Epigraphia Indica Vol 20

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

Page 25

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EPIGRAPHIA INDICA.
[Vol. XX.
C. 1. West side, first pillar. Two pieces: the smaller piece, containing lines 1 to 6 (1.1 complete, 1. 2 with the first akshara missing, 11. 3—6 incomplete), fits wedge-like into the larger one, which consists of 11. 3 to 13, 11. 3 to 6 supplying the missing portions of the upper piece. The inscription, when complete, consisted of 13 lines, 21 to 23 inches long. Donation of a pillar by Chäntisiri. Date as above.
C. 2. West side, second pillar. Two pieces. The larger piece contains 11. 1-6 complete, besides the initial and concluding portions of 1l. 7–9. The smaller piece supplies the middle portions of these three lines and the remainder of the inscription, viz., 1l. 10-12 entire. Twelve lines, 194 to 22 inches long. Gift of a stone pillar by Mahādēvi Bapisirinikā, the daughter of Hammasirinikā and wife of King Siri-Virapurisadata. Date as above in 11. 11-12, the concluding line being a short one.
C. 3. West side, third pillar. Two pieces. The smaller fragment has 6 lines, viz., 1. 1 com. plete, whereas considerable portions of II. 2–5 are missing and only a few aksharas at the beginning of 1. 6 remain. The larger fragment contains the missing parts of 11. 2–6 and, besides, II. 7-13 entire. Thirteen lines, 20 to 22 inches long. Gift of a pillar by Chä[m]tisiri. Date as above in last short line.
C. 4. West side, fourth pillar. Complete in eight lines, 19 to 22 inches long. Gift of a pillar by Mahādēvi Chhathisiri, the daughter of Hammasiri[ņikā) and wife of King Siri-Vira parisadata. Date as above in concluding line.
C. 5. West side, fifth pillar. Complete in five lines, 194 to 204 inches in length. Gift of a stone pillar by the wife of Mahākardasiri. Date as above.
D. 2. North side, second pillar. One piece containing 11. 15 complete, the initial and concluding portions of 11. 6—7, the first six aksharas of line 8 and only one akshara opening line 9. The inscription must have recorded the gift of a pillar by Chāitisiri. Date lost.
D. 3. North side, third pillar. Only a fragment containing ll. 1-2 almost complete, and besides, a few aksharas of line 3. Date lost.
. D. 4. North side, fourth pillar. Complete in ten lines, 191 to 214 inches long. Gift of a pillar by Cha[m]tisiri. Date as above in last short line.
X. Original position unknown. Complete in nine lines, 24 to 25 inches in length. Donation of a pillar by Chāṁtisiri. Date as above.
6. Chetiya-ghara inscriptions. E. Inscription on floor of apsidal shrine, No. I, immediately to the east of the Mahācbetiva. Inscription complete in two lines, measuring 14 feet 5 inches. Average size of aksharas to inch. Inscription well preserved except first portion of the second line. It records the dedication of a chetiya-ghara or stone mamfava (Skt. mandapa) provided with a cloister (chatusāla) at the foot of the Mahāchetiya by the Mahätalavari Chāṁtisiri, mentioned in several of the ayaka-pillar inscriptions, who here refers to King Siri-Vira purisadata as her son-in-law, for the benefit of the Masters of the Aparamahävinaseliya sect. Date, the eighteenth year of King Siri-Virapurisadata,
F. Inscription on floor of the apsidal shrine, No. II, on the mound Nāharā]labõdu, consisting of three long lines, 18 feet 4 inches to 19 feet in length, and of a fourth short line of 1 foot 9 inches. Average size of aksharas to inch. The inscription is fairly well preserved; here and there some aksharas have been lost. After a lengthy invocation of the Buddha it records the foundation of a chetiya-gharc and of various other religious edifices by an uvasika (Skt. upasika), named, Bodhisiri, together with her relatives, for the benefit of the fraternities (theriya) of the Ceylonese monks who Jud converted a number of countries which are enumerated at great length. Dato, tbe luurteenth year of King Māthariputa (Siri-Virapurisadata I).