South Indian Inscriptions

EPIGRAPHIA INDICA

pre-eminent wealth, were the rational ornament of a ruler (who wished to be) an ornament of his family, kings thought to be indeed Kâkustha,^[1] the friend of the gods, descended here.

(V. 29.) As herds of deer, oppressed by the heat, when they enter a cluster of trees, have their minds delighted by the enjoyment of the shade and find comfort, so kinsmen with their belongings, who were waylaid by the stronger, had their minds relieved and found shelter, when they entered his territory.

(V. 30.) And in his house which contained manifold collections of choice wealth, the gateways of which were perfumed with the rutting juice of lordly elephants in rut, (and) which gaily resounded with music, the lady Fortune delighted to stay steadfast, for very lang.

(V. 31.) This sun of a king by means of his rays ─ his daughters ─ caused to expand the splendid lotus-groups ─ the royal families of the Guptas and others, the filaments of which were attachment, respect, love and reverence (for him), and which were cherished by many bees ─ the kings (who served them).^[2]

(V. 32.) Now to him, favoured by destiny, of no mean energy, endowed with the there powers,^[3] the crest-jewels of neighbouring princes bowed down (even) while he was sitting quiet ─ they who could not be subdues by the other five measures of royal policy together.^[4]

(V. 33.) Here, at the home of perfection of the holy primeval god Bhava,^[5] which is frequented by groups of Siddhas, Gandharvas and Rakshas, which is ever praised with auspicious recitations of sacred texts by Brâhmaṇ students solely devoted to manifold vows, sacrifices and initiatory rites, (and) which was worshipped with faith by Sâtakarṇi and other pious kings seeking salvation for themselves, that king Kâkusthavarman has caused to be made this great tank, a reservoir for the supply of abundant water.

(V. 34.) Abiding by the excellent commands of that (king’s) own son, the wide-famed glorious king Śântivarman whose beautiful body is made radiant by the putting on of three fillets, Kubja has written this poem of his own on the surface of the stone.

Obeisance to the holy Mahâdêva^[5] who dwells at Sthânakundûra ! May joy attend this place, inhabited by men come from all the neighbourhood ! Blessed be the people !
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No. 6. ─ JUNAGADH ROCK INSCRIPTION OF RUDRADAMAN ;

THE YEAR 72.

BY PROFESSOR F. KIELHORN, C.I.E. ; GÖTTINGEN.

This inscription was first edited, with a translation and small lithograph, in April 1838, by Mr. James Prinsep, in Journal As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. VII. p. 338 ff. and Plate xv.,^[6] from a facsimile which at the suggestion of the Rev. Dr. J. Wilson of Bombay had been prepared by
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^[1] The proper spelling of this word in literature is Kâkutstha. The mythical being referred to probably is Râma.
^[2] The general idea expressed in the above is very common ; compare e.g., in a Kadamba inscription, Ind. Ant. Vol. VII. p. 37, line 13 of the text, svajana-kumudavana-prabôdhana-śaśâṅkaḥ, and in another inscription, above, Vol. VII. p. 297, line 4 of the text, kula-kumudavana-lakshmî-vibôdhanaś=chandramâ iva. Whether our author has been very successful in elaborating that idea in detail, the reader may judge for himself ; he may compare Ragh, XVII. 48, where the spies of a king are compared to the rays (dîdhiti) of the sun ; and, for the lotus-groups, filaments, bees, and the sun’s rays, Kir IV. 14. The word duhitṛi of the verse must of course denote the king’s daughters ; and what the poet wishes to say can only be that they were given in marriage to the Gupta and other kings.
^[3] Viz. the powers of mastery, good counsel, and energy ; see above, Vol. VI. p. 10, note 7.
^[4] For the six guṇâḥ, i.e. measures of royal policy, see e.g. Râm. II. 100. 69, Ragh. VIII. 21, Śiś. II. 26, and Manu VII. 160 ff. One of them, âsana, ‘ sitting quiet halting,’ we have in the word âsana-stham of our verse ; the five others are alliance, war, marching, dividing the army, and seeking protection.
^[5] I.e. Śiva.
^[6] Compare also ibid. Plate xix.