(A) 19 iyaṃ dhama-lipi Dev[ānaṃp]i[y]e[n]ā [P]iyadasinā lajinā likhapitā athi yevā sukhi20tena [a]thi majhimenā athi vithaṭenā
(B) no hi savatā save [gha]ṭite
(C) mahālake hi vi21jite bahu ca likhite lekhāpeśāmi ceva nikyaṃ
(D) athi cā hetā puna pun[ā] la[p]i22t[e] taśa taśā athaśā madhuliyāye yena jane tathā paṭipajeyā
(E) śe śāyā ata k[i]chi a23samati likhite diśā vā śaṃkheye kālanaṃ vā alocayitu li[p]ikalapaladhena vā
(A) These rescripts on morality have been caused to be written by king Devānāṁpriya Priyadarśin either in an abridged (form), or of middle (size), or at full length.
(B) For the whole was not suitable everywhere.
(C) For (my) dominions are wide, and much has been written, and I shall constantly cause still (more) to be written.
(D) And (some) of this has been stated again and again because of the charm of certain topics, (and) in order that men should act accordingly.
(E) But some of this may have been written incompletely, either on account of the locality, or because (my) motive was not liked, or by the-fault of the writer.
