaṃ[t]i
(F) e cu het[ā] desaṃ pi hāpa[y]i[sat]i s[e] dukaṭam kachati
(G) p[ā]pe hi nāmā supadālaye
(H) se atikamtam aṃtalam no huta-puluva dhaṃ[ma]-mahāmatā nāma
(I) t[e]dasa-vasābh[i]sitena mamayā dhaṃmamahāmāt[ā ka]ṭ[ā]
(J) [te] sav[a]-pāsam[ḍe]su viyā[pa]ṭā 15 dhaṃ[m]ādhithā[nāye c]ā dhaṃma-vaḍhiya hi[da]-sukhāye vā dhamm[a]-yutas[ā] Yona-Kaṃb[o]ja-Gaṃdhālānaṃ e vā [pi] aṃne apalaṃtā
(K) bhaṭamayesu baṃbhanibhesu anathesu [v]udhesu hida-sukhāye dhaṃma-yutāye apalibodhāye viyapaṭā te
(L) baṃdha[na-badha]sā paṭividhānāy[e] apalibodhāye mokh[ā]ye cā eyaṃ anubadh[ā] pajāva ti v[ā] 16 [kaṭābhikā]le ti vā m[ah]ā[la]ke ti v[ā] viy[ā]paṭā te
(M) hid[ā] bā[h]ilesu cā naga[l]esu s[a]ves[u olodha]n[esu] bhā[tina]ṃ ca ne bh[agi]ni[nā] e vā [pi] aṃn[e] nātikye savatā viyā[pa]ṭā
(N) e iyaṃ dhaṃma-nisite ti vā dāna-suyute ti [v]ā sav[a]tā v[i]jtas[i] mamā [dha]ṃma-yutasi viyāpaṭā te dhaṃmam[a]hām[a]ta
(0) etāye aṭhāye 17 [i]yaṃ dhaṃma-lipi lekhitā ci[la]-thitikyā hotu [tathā] ca me [pa]jā [a]nuva[ta]tu
(A) King Devānāṁpriya 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 a portion of this (duty) will perform evil deeds.
(G) For sin indeed steps fast.
(H) Now, in times past (officers) called Mahāmātras of morality did not exist before.
(I) 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, arid for the welfare and happiness of those who are devoted to morality (even) among the Yonas, Kambojas, and Gandhālas, 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 releasing (them) from the fetters (of 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 our brothers, of (our) sisters, and (of) whatever other relatives (of ours 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 properly devoted to charity.
(O) For the following purpose has this rescript on morality been caused to be written, (viz. that) it may be of long duration, and (that) my descendants may conform to it.
