Epigraphia Indica Vol 08

Author(s): E Hultzsch
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India

Page 33

EPIGRAPHIA INDICA,
(VOL. VIII.
(V. 2.) There was a minister of the illustrious Bukkaraya, known as the illustrious general Baicha, whose policy, which was to be approved by every body, completely destroyed the maltitude of his enemies.
(V. 3.) If I want to speak of his liberality, the Santanaka (tree) enters the way of the greedy; if of his intelligence, that talk of Bțihaspati bides somewhere; if of his invariable patience, the earth is affected by insensibility. How on earth is it possible for poets to praise the general Baichapa ?1
(V. 4.) From him were born three sons, conquerors of the world, who had good morals for their ornament, adorned by whom the middle world became similar to the final bliss of the Jainas (which is adorned) by the three jewels.'
(V. 5.) Praised in the world were the virtues of the general Mangapa, who took away the necklaces from the broad breasts of the wives of his adversaries, (and) who made his younger brothers, the general Irugapa and Bukkaņa, still more famous by the abundance of his own glory.
(V. 6.) Being the chief seat of kindness, the only shelter of morality, the abode of veracity, always swift-footed in running on the track of the munificent, the supporting tree of religion, the noble residence of forbearance, the meeting place of goodness, this general Mangapa, who was attached to the doctrine of the Jainas, spread his fame.
(V. 7.) His wife was Janaki, shining by the ornament of her excellent moral qualities, as the daughter of Janaka with her slender round waist (was the wife) of the descendant of Raghu, possessed of agreeable splendour.
(V. 8.) They had two sons, through whom the hosts of the enemies perished, (and) who cleansed the path of religion. The elder of them was the general Baichapa, & conqueror of the world, the foremost among the pious.
(V. 9.) His younger brother was the general Irugapa, possessod of all virtues, through the moonshine of whose fame the lotuses of the faces of his enemies close even in daytime.
Metre (vritta).- (V. 10.) Brahman, wipe off the writing on the forehead! Otherwise thy reputation as Brahman will suffer damage.6 Build another capital, Death, for the kings hostile to him! Thou host of Vetálas, widen the extent of your bellies to drink the fresh blood ! Prince Irugapa was incensed with passion to fight with the haughty enemies.
(V. 11.) When on the march of the ganeral prince Iruga pa the gun was obscured by the clouds of dust whirled up by the continual violent blows of the hoofs of his mares charging by assault, the day-lotuses of the hands of his enemies closed, the night-lotus of his glory opened, and the fire of his majesty became bright.
The author wants to say that it is impossible to describe the virtues of Baicha, because they are not to be equalled. His liberality and his cleverness are so great that, compared to him, the tree of desires appears to be covetous and Brihaspati a mere nothing, and as for his patience, even the earth is not a fit object for comparison, because it is jada, which may mean inanimate or dull.
The three jewels (triratna), which according to the doctrine of the Jainas are indispensable for Sramana who wants to attain eternal beatitude, are jridna or knowledge of things as revealed in the dgamas, darfana or faith in wbat is taught there, and chdritra or dharma, moral discipline see Dr. Bhandarkar's Report on Skt. MSS., 1883-84, p. 100.
The attributes of Rama and Sità are applicable to Mangapa and Janaki also, and vice verad. • Bhavya must be understood here as in other Jains inscriptions as referring to the Jaina community.
Generally the padma has its flowers opened by daylight.
6 Brahman's predictions of a happy lot to the hostile kings will prove false, because they will be slain by Iragaps.
His enemics clenched their fists in rage.