South Indian Inscriptions

EPIGRAPHIA INDICA

No. 15, Plate I. (K. 13, 14).
Chaitya cave. Above a pair of figure at the right corner of the verandah.

TEXT.
Bhadasamasa bhikahusa deyadhama mithûna (1) ve (2).

REMARKS.

(1) Though the fac-similes in CTI. have only a trace of the long û, it seems to me very probable from the new estampages that the writer formed an û, as in the following inscription which to all appearances is written in the same hand. One might feel inclined to believe that the letter is only an exceptional form of the short u ; but in No. 1 we have found clearly ûtama beside Bhutapâla, and in No. 13 there are several district instances of long û. We must therefore transcribe the sign by û, without forgetting─ what is attested by many cases and notably by the numerous inscriptions with do not make any distinction between the long and the short vowel ¬─ how negligent our inscriptions are in marking vowels.─ (2) Though this inscription is closely connected with the following one, I do not believe, after minute examination, that, as my predecessors thought, the two inscriptions are absolutely identical. In No. 16 the reading is free from doubt. The same is not the case here. The last letter, which has been read n, looks rather like v with the vowel e, and in the crack between thû and ve there is room for the final n of mithûna. It looks as if an ṇ with â could be distinguished. One might even believe that one sees a distinct nâ subscribed to this damaged character, as if the letter above had been spoiled by some accident and subsequently restored below the line. At any rate it seems to me wrong to transcribe the last letter otherwise than by ve.

TRANSLATION.

“ Two pairs, the pious gift of the Bhikshu Bhadasama.”

If my impression regarding the reading of this inscription is justified, the proposed translation would be certain. In the presence of the following inscription, it would have to be assumed that the donor originally had the intention to perpetuate his double gift by only single mention, but that on second thoughts he added his name a second time on the other pillar. As regards the form v.e, we find be = dvau in Nâsik No. 4, l. 3, and No. 12, l. 3, and do in Nâsik No. 26, l. 3.

No. 16, Plate i. (K. 13, 14).

Chaitya cave. On the inner side of the right hand screen of the verandah ; above a pair of figure.

TEXT.

Bhadasamasa bhikhusa deyadhamaṁ (1) mithûnaṁ (2).

REMARKS.

(1) AS. and CTI. ºdhama ; but the anusvâra seems to me sufficiently clear.─ (2) AS. and CTI. ºthûna ; compare the preceding inscription.

TRANSLATION.

“ (This) pair (is) the pious gift of the hikshu Bhadasama.” No. 17, Plate i. (K. 15).

Chaitya cave. On the wall to the right of the central door (close to the rail pattern).