North Indian Inscriptions

INSCRIPTIONS OF THE SILAHARAS OF KOLHAPUR

TRANSLATION

Success !

..(Verse 1). Victorious is the manifested Boar-form of Vishṇu, which agitated the ocean, and which had the earth resting on the tip of its right uplifted tusk.

.. (V. 2). There was formerly a Vidyādhara, Jīmūtavāhana by name, who offered his life to Garuḍa for the sake of others.

.. (V. 3). There is this family, called Śilāhāra, of the kings who were lords of Tagara. In that family was born king Jatiga (I), the crest-jewel of princes.

.. (V. 4). Hail ! There was a king, Nāyimma by name, who was the son of the illustrious king Jatiga. His son was Chandrarāja of great fame. His son verily was Jatiga (II), eulogised by the people of the (whole) world. His illustrious son was Gōṅkalla, (and) that king’s son on the earth was the illustrious king Mārasiṁha.

..(V.5). His son, whose feet were fondled by the crowns of princes, was a king named the illustrious Gūvala (II). His brother, king Bhōjadēva (I), a lion to the elephants that were his enemies, governed his kingdom here uninterruptedly, being of great fame, like the lord of Laṅkā.

.. (V. 6). Who, having himself captured a number of impregnable forts, defeated Gōvinda and Kōṅkaṇa . . . . . .

.. (V. 7). His younger brother, King Ballāladēva, of renowned power, was like him. He, the lord of the Lady of royal fortune, to whom the kings of the earth submitted, always spread his well-known power in the different directions.

.. (V. 8). His younger brother became well-known by the name of Gaṇḍarāditya‒ (he) who was the supporter of religion on the earth ; who made all people conform to their respective duties; who was the foremost among those who were in the forefront by their courage; and who gave away abundant wealth in charity.

.. (V. 9). He, by his anonymous gifts, is engaged day after day in giving protection to various beings (who are) distressed, helpless, poor, miserable, maimed and scattered. He bestows gifts such as those of skins of the black antelopes, cows, land and parturient cows; his heart is always engaged in contemplation on Brahman, and he is a veritable wish-fulfilling tree to the Brāhmaṇas.

.. (V. 10). He has performed the sixteen vows such as the Tulāpurusha gift, and by his merits he is the sole abode of the fame of Gāṅgēya (Bhīshma) in respect of morally pure conduct.

.. (V. 11). Then was born his son Vijayārkadēva, a lion to the lordly elephants that were his powerful feudatories, a unique warrior in the three worlds, whose bright fame was manifested by (his) foot-stool rubbed by the foreheads of the hostile princes.

.. (V. 12). His wealth was acquired for bestowing it in charity; he fulfilled his vow of
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[1] These aksharas are read here correctly for the first time.
[2] Dikshit read तस्यां वीचीक्षयोक्षय:. This misses the reference to the hell called अवीचि. The intended sense is that human life wears away every moment, though one may be treated by an eminent physician. Whoever will dispossess a Brāhmaṇa of his gift will have to dwell for ever in the Avīchi hell. For Avīchi, see above, No. 3, line 4.