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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
222
OLD BRAHMI INSCRIPTIONS
either (1) on the ground that the kings of Pandya were the less powerful allies of the Aira-Meghavahana kings of Kalinga from earlier times, or (2) on the ground that alarming reports of the irresistible force of Kharavela's victorious arms compelled the then reigning king of Pandya to make an alliance, acknowledging the supremacy of King Mahāvijaya Siri-Kharavela of Kalinga.
As to whether Kharavela had at any time invaded Pandya, we should bear in mind that the fact of sending presents by the king of Pandya to King Kharavela is stated in the record of Kharavela's twelfth regnal year. Whether or no, the Hathi-Gumpha inscription bears testimony to the invasion of Pandya by King Kharavela depends, to a large extent, upon the nature of the reading and rendering of the record of Kharavela's eighth regnal year. The following are the three successive readings and renderings of this record that have been offered by Mr. Jayaswal :
I (4) First Reading: Athame ca vase (manatino ?) (dha ma ni ??) ......Goradhagiri ghatapayita Rajagaha-napam piḍapayati etinam ca kamupadana-panadena sabata sena-vahane vipamumcitam Madhuram apayato [.]
(6) First Rendering: "In the eighth year, the ministers (?)...at Goradhagiri.....having got killed, (he) causes oppression to the King of Rajagṛha who by the report of (Kharavela's offer of marching forward, was made to retire to Mathura, leaving behind everywhere his troops and vehicles."
II (a)-Second Reading: Athame ca vase mahati-senaya mahata(bhittim) Goradhagirim ghatapayita Rajagaham upapīḍāpayati [;] etina ca kamma' padana-panadena sambita-sena-vahinim vipamumcitum Madhurām apayato yeva narid(o) (nama)......(mo?) (yacati) vicha-palava-bhar(e)···[•] (6)-Second Rendering: "In the eighth year, he (Kharavela) having got stormed the Gorathagiri (fortress) of great enclosure by a great army, causes pressure around Rajagṛha (lays siege to Rajagṛha). On account of this report of the acts of valour, (i. e., the capture of Goradhagiri, etc.), the king (so-called) to forsake the invested division of his army, went away to Mathura indeed,.. ...."
III (a) Third Reading:
etian(am or a) ca kammapadanasamnadena samb(i)ta-sena-rahano ripamumcitum Madhuram apayato Yavana-raj(a)-Dimi(ṭa or oti) yachati...vi-palava....... [-]
(6)-Third Rendering
"on
account of the report (uproar) occasioned by the acts of valour (i.e., the capture of the Gorathagiri
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