Epigraphia Indica Vol 03

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

Page 27

EPIGRAPHIA INDICA.
(VOL. III
(V. 15.) The king who was the Chief of the world (and) the conqueror of (all) foes, made for the god Madhuripu (Vishnu) at Ranga a large movable trough (prapa) of gold, which, like the dawn, indicates, by masses of rays that are spreading on all sides, that the moon of his fame is rising simultaneously in (all) the eight cardinal points.
(V. 16.) The San among kings made for the highest being wbich is fond of staying at Ranga, a golden (image of) Saparna (Garuda), by whose bright splendour, as (by that) of (his) elder brother, a permanent dawn appears to reign in the world.
(V. 17.) The Sun among kings placed on the body of Kansadvish (Vishnu), who reposes at Ranga, a golden under-garment. Covered by its rays, the Creator, who rests on the god's) Davel, appears to dwell once more in the golden egg (from which he was produced).
(V. 18.) The Sun among kings gave to the lord of Ranga a lofty golden aureola (prabhavalaya) of great beauty, which, placed near him, resembles a lovely group of blowing asóka (trees), with tamdla (trees) between.
(V. 19.) Placed on the golden pedestal (pithi), which the Sun among kings had given (to him), (and) which was adorned with various jewels, and bearing the lofty aureola (prabha), the lord of Ranga surpasses a black cloud which bears a minbow (and) rests on the peak of the Golden Mountain (Mêru).
(V. 20.) In the month of Chaitra, the San among kings celebrated for Rangin the procession-festival (ydtr-otsava), which is praiseworthy on account of bright, wonderful, and prosperous days. It is no wonder (that) those who possess intelligence, rejoice, when even the trees, which are devoid of intelligence, are in high glee (or in full flower).
(V. 21.) In order to celebrate the festival of the sporting (vihar-ôteava) of (the god) who dwells at Ranga, with Kamala (Lakshmi), king Sundara-Påndyadeva built of gold a new ship. Through the trees which grow on the banks (and) which are covered with its (the ship's) splendour, the daughter of the Kavêra (mountain) resembles the Mandakini (Ganga), whose banks are adorned with groups of manddra trees.
(V. 22.) The Sun among kings, who had covered the circle of the coast that formed the surrounding wall of the earth, which had become (his) residence, with the fame of his victories, - covered the high inner wall of the sbrine (sadman) of Sarngin, who is the lord of Ranga, with masses of gold, which (he) had brought from (his) wars.
(V. 23.) The large (and) long dining-hall (abhyavahara-mandapa)," which king SundaraPandya had constructed in front of the shrine) of the god who is the lord of Ranga, did not suffice for accommodating the golden vessels (parichchhada), which, taking away the wealth of kings, that same (king) had provided.
(V. 24.) The Son among kings placed on the body of the lord of Ranga, from the feet to the crest, ornaments of jewels, through which Padma (Lakshmi), though leaning on his breast, appears to have again entered the mine of jewels (i.e. the ocean, from which she arose).
(V. 25.) While, having crushed the enemies of order in war, Sundara-Pandyadova, whose bow was (ever) ready for action, protected the world, the golden armour which he gave to Vishnu, who dwells at Ranga, was a (mere) ornament.
Aruna, the charioteer of the Sun. * i.e. the Kaveri river. Compare verse 28. • The author uses mandapa ma neuter, which suggests that he was a Southerner.
+ The armour: We not required in earnest, as the king bad already destroyed the dharmudvishah (enemies of order, or demons), with whom Visliņu formerly wood to fight.