The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c16.s1: Prinsep's Translation
The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c16.s1
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Prinsep's Translation
v2.c16.s1.1
Line 1. Salutation (or glory) to the Arhantas, glory to all saints: (or those who have attained final emancipation). By Aira, the great king,—borne on his mighty cloud chariot,—rich in possession of the purest wealth of heart and desire,—of exceeding personal beauty,—having an army of undaunted courage—by him (was made) the excavation of the eighty-three rocky peaks of *Kaliṅga dwipa*.
v2.c16.s1.2
Line 2. (By him) possessed of a comely form at the age of fifteen years,— then joining in youthful sports,— afterwards for nine years engaged in mastering the arts of reading and writing, arithmetic, navigation, commerce and law;— and resplendent in all knowledge;— (the former rājā being then in his eighty-fifth year) thus at the age of twentyfour, full of wisdom and uprightness and on the verge of manhood, (lit. the remainder of youth) (through him) does a third—
v2.c16.s1.3
Line 3. Victory, in the battle of the city of the Kaliṅga royal family, sanctify the accession (anointment) of the Mahārājā,.
v2.c16.s1.4
Upon his accession choosing the Brahmanical faith, he causes to be repaired the city, walls, and houses, (that had been) destroyed by a storm. For the poor (or ascetics) of Kaliṅga a reservoir of cool water and a *ghāt* (?) also presents of every necessary and equipages he makes permanent endowment of.
v2.c16.s1.5
Line 4. With eighty-three hundred thousand *panas*, he gains the affection of his people. And in a second house (which) the architect has prepared on the western side, (for) horses, elephants, men, carriages, a number of chambers he caused to be established. For those coming from the Kansa forest to see; the balcony—of the inhabitants of Sākanagara; he, inclining to virtue.
v2.c16.s1.6
Line 5. Skilled in the science of music, causing to be sounded the *dampana* and the *tabhata* (drums ?) with beautiful and merry dancing girls, causes diversions. In like manner turning his mind to law, in an establishment of learned men, he (called together ?) the Buddhist priests of eastern Kaliṅga who were settled there under the ancient Kings—
v2.c16.s1.7
Line 6. Jewel—all equipages—he gives to god. Afterwards inclining to charity—the hundred houses (?) of Nanda rājā destoryed, and himself expelled, all that was in the city [26] of Vajapanādi (?) he converted the plunder to the charitable purposes alluded to.
v2.c16.s1.8
Line 7. He munificently distributed in charity may hundred thousand panas—
v2.c16.s1.9
Line 8. (To) the princes who caused (its) destruction, he ordains the pain of the cavern (imprisons in one of the caves ?) and causes the murderer to labour by a generous requital. Seated on the hill—and lavishes bland speeches and obeisance.
v2.c16.s1.10
Line 9. Apes, bulls, horses, elephants, buffaloes (?) and all requisites for the furniture of the house;—to induce the practice of rejecting improper persons, he further bestowed (or appointed) attendants of the Beiman caste (Brahman ?).
v2.c16.s1.11
Line 10. Rājā causes to be made the palace (or fort) of fifteen victories.
v2.c16.s1.12
Line 11. Finding no glory in the country which had been the seat of the ancient princes,—a city abounding in envy, and hypocrisy, and reflecting in the year thirteen hundred. Falling of heavenly form,—twelve.
v2.c16.s1.13
Line 12. Not translated.
v2.c16.s1.14
Line 13. He distributes much gold at Benares,—he gives as charity innumerable and most precious jewels.
v2.c16.s1.15
Line 14. In the year thirteen hundred married with the daughter of the so-called conqueror of the mountains (hill Rājā)
v2.c16.s1.16
Line 15. Not translated.
v2.c16.s1.17
Line 16. He causes to be constructed subterranean chambers, caves containing a chetiya temple and pillars.
v2.c16.s1.18
Line 17. For whom the happy heretics continually pray—slayer, having a lakh of equipages—the fearless sovereign of many hills, by the sun (cherished ? or some such epithet) the great conqueror Rājā Khāravelasunda (or the king of the ocean-shore).
Linked texts (1)
- Brāhmaṇa — Sanskrit