North Indian Inscriptions

RANGANATHA INSCRIPTION OF SUNDARA-PANDYA.

......(V. 15.) The king who was the Chief of the world (and) the conqueror of (all) foes, made for the god Madhuripu (Vishṇu) at Raṅga a large movable trough (prapâ) of gold, which, like the dawn, indicates, by masses of rays that are spreading on all sides, that the moon of his fames is rising simultaneously in (all) the eight cardinal points.

......(V. 16.) The Sun among kings made for the highest being which is fond of staying at Raṅga, a golden (image of) Suparṇa (Garuḍa), by whose bright splendour, as (by that) of (his) elder brother,¹ a permanent dawn appears to reign in the world.

......(V. 17.) The Sun among kings placed on the body of Kaṁsadvish (Vishṇu), who reposes at Raṅga, a golden under-garment. Covered by its rays, the Creator, who rests on (the god’s) navel, appears to dwell once more in the golden egg (from which he was produced).

......(V. 18.) The Sun among kings gave to the lord Raṅga a lofty golden aureola (prabhâ-valaya) of great beauty, which, placed near him, resembles a lovely group of blowing aśôka (trees), with tamâla (trees) between.

......(V. 19.) Placed on the golden pedestal (pîṭhî), which the Sun among kings had given (to him), (and) which was adorned with various jewels, and bearing the lofty aureola (prabhâ), the lord of Raṅga surpasses a black cloud which bears a rainbow (and) rests on the peak of the Golden Mountain (Mêru).

......(V. 20.) In the month of Chaitra, the Sun among kings celebrated for Raṅgin the processsion-festival (yâtr-ôtsava), which is praiseworthy on account of bright, wonderful, and prosperous days. It is no wonder (that) those who possess intelligence, rejoice, when even the trees, which are devoid of intelligence, are in high glee (or in full flower).

......(V. 21.) In order to celebrate the festival of the sporting (vihâr-ôtsava) of (the god) who dwells at Raṅga, with Kamalâ (Lakshmî), king Sundara-Pâṇḍyadêva built of hold a new ship. Through the trees which grow on the banks (and) which are covered with its (the ship’s) splendour, the daughter of the Kavêra (mountain)² resembles the Mandâkinî (Gaṅgâ), whose banks are adorned with groups of mandâra trees.

......(V. 22.) The Sun among kings, who had covered the circle of the coast that formed the surrounding wall of the earth, which had become (his) residence, with the fame of his victories,— covered the high inner wall of the shrine (sadman) of Śârṅgin, who is the lord of Raṅga, with masses of gold, which (he) had brought from (his) wars.

......(V. 23.) The large (and) long dining-hall (abhyavahâra-maṇḍapa),³ which king Sundara-Pâṇḍya had constructed in front (of the shrine) of the god who is the lord of Raṅga, did not suffice for accommodating the golden vessels (parichchhada), which, taking away the wealth of kings, that same (king) had provided.

......(V. 24.) The Sun among kings placed on the body of the lord of Raṅga, from the feet to the crest, ornaments of jewels, through which Padmâ (Lakshmî), though leaning on his breast, appears to have again entered the mine of jewels (i.e. the ocean, from which she arose).

......(V. 25.) While, having crushed the enemies of order in war, Sundara-Pâṇḍyadêva, whose bow was (ever) ready for action, protected the world,- the golden armour which he gave to Vishṇu, who dwells at Raṅga, was a (mere) ornament.⁴
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......¹ Aruṇa, the charioteer of the Sun.
......² i.e. the Kâvêrî river. Compare verse 28.
......³ The author uses maṇḍapa as a neuter, which suggests that he was a Southerner.
......⁴ The armour was not required in earnest, as the king bad already destroyed the dharmadvishaḥ (enemies of order, or demons), with whom Vishṇu formerly used to fight.