South Indian Inscriptions

EPIGRAPHIA INDICA

of Mṛitaṇḍa.^[1] Knowing that he would take delight only in killing his enemies, that receptacle of sacred knowledge named him Paramâra. From that time his family received that name.

(V. 33.) In that lineage of kings there was first the illustrious Dhûmarâja, an Indra on earth, who made the kings acquainted with grief at the destruction of both flanks (of their armies, as Indra made the mountains feel the pangs of having their wings cut off).

(V. 34.) Then there were Dhandhuka, Dhruvabhaṭa and others, who defeated the hosts of hostile elephants. In their lineage there was born a beautiful man, surpassing the god of love, Râmadêva by name.

(V. 35.) Form this (king), who bathed the light of the moon in the waves of his fame abiding in the cavity between heaven and earth, sprang a son called Yaśôdhavala, who was not subject to the god of love, (and) who quickly killed Ballâla, the lord of Mâlava, when he had learned that he had become hostile to the Chaulukya king Kumârapâla.

(V. 36.) To him was born a son to be praised by all men, Dhârâvarsha, the edge of whose sword was indefatigable in cutting the necks of the hosts of his enemies. When he, inflamed with anger, held his ground on the battle-field, the wives of the lord of Kauṅkaṇa shed drops of tears from their lotus-like eyes.

(V. 37.) Evidently it is the son of Daśaratha that has been born again on earth as this (prince) of unchecked strength, (and) out of hatred, as it were, against Mârîcha^[2] even at the present time eagerly devotes himself to hunting.

(V. 38.) His younger brother Prahlâdana, whose sword was dexterous in defending the illustrious Gûrjara king when his power had been broken on the battle-field by Sâmantasiṁha, again displayed on earth the behavior of the greatest enemy of the descendants of Danu.^[3]

(V. 39.) I am not certain whether it is the goddess sprung from the lotus-seated (Brahman)^[4] or the celestial cow granting (every) wish that has come to the earth in the form of Prahlâdana.

(V. 40.) Long live this son of Dhârâvarsha, the illustrious Sômasiṁhadêva, who inherited bravery from his father, learning from his paternal uncle, and liberality from both of them !

(V. 41.) Having remitted the taxes of Brâhmaṇs and having vanquished the hosts of his foes, king Sômasiṁha soon obtained that fame the splendour of which in a certain way resembled that of the moon, as, though it brightened the surface of the earth, it did not remove the gloom (or the spottiness) from the face of all his enemies here who were fainting with envy.

(V. 42.) Long live his son Kṛishṇarâjadêva, whose splendour is beyond all measure, who is endowed with fame and compassion, (and) who (therefore) resembles the glorious Kṛishṇa, the son of Vasudêva, who is united with Yaśôdâ, (and) whose splendour is augmented by his mother !

Again ─ (V. 43.) No man equalling Vastupâla in family, in manners, is learning, in valour, and in the constant practice of charity comes anywhere within the range of my eyes.

(V. 44.) From the excellent minister Lalitâdêvî, his beloved wife, obtained a son by name Jayantasiṁha, who was not wanting in prudent conduct, as the daughter of Pulôman (obtained) Jayanta from Indra.

(V. 45.) Who is not touched in his heart by this Jaitrasiṁha, whose beauty is eager to defeat the god of love, (and) who (even) in childhood, which is averse to good manners and destitute of wisdom, shows prudence and politeness and the display of virtues ?
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^[1] I.e. the sun.
^[2] The demon Mârîcha in the shape of an antelope lured Râma away from Sîtâ.
^[3] Probably this expression refers to Vishṇu.
^[4] I.e. Sarasvatî, the goddess of learning.