________________ -76 Siri Sirivalakaba -50 Avattas" (also a kind of ships), and 35''Khurappas' ( a kind of ships ). Thos ( in all there Were) 500 ships. (383) With the permission (lit. order) of the king they (i. e. the ships) were filled with merchandise and (then) the captains of the ships and the merchants embarked on them (i. e. the ships ) a special care of which was always taken by the divers, boatmen, rowers, mariners, and helmomen; and which were diligently protected by 10,000 soldiers, who were under the service of Dhavala and who had held various kinds of weapons ( ready ) in their hands [ lit. whose hands were intently engaged in ( holding ) various kinds of weapons ]; and which were decorated with many chauries', umbrellas, 'sikkaries' ( a kind of ornaments for the ship ), flags and excellent crests; and whose beauty was enhanced by sails, ropes, anchors, *pakhharas' ( a kind of implements for the protection of a ship ), and drums. ( 384, -385, 386, 387) (Then) having stored them (i. e. the ships) with large quantities of water, provisions for the journey, and fuel, Dhavala, with his retinue, embarked on ships in an auspicious moment and
