Epigraphia Indica Vol 21

SR No.: 032575
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hirananda Shastri
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India
Publication Year: 1931
Total Pages: 398
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 18 MB

Page 183

182
EPIGRAPHIA INDICA.
[VOL. XXI.
placed the earth under obligation by bestowing riches on the qualified (and) who had adorned the faces of the quarters by his fame.
V. 10. Who betimes, was like Kumāra (i.e., Kärttikēya), whose one hand was manifested in pouring libations on high tongues of fire (as Kumāra's one hand was engaged in pacifying his fierce peacock), who had always abjured the company of women, who had shown the effect of his own power (or weapons) on exalted kings (or high mountains), who was devoted to (Siva), the enemy of the mind-born (i.e., Kāma) (as Kumara was the favourite of Siva) and who had performed (all) the duties towards the gods (just as Kumāra carried out the slaughter of the demon Taraka, a duty imposed upon him by the gods).
В V. 11. Who, after investigating all the scriptures acquired the knowledge of God through meditation and performance of religious duties), who living on greens (däka), roots of water plants (tålūka) and fruits such as āmalaka, priyāla as well as roots (müla), caused the world to wonder by practising austerities, even in (his) boyhood on the bank (lit. on the surface of land) washed by the river (Sona), imitating his spiritual preceptor.
V. 12. Who, having obtained greatness acted in a friendly manner (or as the sun) setting his auspicious foot on the heads of (worshipping) kings (qust as the sun, having reached high altitude emits his powerful rays on the peaks of mountains) (and) performed the duty of dispelling ignorance (or darkness), who was worshipped by all in peaceful undertakings (just as the sun it worshipped by all at the beginning of three Sandhyās). What more to say)? He has pervaded the three worlds with his prowess (just as the sun spreads heat over the three worlds).
V. 13. Who, through the expedients of excavating, breaking and ramming masses of heavy stones built a wonderful way through mountains, through rivers and streams (as also) through forest and thickets, as Rama (did) through the sea. The achievement of the great proclaims great wonder in the world,
V. 14. At night, this hermitage (asrama) causes to the people the semblance of lightning on account of the phosphoresence of plants (growing near it), resembling lightning, (that) of clouds on account of the dark) bees flying at the sides of mountain peaks, (that of thunder) on account of roars of lions causing the skies to echo (and that of showers) on account of the air being cooled by the sprays of the waters of the Soņa.
V. 18. In this place herds of monkeys kiss the cubs of lions, the young one of a deer sucks at the breast of the lioness; 80 other (lower animals), who are (natural) enemies, take leave of their antipathy; indeed, in forests devoted to austerities the minds of all become peaceful.
V. 16. Near the temple built by his preceptor, the calm Prabodhasiva caused to be built this high and big monastery (matha) (which was white) like his own fame, resembling the white clouds; he also caused to be excavated, close to the mountain, a well with copious water and a tank, called the Sindhu.
V. 17. On account of his devotion for his preceptor he caused to be deeply re-excavated (and re-built) with beautiful masonry of heavy stones, the well, which was excavated by Prasantakivs, at this place, (but which) had become dilapidated on account of (the passage of time, and full of wood.
V. 18. There was a Dikshita named Mēhuks whose fame was known in the earth. He who was the foremost among good men, begot a son named Jēika in the womb of Amarika. To him was born the poet Dhämaata. He composed this prasasti of difficult composition.
1 [The process of road-making described here is strikingly similar to that adopted by modern engineers in metalling roads and we may thus conclude that 'macadamizing' was well-known in Hindu India. The word who must be taken to mean here' crusbing' or 'ramming' of the road metal and apparently survives in Hindi The and Bengali gore = rammer.---Ed.)