Epigraphia Indica Vol 02

Author(s): Jas Burgess
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India

Page 32

BHERA-GHAT INSCRIPTION OF ALHANADEVI.
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supporting huge mountains of pride, secured endless fame; a tree of paradise to suppliants, who made the earth, though resting below, rise beyond the heavens up to the abode of the gods, by raising (on it) a Meru without equal.
(V. 10.) The creeping-plant of his fame, sprinkled with the nectar of his religious merit and made to grow by his stainless character, overspread the whole bower of the universe.
(11.) He who, seeking good renown, so behaved to the crowds of suppliants that the ocean of their desires became replenished with gold, begat the prince Karņa.
(12.) While this king, of unprecedented lustre, gave full play to his heroism, the Pandya relinquished violence, the Murala gave up his arrogant bearing,” the Kunga entered the path of the good, the Vanga trembled with the Kalinga, the Kira staid at home like a parrot in the cage, (and) the Huņa left off being merry.
(13.) When the wives of hostile princes enlarged the seas with the tears streaming from their eyes, intending as it were to reduce the size of the earth, because he had it all subjected to his rule by the defeat of their husbands, those same seas again did homage to him with large waves of precious stones.
(14.) From him took his spotless birth the illustrious Yaśaḥkarņa, a crest-jewel of rulers, with a heart free from guile, who illuminated the circle of the regions with the moon of his fame which had risen from the devastation of Champaranya, (and) who in his generosity enriched all the learned without exception, as soon as he set eyes on them.
(15.) From him, an unfathomable ocean of all excellencies, was born the favourite of the earth, Gayakarnadeva. In his case even the sun,--the sun of his prowess, took upon itself the function" of causing the rising of the sea, -the sea of sorrow of the wives of his adversaries.
(16.) That prince surpassed by his lustre yellow orpiment,19 was a tree of paradise for the creeping-plant fortune, wore a broad garland of noble qualities, was the one god of death to the host of the enemies, adorned the van of battle, abounded in pleasing renown, (and) wielded indeed a sharp sword.
(17.) Well known on the earth is the family of the son of Gobhila. Therein was born forsooth the prince Haṁsapala, who with the host of his valorous irresistible troops humbled the circle of all his foes combined.
(18.) He, whose feet were irradiated by the crest_jewels of the diadems of all the tributary chiefs prostrating themselves (before him), had a son, the lord of the earth, the illustrious Vairisimha, a treasure-house not merely of purified understanding, but also, eminently, (one) for suppliants.
(19.) That Vairisiṁha, too, drove the clans of his foes to seek the shelter of deep caverns, while he himself, occupying their towns, made these far surpass the residence of Kuvera."
" See note 42 of the preceding inscription. 70 The abstract noun chandimatd of the original is incorrect; the correct form of the word is chandiman, 71 Properly 'his inclination to arrogance." 72 This function belongs properly to the moon.
73 This is described as the seed or seminal energy of Vishna, Harer-viryam, (see M. Williams' Dictionary); and the poet, who immediately afterwards has the word Sri, undoubtedly was thinking of the god Hari or Vishnu. A proper rendering of this verse in which everything depends on the sound of the words employed is impossible, at least, to myself.
* Literally Alaka' (the residence of Kuvera, the god of riches).