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288
and whose feet are kissed by the flood of lustre radiating from the jewels in the diadems of ruling princes.
JAINISM IN SOUTH INDIA
Lines 40-63. May he live for ever, the illustrious teacher Nēmichandra Panditadeva; who has seen across the nectar ocean of scriptures containing elucidation of the true nature of the existing and non-existing objects and other propositions, which have sprung from the lotus mouth of the revered and supreme lord, the great Master Arhat whose lotus feet are ever adorned by the rays of lustre emanating from the cluster of rubies studded in the charming golden diadems worn by the hosts of the sovereigns of men, the lords of serpents and the leaders of gods; who is a whirlwind to the mass of clouds, the six unestablished doctrines; who is consummate master in the performance of the eminent twelvefold austerities; who is the moon in the circle of stars of the Krāṇur gana; who has quenched the unbearable heat of evil actions by his sportive excursions in the sandalwood garden of righteous character; who has protected the religion of the great Lord Jina; who has brushed aside all transitory emotions by his well-established position in the supreme state of harmony, blissful with the unbounded, unequalled and perpetual bliss; whose prowess is never challenged; who is like an incised slab of stone bearing the inscription of the doctrine of May-be (Syadvāda) denying the existence of god-head; who is an ornamental plate, as it were, adorning the forehead of the graceful Goddess of Learning; who has brightened the abodes of the ladies of the quarters by the white paint of his pervading fame, immaculate like the milky ocean, a necklace of pearls or snow; who has annihilated the over-powering intoxication of the God of Love; who is bedecked with the jewels of several virtues sprung from the ocean of self-restraint; who is the support of the congregation of fourfold class of monks; who is worshipper of the feet of the illustrious teacher Subhakirti Saiddhantadēva; and who imparts intensive knowledge to the followers of the Jaina doctrine.
INSCRIPTION NO. 7
(Found on a Pillar at Sēḍam)
This inscription was found incised on a square pillar of stone set up on a raised platform near the northern gate-way of Seḍam. The pillar which was probably standing free originally was now partly covered by the wall of a building, evidently of later day construction. The epigraph is written on two sides of the pillar. The inscribed area on each side measures 50 inches in length and 12 inches in breadth approximately. The document consists of 140 lines, of which 72 are carved on one face and 68 on another.
The characters are old Kannada prevailing in Karnāṭaka in the 12th century A. D. They are of a roundish mode and executed neatly. There are
