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No. 24.]
in the pattala Devagrama is granted by Us in the name of Vasudeva, by a charter, to the extent of its limits, with boundaries marked on its four sides, with lands and water, mangoes and Madhika (bassia latifolia) trees, with hollow ground and saline soil, with (right of ingress) and egress, with salt-pits, with pasture for cows, with forest and river bank lands, with tree groves, creeper and plant gardens, grass, etc. to the Brahman Gangadhara-sarman, son of Chhitapaï (and) grandson of Sia of the Kanva götra, with the three pravaras [Kanva*], Aplavana and Jamadagni, belonging to the Bahvṛicha (Rigveda) -sakha (branch), for increasing the religious merit and fame of (our) mother, father and ourselves. And now this is the prayer of the giver :
(V. 25.) Thus does blessed Rama again and again conjure all these and future protectors of the earth-Common to men is this bridge of religious merit to be guarded by you from
time to time.
KHAIRHA PLATES OF YASAHKARNADEVA.
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(V. 26.) By many kings, Sagara and others, has the earth been enjoyed: Whosesoever at any time has been the soil, his at that time has been the fruit of the previous bestowment (thereof).
(V. 27.) He who deprives (a Brahman) of even a single gold coin, a cow or a finger of land, abides in hell until the deluge.
(V. 28.) The confiscator of land is not expiated by (excavating) a thousand tanks, by (performing) a hundred horse sacrifices (or) by the gift of ten million cows.
(V. 29.) He who resumes land whether given by himself or by another, is born an insect in ordure (and) grovels there with his ancestors.
(V. 30.) He who gives land furrowed by the plough together with seed and abounding with crop, abides in heaven so long as the sun continues to give light to the world.
(V. 31.) The giver of land dwells sixty thousand years in heaven, the confiscator and he who consents to such an act, live so many years in hell.
(V. 32.) They who seize property dedicated to Gods or Brahmans, are born as black serpents residing in dry caves in woods destitute of water.
(V. 33.) (If) land (is) wrongly appropriated or wrongly caused to be appropriated, the usurper and his agent burn (in perpetual fire) until the 7th generation.
(V. 34.) Those of our lineage declare that this gift should be approved by others. Fortune (of men) is fickle like bubbles of water on this earth; gift alone is its fruit, therefore it should be preserved.
(V. 35.) For the good of the people the laws have been established. The wise one should keep them in justice. The reprobate who from avarice or delusion shall usurp, will promptly incur a painful hell down below.
(V. 36.) The gifts which have been here granted by former princes producing virtue, wealth and fame are comparable to the remains of offerings to the gods. What good man could resume them ?
(V. 37.) He who receives land and he who gives, both are doers of meritorious acts and certainly go to heaven.
(V. 38.) A conch, a couch, an umbrella, good horses, and good elephants are the indication of land gift. This is the fruit, O Purandara.
(V. 39.) If any king is born in this family whose treasury is exhausted, of him I beg with clasped hands,-"let him not resume this grant."
(V. 40.) This sovereignty of the earth totters like the wind and the clouds; the enjoyment of realm is sweet but for an instant; the breath of man is like a drop of water on the tip of a blade of grass. Only religious merit is the friend on the journey to the other world.
(L. 44.) Written by the illustrious Vachchhuka writer in (the department of) religion. Let great happiness attend.
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