Epigraphia Indica Vol 20

SR No.: 032574
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hirananda Shastri
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India
Publication Year: 1929
Total Pages: 188
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 40 MB

Page 26

No. 1.)
PRAKRIT INSCRIPTIONS FROM NAGARJUNIKONDA.
c. Detached pillar inscriptions. G. Inscription on a stone pillar or stele decorated with carvings, at a distance of about two furlongs to the north-west of the Mahächetiya. It consists of ten lines of writing. The inscribed surface shows three cracks and the right hand portion damaged. Some three or four aksharas at the end of 11. 1–5 are lost. Lines 9 and 10 are partly obliterated. The lines, when complete, must have been 15 inches in length. The average size of the aksharas is to inch. The lettering has become worn owing to exposure to the weather. The inscription records the foundation of a vihara by Mahadevi Bhatidėvā, who was the wife (?) of King Siri-Virspurisadata and the mother of King Ehuvuļa(?)-Chā[m]tamūla. The date in 11. 9—10 is no longer legible.
H. Inscription on a stone pillar or stele found at Kottampalugu to the north of Nagarjunikonda. It consists of fourteen lines of writing, measuring about 12 inches in length. The inscription is fairly well preserved, but here and there some aksharas have become indistinct, The execution is fair, but less ornamented than in the earlier inscriptions. The size of the aksharas is from 1 to 1 inch; they miss the long-drawn strokes of the earlier inscriptions and the lines are placed close together. The inscription records the foundation of a vihara by Mahādēvi Koda ballisiri, who was the daughter of King Siri-Vira purisadata, sister of King Ehuvu!aChasm tamüla, and wife of the Maharaja of Vanavāsa. It is dated in the 11th year of King Ebavuļa-Cha[n]tamūla.
d. Inscriptions on sculptures. J. Inscription along the lowər edge of a frieze showing the adoration of the Wheel of the Law (first sermon at Benares) in the centre and an amatory couple or mithuna on both sides. These three scenes are separated and flanked by railings. The frieze is supported by a row of crouching lions. The inscription consists of two lines, measuring 38 and 16 inches in length. The execution is fair and the preservation, satisfactory. The average size of the aksharas is } inch. The inscription opens with an invocation of the Buddha and records the donation of & slab and of a coping stone at the Mahāchetiya by an individual of the name of Chhada kapavaticha und by his housewife Padumaväni together with their sons and daughters. No date.'
K. Inscription along the lower edge of a long sculptured beam found on the mound Polugubodu. It consists of one line of writing, the beginning and concluding portions of which are almost entirely obliterated. The inscription, as far as preserved, measures nearly five feet in length. It records the donation of a slab (?) by a person whose name is lost, together with his Bons, daughters, sons-in-law, grandsons, granddaughters, relatives and friends. The preserved portions contain no date.
TRANSCRIPTS AND TRANSLATIONS.
Ayaka-pillar inscription C 3. The text of the dyaka-pillar inscription recording the donation of sucla # pillar by Cha[r] tigiri occurs in nine redactions, namely, A2, 3 and 4, B 3, 01 and 3, D 3 and 4, and X, seven of which are complete and two (A 2 and D 2) are incomplete. In C'1 there is an addition at the end, whereas in X the invocation of the Buddha opening the document has been oraitted. It will be sufficient to reproduce the text only once, as given in C3, noting such maride lationes as are found in the other redactions: The additional passage of C 1 will be given separately.