North Indian Inscriptions

INSCRIPTIONS OF THE KALACHURIS OF RATANPUR

RATANPUR STONE INSCRIPTION OF PRITHTIDEVA 11: YEAR 915

(V. 35) He made a large and lovely lake at the village called Charauya and [a beautiful temple of Śiva] at Tējallapura.

(V. 36) At the town of Kumarākōṭa he made another lovely temple of (Siva) the husband of Parvatī, resplendent like the mass of his own fame.

(V. 37) He himself planted a grove of mango trees which, with their very dense shade, removes the heat (of the sun) and with its multitude of fruits reached by the hand, pleases travellers, and where the knot of stubborn reserve of proud young ladies gives way at the imperious command of the god of love, which is begun ( to be communicated) by the mingling sweet notes of the warbling cuckoos.

(V. 38) Having partaken, to their hearts' content, of the various kinds of foods and drinks as desired in the charitable feeding house of the great sacrificer, such loud cries of pilgrims daily make the circle of regions resound (viʐ .,) . . . .

(V. 39) To the god Sōmanātha the pious one granted this [village] Lōṇākara together with all taxes . . . .

(V. 40) There was the learned [Ananta]pāla of extensive fame, born in the Gauḍa lineage, who mastered the paths of poets, who always secured a place at the head of good people, whose thoughts were rendered pure by his knowledge [of the contents of the Vēdas] who was clever in [literary] discussions, who attained renown in the department of records (and) was the play-house of fortune.

(V. 41) [From him] was born Tribhuvanapāla who gives shelter to all Brāhmaṇas and who, being a treasure of arts, has (all) his desires completely fulfilled, even as from the milky ocean is produced the moon which, being the repository of digits, exceedingly adorns all quarters and maintains all (chakōra) birds.^¹

(V. 42) The learned Tribhuvanapāla has composed this praśasti (eulogy) resembling a lake,__ which is full of flavour (as a lake has abundant water), is profound (as a lake is deep) and clear, and is pleasing to the thoughts of poets.

(V. 43) The wise Kumārapāla who has attained excellent in learning and fine arts, has with eagerness written this praśasti resembling a necklace of pearls,-which has the merit of (being composed in) good meters (as the necklace has that of having wellrounded pearls),which is rich in merits (as the necklace is in threads), which (like the necklace) appears brilliant and is full of deep sentiments (as the necklace is possessed of grant charm).^²

(V. 44) This pleasant praśasti abounding in sentiments, is incised in beautiful letters by the skilful and best sculptors named Dhanapati and Īśvara.

(V. 45) As long as the moon, the gem of the sky and the crest-jewel of (Śiva) the lord of Chaṇḍī, makes the orb (of the earth) white with its dense rays, as long as the lotus-dwelling (goddess of fortune) rests on the breast of the god who is distinguished by the (mace) Kaumōdakī (i.e., of Vishṇu),-even so long may this bright temple^³ shine on the orb of the earth.!

...................................................................The Year 915
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¹ There is a play on three expressions here which are intended to be constructed with Tribhuvanapāla and the moon.
² The expressions in the first hemistich of his verse are, on account of double entendre, intended to be constructed with the praśasti (eulogy) as well as the hār-āvalī (pearl-necklace).
³ The text has kīrti which means 'any work of public utility, calculated to render famous the name of the constructor of it.' See C. I. I., Vol. III, p. 212, n. 6. It probably refers here to the temple of Sōmanātha mentioned in verses 36 and 39.