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86 EPIGRAPHIA INDICA
[VOL. XXXIV only in books (or, sheaves of manuscript leaves), unsteadiness only in horses, ruttiness (or arrogance) only in elephants, separation of coalescence (or, war) only in grammar, fault-finding only n fabrics, elision of syllables (or, confusion in caste system) only in the science of etymology, and where also it is wind alone that may turn westerly (or, adverse);
(Verse 7) in which, towards the nightfall, love-lorn ladies, having eyes as pretty as lotus-petals, desiring (to meet) their iovers, walk about, with their limbs gracefully limp, with their anklets freely jingling as they step along, on the roads where the fine houses of their sweet-hearts are shown by the glow, emanating from those leaping flames of the sacrificial) fire, fed by the plentiful clarified butter thrown in by the Brāhmaṇa priests, that have completely consumed the thickening darkness (all round);
(Verse 8) where, having seen the smoke, hovering high up in the sky, like jet-black ink, arising from the fire-Bacrifices started by the Brāhmaṇa priests well-versed in (all) the three Vödas, and having heard the chundering noise of the drums and cymbals being beaten in the temples, the peacocks, with their hearts gladdened (and) with their variegated feathers spread out, emitting sweet notes, always feverishly display their dance as they (normally) do during the rains (only).
(Verse 9) In that (city) there lives & widely renowned illustrious teacher, named Indralarman, who, being surrounded by such Brāhmaṇas of pure conduct as have decimated the evil) influence of the Kaliage with the weapon in the form of the performance) of their sixfold duty, exceedingly shines forth.
(Verse 10) If Indra surveys (with his thousand eyes), if Sēsha, the king of serpents, recounts (with his thousand mouths), of the demon Bapa, aided by Kartavirya, writes (with the thousand hands of each of them) on the surface of the earth with the Mount Mēru (for a pen), even then none of them indeed comes to the end of the abundance of his (Indrasarman's) virtues.
(Verse 11) "Rivers are crowded with many animals like alligators, mountains are covered with clusters of trees, nether worlds are occupied by snakes, royal palaces are swarmed with horses, foot-soldiers and lordly elephants, forests are infested with carnivorous beaste,- I see no other place for me in the wide world," thinking thus, methinks, his (Indrasarman's) own Fame betook herself to heaven, the abode of gods.
(Verse 12) There in that city) lived an excellent banker, (named) Nägahari, who belonged to the Dharkata family. He was as well-to-do as he was grateful. He constructed a temple of Vishnu on the bank of the tank known as) Vaidya-tadāga, with (an image of the deity (installed therein).
(Verse 13) He (Nāgahari) was wise (and) the delight of good people ; (bul) there was only one great fault in his family, namely, the descendants, though held in esteem, outstrip their ancestors in great service to the Brāhmaṇas, in intelligence (and) in wealth.
Verse 14) He (Nägahari) was devoutly pious. He had a son, Vishnuhari (by name), who became very famous in the world. To him, there was nothing that could not be given to the beggars, to the sorrow-stricken, to the Brāhmaṇas and to those who sought refuge under him.
1 The sixfold duty onjoined on a Brahmape consists of reading and teaching the Vedas, performing and making other perform soorificos, giving and receiving charities. Cf. Mamuemiti, x, 78.
