South Indian Inscriptions

EPIGRAPHIA INDICA

(V. 6.) From him originated a certain bulb (which was the origin) of a race[1] of kings, the auspicious jewel-lamp to the three worlds, the body of which is the Vêḍa,^[2] which was a fire destroying the forest of darkness, the cause, moreover, of fixing quarters and times.

(V. 7.) The divine Manu quickly descended from thence, he who first acquired the title of king, who had plenty of virtues, (and) who composed all the rulers of policy, in order to rule this (world), like the primeval spirit (Vishṇu) who resides in the orb of that (sun).

(V. 8) In this family of Manu were many kings who made their fame rush along like torrents, ^[3] rulers even of heaven and earth who laid down the principles of (just) policy without opposition.

(V. 9) In that family was king Kalikâla who constructed the banks of the Kâvêrî. When (he) had lifted Mount Mêru with his play-staff, the quarters were greatly disturbed.

(V. 10) In his race was born he who, after his conquest of Madhurâ getting renowned by the name of Madhurântaka, cruelly caused the Pâṇḍya women to take off completely their ornaments (so that they were) as before (when they had been wearing fine pearl ornaments) ;^[4]

(V. 11.) Who, crowned with victory (and) famous for the strength of (his) arm, after having founded in (the country of) the Andhras the town called Pottapi, bore the title of Chôḷa preceded by that (name).

(V. 12.) In his race (was) that king Tiluṅgavidya who erected the famous pillar adorned with a waving banner of fame at Ujyapurî ; I am sure, it is since that time that the sun tarries for a moment in the midst of the sky,^[5] (his) charioteer^[6] stopping out brotherly affection, when he perceives the Garuḍa at the top of that (column).

(V. 13.) (Born) in his family, king Siddhi ruled the earth, on whose arms and on whose feet depended the life of his clients and that of his enemies (respectively).

(V. 14.) His younger brother was the mighty king Betta. To him also were born sons who defended those who asked them for protection.

(V. 15.) The eldest of them, king Dâyabhîma, whose hand was reddened by pulling the hair of the goddesses of royal fortune belonging to (his) enemies, ruled the earth.

(V. 16.) His younger brother (was) king Èrasiddhi, who, having driven far away the Kali (age), determined, as it were, to prevent its return, piled up his abundant fame like a wall of crystal at the ends of the quarters.

(V. 17.) He had three sons, rulers of the globe, (attired) with the brilliant jewel of heroism. Attended by them who was full of energy, the father shone for along time like Triṇêtra^[7] with his beaming (three) eyes.

(V. 18.) The eldest of these, the lord [Manmasiddhi, ruled the earth, the dark-blue limits of which were the briny ocean The dark-blue sky became a cuckoo in the cage (which was) his continually rising fame.
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^[1] Or ‘a cane.’ The sun from which the solar dynasty descends is compared to a bulb with a sprouting shoot.
^{[ 2]}With chhandas-tanuḥ compare such epithets of the sun as vêd-âṅgaḥ in Mahâbh. 3, 3, 19, or vêda-mûrtiḥ in the Mârkaṇḍêyapurâṇa, 102, 22. The latter passage contains also an account of the origin of this appellation.
^[3] The term nirjjhara is used in allusion to the second meaning of kshamâbhṛit, ‘a mountain.’
^[4] The pun contained in the word nitânta-mukt-âbharaṇâḥ, the correct interpretation of which I owe to Dr. Hultzsch, can hardly be rendered in English. In the first case the compound must be taken as nitântaṁ muktâny âbharaṇâni yâbhiḥ, in the second as nitântâ muktâ âbharaṇâni yâsâm.
^[5] The compound madhyê-vyôma is formed in accordance with Pâṇini, 2, 1, 18. Prof. Kielhorn, who drew my attention to this rule, quotes as an analogous case madhyê-dinam, ‘in the midst of the day,’ in Trivikramabhaṭṭa’s Damayantîkathâ, in the first prose passage after I. 30 (p. 15 of the Nirṇayasâgara Press edition)
^[6] The charioteer of the sun is Aruṇa or Anûru, the son of Kaśyapa and Vinatâ, and brother of Garuḍa.
^[7] I.e. Śiva.