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194
EPIGRAPHIA INDICA.
(VOL. XI.
TRANSLATION. (Line 1.) Om! Salutation to Parushottama (Vishpu).
(Verse 1.) Let the discus-holder's (Nrisimha's) foot protect you-the foot whose sharp claws emitted a sound like that of gufijā berries (shaken) by the gust of strong winds passing through the long spaces between each other, and (looked) terrific (more so) with the jaws shining with the flame of rays (emanating) from the nails, when they being lifted up, tore through the mass of dark clouds in the sky and revealed the stars with pearly brilliance, like a lion who, having overcome that storehouse of darkness,--the elephant, jumps about scattering brilliant pearls (torn from his temples).
(V. 2.) Let that Nrisimha protect you, who looking with eagerness at (his own) nails, for the enemy (Hiranyakabipu) who had not been secured for being torn with these claws), happened to see him hiding through fear in the cavern-like cavity in the interior of the deep hollow of those (nails). With & laugh (at his foolishness in taking shelter in the place where he could be easily crushed out), joy (at finding him out) and contempt at the miserable creature) he split the demon at once with the point of the other claw and threw him away with wrath like dirt that had collected there.
(V. 3.): As if bearing the jaws like a beautiful conch and the tongue like & sword, with the face borning like the discus (and) with the eye-brows (as if carrying the mace, this form of Vishnu born for devouring, like sing, the demons, presented the appearance of the god of death
(V. 4.) There was the unequalled crest-jewel of the lunar race, whose wealth was wonderful on earth, just as the origin of the moon was miraculous and whose dignity was commensurate with his devotion to the lord of goblins (Siva). He was indeed of manifold virtues, (and) famous on the earth by the name of [Chandraguptaraja.)
(V. 5.) This task is very difficult, this path before (me) insurmountable. I have no guide nor (have I) any friend (who can share the burden (with me). I accomplish this singlehanded . . . . . . . . . . .
(V. 6.) Even his elder brother shining with regal power, became his follower in battles and (through him) mighty, like him whose weapon is the plough (Balarama); who likewise followed the killer of Kamsa (Kfishņa) in tearing up the mighty elephants of his unassailable enemy.
(V. 7.) In bravory, a lion killing the elephants with(swelling) frontal globes, -- rendered dull by the cries (due to excessive rut-with fodder placed in their mouths, or the trunks hanging down, is like a dog and cannot stand comparison with the king destroying (his) enemies blooming with the prosperity of their treasures, prowess, race and statesmanship.
1 There seems to be a reference bere not to Nrisimba but to the Trivikrama-deatar of the god Vishņu. H. K. S.)
The poet here seems to show that the terrific face of Nțisimba bore the symbols of Vishņu u also of Yama. The jaws being white bones were like the conch, the tongue like the sword which is also one of the weapons of Vishnu, the round face, the discus and eye-brows the mace. Yama's attributes are projecting jaws, long tongue, red bot face and a club.
[Perhaps Adhikaradhavala was a name or surname of bis elder brother.-H. K. S.]
. [As the reading in the text is clearly darsnēsh (not daranēshu as Mr. Hiralal seems to take it) the compound ending with that word is evidently an attribute of the word rumëshu.--Ed.) [The passage ATACRITETCETYCHT T URUTV:
admits of two meaning, one applicable to the subdued kinge and the other to elephants. - H. K. S.]