Epigraphia Indica Vol 18

Author(s): H Krishna Shastri, Hirananda Shastri
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India

Page 34

No. 2.)
RAHUR PLATES OF NRIPATUNGAVARMAN.
13
(Vishnu's) navel arose a lotus-flower, the germ of all. From this (flower) the self-born one (Brahma) was produced.
(Verse 3.) From this four-mouthed lord of the world, Angiras was born, (and) from the latter, Brihaspati, the minister of Sakra (Indra), the splitter of the demon) Vala.
(Verse 4.) From him was born Samyu; from him, he who was named Bharadvája; from him, the great archer Dropa, whose valour equalled that of Sakra in battle.
(Verse 5.) F:om this Dropa was produced, it is said, by a portion of Pinākin (Siva) the long-armed Asvatthaman, who was skilled in all fights.
(Verse 6.) From this Agvatthaman was born & king named Pallava, who ruled the kings residing in the nine continents, together with the ploughmen.
(Verse 7.) From his family arose a group (of kings) commencing with Vimala and Konkaņike, which was bowed to by the wives of enemies; which imposed commands even on other rulers of men; which was much beloved; (and) which continually shouted victory.'
(Verse 8 f.) Then, after Vimala, etc., having enjoyed by their own valour the earth girt by the four oceans, had gone to heaven on aerial cars, there was the long-armed (king) Dantivarman, who resembled Purandara (Indra), showed firm devotion to Mura's foe (Vishnu), (and) was bowed to by the diadems of the rulers of the earth.
(Verse 10.) By ruling the earth according toir ght even in the Kali age, and by showering gifts, (this) ruler of men shone like a sin-cloud.
(Verse 11.) He dispatched arrows, furnishing (them) with provisions for (their) visit of the nether world under the guise of the blood of those of his) enemies who were not (already) confined in his own prisons.
(Verse 12.) From Dentivarman was born that long-armed Nandivarman who subdued the earth unaided in battle.
(Verse 13.) Just as Lakshmi is the consort) of Mura's foe (Vishnu). (the wife) of Nendivormen was the slender queen named Sankha, who was born in the Rāshtrekūta family.
(Verse 14.) Full of patience like the earth, beloved by the people like a mother, the queen named Sankha shone as if she were the embodied fortune of the king.
(Verse 15.) By her who possessed intelligence, beauty, arts, etc., was born the virtuong Nřipatungadēva, the lord of the three worlds, noble by birth, resembling the rising sun in splendour, (and) victorious in fights with arrows.
(Verse 16.) Resembling fire, this king, by wbose favour the Pandye had obtained an army formerly, burnt a confederation of enemies in a battle on the further bank of the Arichit (river).
(Verse 17.) Even in his youth (this) lord of the world (was) renowned by the name) of Nfipatunga (i.e. the high one among rulers of men'). (He was) renowned not only on earth, (bat) even in the other world), like Råma.
(Verse 18.) Provided by this king with benefits (was) Martaņda of the family of Vēsāli." a descendant of the family of Kuru, (and) intent on (affording) refuge to (his) subjects.
(Verse 19.) An ornament to the world like the moon, (and) resembling the ocean in profundity, etc., (this) ruler of men (became) the resort of the people by protecting the people we if (he were the sun.
1 i.e. he either imprisoned or shot his enemies.
* Verres 19 and 20 saggest that the word Märtända (i.e. the sun) is not a mere metaphor (ripakam), bat bete be taken bere as a proper name.