Indian Antiquary Vol 11

Author(s): Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 33

JANUARY, 1882.]
SANSKRIT AND OLD-CANARESE INSCRIPTIONS.
beautiful as a number of full-moons; and his enemies ran away when they saw the setting out of the armies of the king.
(L. 111).-When Bhima and other kings living between the province of Kanchi and the Vindhya (mountains),--who day by day were heard of by Śr 1-Rudrade va, saw him in person at last), they became for a long time (unable through astonishment to close and open their eyelids), as if, mortals (though they were), (they had become) gods possessed of the lovely women of the immortals; and then, having returned to their senses), they betook themselves to that same Rudrade v A, asking for protection.
(L. 114).- I praise king Rudra, in whose mind there never enters any suspicion of pride, though he makes hundreds of learned people the sole recipients of his wealth ; (just as the ocean, having inade Sri-Purushottama the sole possessor of Sri, still condescends and) wakens up the earth with the murmuring of its waves. The king Sri-Rudra is himself a very Chaturanana, a very Satananda, apon this earth, having humbled the highest of kings, as Chaturanana has subjected the rajahasisa-birds to himself; being the sole place of the production of wealth, just as Chaturanana's sole habitation is that which sprang from the waterlily; being the sole cause of the happiness of the best of learned men; being skilled above all others in investigating many sacred writings; being the asylum of the recreations of religious practices, just as Chaturanana is the sole place of the amorous dalliance of Brahmi; and having his behaviour fashioned in accordance with the sacred precepts, just as Chaturanana has an existence which is determined by the duration of) a Kalpa. Rudra is himself a very Kosava,-having a mind intent opon truth, as the mind of Kéśava is devoted to Satya; having thrown aside the miseries of hell; being the asylum of good fortune, as Késava is of Lakshmi; being the supporter of the earth; being the abode of endless enjoy- ments, as Kesava's abode is the hoods of Ananta; being ever dear to the most excellent of the twice-born, as Kêśava is to the king of snakes; being the destroyer of evil misfortunes, as Kláava was of the evil Arishta ; being the giver of desired objects to learned people,
as Kesava is to the gods; being the raiser of his family, as Keśava was of the mountain (Govardhana); and being of handsome appear. ance, as Kesava is the wielder of the discus) Sudarsana. Beautiful is Rudra d dva, who is charming with the necklets of the pearls which have dropped down from the tall elephants in the contests of his unrivalled battles; who destroys the fear that is generated by Bhava; and who is adorned with the petals of waterlilies which are the beautiful eyes of lovely women. While this same Rudrad êva rules the world,--the title of king belongs only to the moon, and not to the greatest among men; the condition of lordship belongs only to Indutilaka, 26 and not to those who have accumulated riches; fierceness of brillianceexists only in the son, and not among enemies; the catching hold of hair is confined to the act of sexual intercourse; the holding of staves exists only among ascetics, and not among the body of the people; disputation is confined to the sacred writings, and exists not in litigation: and there is nowhere any attrition of the wicked, but only of the arani-wood." The liberality of Rudra is limited only by the disappearance of poverty; his prowess is limited only by the destruction of his enemics; his wisdom is as extensive as that of Chaturânana; and his virtuous qualities are without any limit: his lustre is as extensive as the heating power of the sun; the mass of his fame is limited only by pervading the three worlds ; and his intellect shines without any limit in (the study of) religion. O ocean,-thongh thou pervadest the regions; though thou art very great; though thou art the sole refuge of the great; though thou art the birth-place of Sri; though thy heart is propitions and thonch thou art the abode of jewels,-thon wast drunk up by Kumbbasamudbhava" (and didst become) & salt ocean: but not so is this king Rudra; therefore do not vainly enter into rivalry with him! Verily Sri-Rudra dôva was fashioned by Abjasamudbhava by joyfully selecting liberality from the tree of the gods, dignity from the mountain which is made of gold, fortitude from Dasarathi, strength from Purabhit, profundity from the ocean, beauty from Makaradhvaja, and delight in learning from Sura
* Siva. The play is on the meanings of (ja, -'lord,' and 's name of Siva.'
" The wood of the Ficus religiosa, used for kindling fire by attrition.
Agastya.