(A) 11 Devanapriyo Priyadraśi raya eva[ṃ] hahati
(B) ka[la]na[ṃ] dukara[ṃ]
(C) [yo] a[dikaro kala]ṇasa so du[ka]raṃ karoti
(D) so maya bahu kalaṃ ki[ṭ]raṃ
(E) taṃ maa putra ca nataro ca para[ṃ] ca [tena y]e me apaca vrakśaṃti ava-kapaṃ tatha ye an[u]vaṭisaṃti te s[u]kiṭa[ṃ] kaśaṃti
(F) yo cu ato .. kaṃ pi hapeśadi so dukataṃ kaśati
(G) pāpaṃ h[i] sukaraṃ
(H) sa atikrataṃ atara no bhuta-pruva dhraṃma-ma[ha]ma[tra] nama
(I) so todaśa-vaśabhisitena 12 maya dhrama-mahamatra kiṭa
(J) te savra-praśarṃḍeś[u] vapaṭa dhraṃmadhithanaye ca dhrama-vaḍhiya hida-sukhaye ca dhrama-yutasa Yona-Kaṃboya-Gaṃdharanaṃ Raṭhikanaṃ Pitinikanaṃ ye va pi aparaṃta
(K) bhaṭamayeśu bramaṇibheśu anatheśu vuḍheśu [hita]sukhaye [dhraṃ]ma-yutasa apalig[o]dha vap[a]ṭa te
(L) 13 badhana-badhasa paṭividhanay[e] apalibodhaye mo[kśaye] ayi anuba .. prajava kiṭabhikaro va mahalake va viyapaṭa [t]e
(M) ia bhahireśu ca nagareśu savreśu orodhaneśu bhratuna ca me spasan ca ye va pi aṃñe ñatika savatra viyapuṭa
(N) y[e] ayaṃ dh[r]amaniśite ti va dhrama[dhitha]ne ti va dana-s[a]yute ti va savata vijite maa dhramayu[ta]si viyapaṭa te dhrama-mahamatra
(O) eta ye aṭhaye [a]yi dhrama-dipi nipista c[i]ra-thitika bhot[u] ta[tha] ca [m]e 18 p[r]aja anuvatatu
(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 one {portion) of this (duty) will perform evil deeds.
(G) For sin is easily committed.
(H) Now, in times past (officers) called Mahāmātras of motality 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 Brahmaṇas 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.
