________________
THE EARLY FAITH OF AṢOKA.
No. 16, with the date of Sam. 83, and the name of Mahárája Vásu-deva, records, on the pedestal of a naked statue, "the gift of an image." No. 18, in like manner, preserves, at the foot of "a naked figure," the entry of Sam. 87, and the titles of Mahárája Rájatirája Sháhi Vásu-deva.
82
No. 20, which is, perhaps, the most important of the whole series of inscriptions, is appended to a "Naked standing figure," and commences with the following words:
"Siddham Aum? Namo Arahate Mahávírasya Devanásasya Rájnya Vásu Devasya Samvatsare 98, Varsha Máse, 4 divase, 11 etasya."
"Glory to the Arhat Mahávíra, the destroyer of the Devas! (In the reign) of King Vásu-deva, in the Samvat year 98, in Varsha (the rainy season), the 4th month, the 11th day," etc.
Without doubt this list might be largely extended from concurrent paleolithic documents, which do not so definitely declare themselves as of Jaina import; but enough has been adduced to establish the fact of the full and free usage of the Jaina religion in Mathurá so early as the epoch of the Indo-Scythian Kanerkis.
