Epigraphia Indica Vol 15

Author(s): Sten Konow, F W Thomas
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India

Page 48

No. 3.]
TWO INSCRIPTIONS FROM MUTGI.
engraved on a tablet about 30' wide and 28" high, which is built into the wall at the southern end of the open facade of the temple of Narasimha at Mutgi-evidently the temple to which the record itself refers--and is in perfect preservation. On the top of the tablet is a triangular ontablature containing some sculptures, the central figure of which is a squatting deity, evidently some form of Vishịu, possibly Narasimha, with a smaller figure at each side of it, one of which probably represents Lakshmi, while a third figure is squatting on the proper left, and in the corner at the proper right are a cow suckling a calf and a scimitar (P), and nt the top are the sun and moon, with another symbol which may be intended for the GarudaLanner of the Yadava dynasty. The rough sketch at my disposal does not allow of more precise description. The character is Kanarese of the period, exceptionally regular and well formed. In the first two lines the usnal height of the letters is about "; further down it comes to be something between 1 and 3". The special forms of m and v noted above, Vol. XII, p. 335, are used. The m occurs in kshtra-samudradoļu (1. 27); the u is found 15 times (11. 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 15, 18, 19, 20, 26, 46).-The language is Old Kanarese, verging on the redieval dialect, and chiefly verse. In respect of orthography we may vote the regular change of final -m before vowels to .v, and the spelling purpa for push pa on 1. 6 (see above, Vol. XII, p. 271). As regards lexicography, the words prochchumbi (1. 5), samutkrida (1. 13), ghode (11. 16, 39), jugajhampa (1. 36: see note in loco), and karahattha (1. 41) are of some slight interest.
The record refers itself to the reign of the Kalacharya Bhillama. After a prayer to the god Narasimha, the lion-avatar of Vishņu (v. 1), and a description of the ocean (v.2), Jambu-dvipa (v. 3), Mēru (v.4), Bharata-ksbētra (v. 5), and Kuntala (v. 6), it proceeds to extol Bhillama, the king of Kuntala (vv. 7-9), expatiating on the terror inspired by him in neighbouring nations, the Māļavas, Varāļas, Kalingas, Gurjaras, Choļas, Gaudas, Panchālas, Angas, Vangas, and Nēpāļas (v. 9). It then introduces Pēyiya, a high minister and general of Bhillama, who among other titles bore those of sahani, patta-sūkan-adhipats, and ghodeya rāya, sonething like " Master of the Horse," and bāhattara-niyog-adhipati," lord of seventy-two offices," and his sul ordinate, & general named Malls (vv. 10-14). It then mentions Muttago ng "great agrahara" of the Taddavidi nad in Kuntala, full of learned Brahmans (v. 15), and proceeds to give the following pedigree of a distinguished local family (vr. 16-21) :
Kaihi Setti, m. Kamiyauve
Chauļi Setti, m. Cheupdiyakka
Nãchanna
Madhava Setti
Kaihi. Setti Malli Setti Lakhkhi Setti
Sa nkara-svami, or Sankarärya, son of Upaśānta and Mā-dēvi, was a man of great piety and culture (vv. 22-26). Then comes the business part of the record. We are informed that in the reign of Bhillama, whose full titles are given, the above-mentioned Pēyiya and the other high minister and general Malleya (Malla) were so much impressed by & sermon delivered by Sankara-svåmi that they presented a petition to Bbillama, who accordingly granted the town of Bivavura for the maintenance of the temple of Lakshmi-Narasimha (Vishịu in his lion. incarnation attended by Lakshmi) which had been originally established by Sankara-svåmi's grandfather Chandi Setti (II. 35-46).
1 Compare the Kurg od inscription B, v. 3 (abore, Vol. XIV, pp. 279, 281 1.). ? See Dyn. Kan. Dist., p. 517.