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196
EPIGRAPHIA INDICA.
(VOL. XI.
(V. 17.) Even after (her) lord went to heaven, in spite of her always observing fasts and austerities, which cause leanness of the body), her unaltered limbs retained their natural charming grace.
(V. 18.) She, like the Vedas, was the shelter to the people belor ging to the four carnas (castes) and asramas! (or) like Policy to a kingdom, like Wisdom (herself) in deciding between truth and falsehood, (and) the goddess of Wealth herself to the greedy. The spread of all sins was checked by her and the earth that was about to abandon her fidelity (by wooing, so to speak, the Kali age) was again reminded by her, as a friend, of the krita (age) for the sake of reunion (as a lady's maid reminds her mistress of (her husband's) acts to bring about a union (between them) when somewhat disturbed.]
(V. 19.) By whom Kali during his own regime (i.e. the Kali age) was dishonoured, that Kali who boasted of having access even to Damayanti' in olden times.
(V. 20.) By her this eternal abode of the lord Hari was caused to be made, to show exactly the abode Vaikuntha) where her deceased lord lived worshipping daily the imperish - able (Vishnu in the heavens).
(V. 21.) Oh kings ! do not turn your minds to sins, seeing what has been clearly described of this wonderful world (samsāra) under the guise of the temple (i.e.) the diversity of acts of all creatures high and low- with cage-like bodies (passing through various stages of existence-from the celestial beings (downwards).
(V. 22.) This itself tolls the kings the appropriate fate of destruction and protection .(of charity) by (the waving of) its flags (tossed) by the unsteady wind, in one moment going down, and in another rising up towards the sky,
(V. 23.) On the very bank of (this) ocean of the world, the great boat of dharma has been placed to cross it. This must be protected by kings. Neglected (it) would sink down.
(V. 24.) O (future) kings! (Now) listen to the perpetuation which the poet Chintaturānka Isana, author of the prasasti, submits to you for the protection of it (i.e. the charity).
(V. 25.) Todankana, Madhuvēdha, Nalipadra, Kurapadra and in this place (sthāna) Vanapadra,- these five villages are given.
(V. 263.) Of these villages) three shares have been divided in three ways for the maintenance of the almshouse, the repair of breaks and cracks in the temple) and the support of the servants of tho sanctuary (one share being allotted for each of the purposes).
(V. 27.) The fourth share has been divided into fifteen parts. These are (for) twelve Brahmaņas, four for each Vēda.
(V. 28.) Brahma-Trivikrama, Arks and another Vishņudēva, as well as Mahiradēva (are) the four best learned in the Rigveda.
1 The Sadras cannot study the Vedas and have no áframas.
Damayanti pretended that she would remarry, thinking that hearing this news, her husband Nala would come forwant and disclose himself, and although her intention was most noble, she nevertheless committed sin by
heininumboly wisli, and Kali thus secured a victory over this exemplary chaste lady, who was free from sit by ick, thought or speech. The 19th verse alludes to this occurrence, and I am indebted to Pandit Hirananda
.... Officiating Principal of the Oriental College, Lahore, for pointing it out to me and for his kindness in going over the manuscript.
I am indebted to Mr. Krishna Sastri for pointing out that cafea has a technical sense here. ICE he thinks means the sanctuary', both of which I have adopted in the translation.
