North Indian Inscriptions

INSCRIPTIONS OF THE SILAHARAS OF NORTH KONKAN

..(V. 27) (Now), when the enemy has been exterminated by him by his might, good people are living happily, the meritorious are hilarious, the laws laid down by him have become authoritative, the (whole) world, which had experienced anguish, is dancing (for joy), and the subjects are delighted in the company of their sons, relatives and friends.

.. (V. 28) Here is that (King) who has amassed religious merit, who has raised the level of diplomacy, who has recourse to justice in governing the kingdom, who spends his time splendidly in bestowing gifts on worthy recipients, who has an intelligent and pure mind, whose vehemence is irresistible on the battle-field, who treats ladies courteously, who has cleverness and discrimination in plenty, and whose rising prowess is spreading (all round) ;

..(V. 29) Who is the sole resort of truthfulness, whom heroic spirit clings to, who is (very) courageous, and to whom people give their blessings every day; who takes delight in all pleasures; whose liberality is noble; (and ) in whom dwell together the goddesses of Fortune and Learning and also extraordinary bright Glory.

.. (V. 30) His offspring, Vikramādityadēva obtained the kingdom of Praṇāla, though there were other sons of (his father ). Though there were (numerous) jewels of the milk-ocean, only one of them, the Kaustubha, became the companion of Śrī (the goddess of fortune), (when she was churned out of the ocean).

.. (Line 38) Now, while the Mahāmaṇḍalēśvarādhipati, the illustrious Aparādityadēva− who, by his religious merit, has obtained the five mahāśabdas and who is adorned with all royal titles such as ‘the Emperor of the Vidyādhara race’, ‘the Lord of the town of Tagara’ ‘a king of the Śilāhāra family’, ‘ a scion of the race of Jīmūtavāhana’, ‘(he) who has an ensign of the Golden Garuḍa’, ‘(he) who is an ocean of pride’, ‘(he) who has surpassed the world in liberality,’ ‘(he) who is foremost among heroes’, ‘(he) who causes the hostile army to tremble’, ‘(he) who is (the god) Brahmā among kings,’ ‘the Lord of the Western Ocean’, ‘an adamantine cage for such as seek refuge with him’ and so forth−is shining and ruling over the entire Kōṅkaṇa country consisting of fourteen hundred villages headed by Purī, and while the Mahāmātya, the illustrious Khētama Ṭhakkura is bearing the burden of the cares of the whole administration made over by his grace, and while the Mahāpradhāna, the illustrious Śaṅkara Nāyaka is bearing the burden of the administration of (the country of) Praṇālaka, and while the government is managed by the Sāndhivigrahika, the illustrious . . . [1], the Senior Government Treasury Officer, the Mahāpradhāna, the illustrious Lakshmaṇaiyaprabhu, and the Junior Government Treasury Officer, the illustrious. . . [2], at such a time the Mahāmaṇḍalēśvarādhipati, the illustrious King Aparādityadēva (I) addresses, with salutation, honour, respect and command, all assembled princes, councellors, the family priest, the Amātyas, the principal and subordinate officers as well as the heads of rāshṭras, vishayas, towns and villages, royal servants, whether (formally ) appointed or not, and villagers as follows :‒

..“ Be it known to you‒

.. (V. 31) Prosperity is unstable, youth is momentary, and life lies in the jaws of Death. And still, people are indifferent to the acquisition of the other world. Oh ! How astonishing is this action of theirs !

.. And it has been said by the holy Vyasa [3]‒

.. (V. 32) Unions are followed by separations. All that is produced is transitory. The body is subject to death, (and ) prosperity is attended by adversity.

.. (V. 33) Life continues (only) so long as breathing continues, (and) that breathing consists of air. Nothing is more agile than air. (So) it is a wonder that man lives !
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[1] Here some space is left blank for the name of the minister.
[2] Here also the name has not been written.
[3] As most of these verses do not occur in other charters, their translation is given here.