(A) King Devānāṁpriya Priyadarśin speaks thus.
(B) In times past neither the disposal of affairs nor the submission of reports at any time did exist before.
(C) But I have made the following (arrangement).
(D) Reporters have to report to me the affairs of the people at any time (and) anywhere, while I am eating, in the harem, in the inner apartment, at the cowpen, in the palanquin, (and) in the park.
(E) And everywhere I am disposing of the affairs of the people.
(F) And also, if in the council (of Mahāmātras) a dispute arises, or an amendment is moved, in connexion with any donation or proclamation which I am ordering verbally, or (in connexion with) an emergent matter which has been, delegated to the Mahāmātras, it must be reported to me immediately, anywhere, (and) at any time.
See the two previous records
(G) Thus I have ordered.
(H) For I am never content in exerting myself and in dispatching business.
(I) For I consider it my duty (to promote) the welfare of all men.
(J) And the root of that (consists) in this, (viz.) exertion and the dispatch of business.
(K) For no duty is more important than (promoting) the welfare of all men.
(L) And whatever effort I am making, (is made) in order that I may discharge the debt (which I owe) to living beings, (that) I may make them happy in this (world), and (that) they may attain heaven in the other (world).
(M) For the following purpose has this [rescript on] morality been written, (viz. that) it may be of long duration, and (that) my sons (and) grandsons may display the same zeal for the welfare of all men.
(N) But it is indeed difficult to accomplish this without great zeal.
