Epigraphia Indica Vol 03

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

Page 91

EPIGRAPHIA INDICA,
(VOL. III.
(V.5.) In this world) is victorious the fourth caste, which was produced from the lotus-foot of Sauri (Vishņu), (and) whose sister, the river (Ganga), purifies the three) worlds by (her) threefold course.
(V. 6.) From this (caste), as the moon from the ocean, sprang king Prôle, the only protector of the earth, a treasury of knowledge, whose appearance always satisfied learned men, as that of the moon does the gods (whom she supplies with nectar).
(V. 7.) In consequence of the good deeds (in former births) of this king Prôla, there was born (to him) an excellent son, called king Véma, the virtuous chief of princes.
(V. 8.) While this righteous prince was ruling, the goddess of the Earth witnessed great festivals and suddenly forgot the pain of her separation from king Harischandra and other (virtuous ancient kings).
(V. 9.) Howl can it be described, the conduct of the lord Vême, who performed all the gifts (described by) Hêmådri, who enjoyed only as much of the earth as remained (after the deduction of that portion) which was enjoyed by the twice-born, (and) who produced the seven kinds of offspring ?
(V. 10.) Having built (a flight of) steps on the path of the Påtalaganga, king Vêma converted Srisailam into a pillar (which records) his pious gifts. Being worshipped in the hall (dsthana) by crowds of gods, demi-gods, and ascetics, the god continually proclaims his (the king's) fame by (his) faces, vit. that of Tatpurusha and the other (four).
(V. 11.) King Véma's son was king Anna-Vota, the greatness of whose valour was unequalled, who was devoted to the gifts (described by) Hêmadri, who was the husband of the goddess of heroes, who ruled the whole earth 7 by means of the sword in (his) arm, and who converted the three worlds into a single ocean by the streams of the flood of (his) fame.
(V. 12.) Having conquered the earth by his power, as Jishņu by his spear, having bestowed agraháras on Brahmaņas, (and) having fulfilled the desires of the multitude of his relatives, this king obtained the fruit of his birth (i.e. he died).
(V. 13.) His younger brother (was) king Anna-Vêms, (ournamed) Jaganobbaganda, who was beloved by the goddess of) Fame, (and) whose conduct on earth became a standard for those who are engaged in the practice of virtue (dharma), wealth (artha), and pleasure (káma).
(V. 14.) While this king is seated on the lion-throne in (his) capital, the prosperons city of Kondaviti, hostile kings, out of jealousy as it were, migrate to mountains which bear the lairs of very terrible lions.10
1 Kim appears to be used in the sense of katham.
HemAdri, the author of the Dana khanda, was the minister of the two Yadava kinga Mahaders and Ramachandra ; see Dr. Bhandarkar's Early History of the Dekkan, p. 88 f. Compare also Ep. Ind. Vol. I. p. 868, note 58.
1 The seven kinds of offspring (santana or samtati) are seven duties, whose performance is equally meritorious as the procreation of a son. They are thus enumerated in verse 48 of the Ganapokvaram inscription of Ganapati (No. 16 below): - feaua faffumfra:1 ará ufuca: fa u
According to Brown's Telugu Dictionary, this is the name of that branch of the Krishna which flows past Srisailam." See also the Kurnool Manual, p. 183.
According to Winslow's Tamil Dictionary, s. v. tarpurudam, this is one of the five faces of siva, indicative of bis attributes as preserver."
. It may be concluded from the second half of this verse that Vems built a hall in the temple of Srisailam. 7 Literally, "the earth which possessed the splendour of a single (royal) parasol."!
• This word appears to be used here as a name of the god Sabrahmayye, whose attribute is the spear fakti). In verse 17 it is used for Indra.
. 1. c. "the only hero in the world." Compare Brown's Telugu Dictionary, s. v. obba. 1. The real cause for this action of the kings was, of course, that they had to flee before Anna-Vêms.