North Indian Inscriptions

INSCRIPTIONS OF THE KALACHURIS OF RATANPUR

RAJIM STONE INSCRIPTION OF PRITHVIDEVA II : YEAR 896

(V. 14) During the reign of the king, the illustrious Ratnadēva (II), he had his body red like vermilion in the land of Talahāri. By his very valiant deeds he fulfilled his vow and indeed acquired the true name of Jagatsiṁha (the Lion of the world).

(V. 15) He made greater (exploits) during the reign of the king Pṛithvīdēva (II). He captured Saraharāgaḍha, the great fort (pre-eminent among all) inaccessible fortresses

(V. 16) Jagapāla is to his enemies as the scent-elephant is (to ordinary elephants),- (he) who again took the fort of Machakā-Sihav¬ā and the country of Bhramaravadra and achieved prowess by his arm;

(V. 17) Who conquered with ease Kāntāra (the forest-country), Kusumabhōga, Kāndā-ḍōṅgara and the country of Kākayara.

(V. 18) Bearing the splendor of Rāma in the absence of Rāmadēva(?)¹ (he) established Jagapālapura in the new country.

(V. 19) Resembling the son of Kuntī (i. e., Yudhishṭhira) in religious merit in the Kali age, Jīmūtavāhana in (adherence to) truth, Rāma in valour, and the son of the Sun (i. e., Karṇa) in liberality;

(V. 20) Conversant with the duty of a Kshatriya, truthful, reverent to Brāhmaṇas, god and fire, listening to (the recitations of) the Purāṇas, Āgamas and Śāstras such as the Bhārata and others ;

(V. 21) Reading all (works) such as the Rāmāyaṇa, (being) the support of living beings, self-respecting, conferring gifts on Brāhmaṇa families for their learning ;

(V. 22) Such is Jagapāla. He has caused this beautiful temple to be constructed for manifesting the splendor of Rāma.

(V. 23) He has granted a village named Śālmalīya to provide for offerings of food (to the enshrined deity). Those who will become kings (in the future) will always preserve (this gift).

(Line 15) The owner of this temple is the holy and illustrious Muktātman, who is engaged in practicing self-control, vows, the study of the sacred texts and meditation.

(V. 24) The younger brother of Jagapāla (is) Gājala, a valiant archer and des- troyer of the wicked, (who is) dreadful to the hosts of (his) foes.

(V. 25) His younger brother, born after him, is Jayasiṁha by name, a warrior and archer of the type of Arjuna, who has destroyed (his) foes.

(V. 26) There is also another (brother)^² Dēvarāja by name, who has been promi- nent during the three reigns. With the help of these (three) adherents, Jagapāla has subdued the earth.

(Line 17) Here ends the praśasti (eulogy) composed by the Ṭhakkura, the illustri- ous Jasānanda, 2 devout worshipper of Mahēśvara and Vishṇu, who belongs to the family hailing from the city of Ayōdhyā, who has devoted himself to the service of Brāhmaṇas, gods, and (religious) teaches, who is a wise man possessed of devotion and who, (though) possessed of no (poetic) talent, is a servant of great poets.

And this (eulogy) has been written and also incised by the artisan, the illustrious Ratnapāla.

(L. 18) Written on Wednesday on the (tithi called) rathāshṭamī in the bright fortnight of the month Māgha in the Kalachuri year 896.
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¹ I am not certain about the meaning of the first half of this verse.
² See above, p. 452, n. 8.