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EPIGRAPHIA INDICA.
[VOL. XV.
(Verse 18.) By its encompassing rows of parks, by its blooming pools of noble lotuses, by its multitudes of distinguished adepts in the Vedas, by its masters of the science of Bhrigu,1 by its established fanes of the gods, by the sound of troops of songstresses busied in the lore of Bharata, Malige is for ever a treasure to all sages throughout the whole earth.
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(Verse 19.) Being like the city of Alaka in its abundance of wealth, like Amaravati in being the residence of vibudhas [gods, or sages], like brilliant Bhogavati forsooth because of its bhögis [serpents, or voluptuaries], ho! Malige is a treasure.
(Verse 20.) The ruler of this city, a lord canopied in stainless fame overspreading the skyquarters, a husband of renowned Fortune, active in beneficence, was Malla Gaunḍa, an athlete (malla) against the arrogant.
(Verse 21.) There flourished his son, charming in virtue, the blest Balla Gaunda. His son was the lord Malla Gaunda, excellent in counsel for the sole welfare of mankind, peerless in conduct.
(Verse 22.) His good wife Muddiyakka, famed, virtuous, a Sita and Arundhati, a mistress of the science of discretion, purifying the earth, devoted to her husband, exalted in multitude of bounties, flourished in excellence.
(Verse 23.) To this worthy couple was born, from respect (to their merits), a noble, peerless son Bijjaya Nayaka, even as was born a goodly son to Sambhu and Gauri Shanmukha, to Hari and Lakshmi king Smara [Kama], and to the sovereign of the gods and Paulomi the brilliant Jayanta, amidst the congratulations of the earth.
(Verse 24.) Like the line of famed elephants of the sky-quarters, like the moon united with the lotus (and) making her petals erect, like Vasuki the lord of radiant serpents, like the Ocean, associate of the uprisen praiseworthy Sarasvati's troop, master of the art of literature, renowned, understanding the sport of activity in bounty, is Bijjaya Nayaka.
(Verse 25.) He has no care for amassing wealth, no fear when foes meet him, no meanness forsooth in places where all manner of suitors make earnest entreaty: hence indeed Bijjaya Nayaka is known over the vast earth as a master of these virtues of unanxiousness, valorous conduct, (and) abounding generosity.
(Verse 26.) To the full extent of the wealth acquired by him the noble Bijjaya Nayaka constantly has made bounteous gifts to Brahmans and the gods, and gained fame.
(Verse 27.) As in him are established the height of dignity indicated by the title of "lamp of the house of the Kalachuri kings' empire," the height of full valour indicated by the title of "taker-over of hostile kings' armies," the power denoted by the titles of "imaginative poet, master of the Kannada language" given to him by scholars, hence Bijjaya Nayaka stands on earth as one of noble degree.
(Verse 28.) His beloved (wife), crest-jewel of the multitude of lovely women, lotus-eyed, Savitri-devi, by the excellence of her distinction is known as a Mother-Earth: is it not a wellknown theme of speech?
(Verse 29.) Generally praised, having a swan's gait, a lotus-lake to the bee of lord Bijjaya Nayaka's spirit, having the gait of a sweet-voiced swan, graceful with a frame like a creeping plant, a mine of excellence, practising bounty, practising virtues, extraordinary in fame, enjoying constant righteousness, Sayiyakka is a goddess like Rati, Gauri, and Sitä in the forefront of the earth.
(Verse 30.) Savitri's husband, Bijjaya Nayaka, who is perfectly peerless, renowned on earth, celebrated by the good, has made for the blest Somanatha a dwelling whereof one may say that it is a high crown of the famed Lady Earth, that it is in truth: a lofty palace of Devendra, that it appears verily as a peak of the mountain of the amassed works of righteousness of pious men.
1 The science of polity.
2 This seems to be the sense of kale here; but I can quote no authority for it.
