In plain words
The emperor Aśoka said, ‘Sit down.’ The king of the western land came. ‘King, I could not bring anything. For there have been no timely rains in the kingdom. There have been no timely harvests. So I am not able to put the people to hardship. This time I have brought nothing,’ he said. ‘I am glad; sit down,’ he said. The king from the southern land came. ‘This time I raised the taxes and cut the expenses; when there were disturbances I put down the disturbances, put those who stirred them up in jail, made my kingdom calm, and have come,’ he said. ‘All right, sit down,’ he said. Then the king of Magadha rose quietly. ‘King! I have brought you only my Prema. The welfare of the people is my own welfare. Mindful of the people's well-being, I have built up schools and hospitals for the poor. Water to drink is a great need; I had wells dug. I had tanks built. I had canals dug. So that the people should suffer no hardship of any kind, I took their well-being as my own and spent their money on them. All the people are very happy. I did not cut any official's salary. I gave the officials due encouragement and support, gave the money to them, and charged them, “Build up the welfare of the people.” For your birthday I bring and give you only Prema. I offer you the well-being of my kingdom. All the people are living in peace and happiness,’ he submitted. The emperor Aśoka was overjoyed. He called his retinue and gave this king of Magadha a great prize such as no one had ever received. What does this mean? Emperors of Dharma must keep the welfare of the people alone in view. They must develop only what the people need. He had rest houses built. He had village halls built. He had the roads repaired. He built up the schools. For health he had hospitals built. He gave water to drink. These are what daily life most needs. When these are there, no disturbances of any kind arise among the people.