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EPIGRAPHIA INDICA.
[VOL. XIX.
and pujayati (1. 50). The division of verges in the text is not made in all the necessary places. In some cases as in 1 25 the engraver has marked the first half of a verse by a cursive stroke, which is also used along with two perpendicular strokes to indicate the end of a verse in several cases, as in l. 15.
The language is Sanskrit. Out of the first 11 verses in the Buguda grant of Madhavavarman, 9 are found in this record. The inscription opens with a verse invoking the protection of the plaited hair of Siva. This is followed by the genealogy of the dynasty which starts with Pulindasõna as in the Buguda and Pärikud plates. The construction of the first half of verse 5 of the Buguda plates, which comes as 4th in this record, was not clear to Kielhorn, evidently on account of the wrong text "Silāsakal-o lbhide." The reading in this grant and in the Pärikud plates clears up the point. Here the text reads " bila-bakal-oibhadi ” which is to be construed with prabhuh in l. 8. The purport of the verse in question is that Brahman created a ruler named Sailodbhava 'who split as under parts of a rock and was the founder of a dynasty'. The truth underlying this statement appears to be that the dynasty flourished originally in rocky regions. The record next mentions Rapabhita, who was born in the lineage of Sailodbhava and who frightened many a time the wives of his enemies,' (as their husbands were sure to be killed in battles that were to be fought). To him was born Sainyabbita, the king at whose successes, won by the strength of the impenetrable row of elephants in many a battle, the earth rejoiced (v. 8). In his family was born Yaśobhita, who was also a great warrior. His son was the benevolent ruler Sainyabhita (Madhavavarman II of the Buguda grant), who was a 'lotus to the bees, viz., the eyes of charming women.' From him was descended Yasobhitadēva (II), whose surname was Madhyamarājadēva (v. 11). His son was the king Dharmmarāja, who was proficient in all the sciences and whose character was unblemished. King Madhava, having obtained the kingdom by force and not being recognized (as a monarch), formed the evil intention of expelling from his province his elder relations, but was defeated in battle at Phāsika by Dharmmarāja. Thereafter he resorted for help to king Strivara but was again defeated by him at the foot of the Vindhyas (v. 15). Dharmmarāja's surname was Mānabhita (v. 16). He was pre-eminently & scholar and was, therefore, known as “sakala-éāstra-vigeshavēdi," i.e., one who had a critical knowledge of all the sciences. He is said to have spent his time in discussing religious matters in the assemblies of Brahmans.
The possible identification of Madhyamarāja with Yasõbhita II on the analogy of Dr. Hultzsch's suggestion (which was accepted by Kielhorn) that Sainyabhita was probably a surname of Madhavavarman, was proposed by Mr. R. D. Banerji in his article on the Pārikud plates, though in his opinion the exact relationship of Madhyamarāja with a former king was a matter of doubt. Still, on the analogy of the Buguda plates, it may be presumed that Yasõbhita was the surname of Madhyamarajadēva.
The prose portion of the inscription records a grant of half of the village of Kondodda in the district of Khiddingahára to Bhatta Gonadēva-svāmin, an agnihotrin, who belonged to the Kausika-gotra and the Vājasanēya-charana, and whose Pravaras were O(Au)dalavat, Dēvarāts and Viśvāmitra.
I would ascribe the Buguda plates to the beginning of the 9th century A.D. although Kielhurn wanted to relegate them to the 10th century..
According to Mr. R. D. Banerji, the Pārikud plates of Madhyamarājadēva, the father of the grantor of the plates under examination, are dated in the Harsha era. The late Mr. Venkoba Rao
Ante Vol. III, pp. 43-44. Above, Vol. VI, p. 144
1 Verse 5. *Above Vol. XI, p. 283.
