Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the Other Indo-Aryan Languages c14.s5: 7. Kahāuṃ Pillar Inscription of the Time of Skandagupta
Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the Other Indo-Aryan Languages c14.s5
- Language
- English
7. Kahāuṃ Pillar Inscription of the Time of Skandagupta
c14.s5.1
| Location | On a stone pillar at Kahāuṃ, Gorakhpur Dist., UP |
| Script | Eastern Brāhmī of the Gupta period |
| Language | Sanskrit (verse) |
| Meter | *Sragdharā* (vv. 1–3) |
| Type and format | Dedicatory stone pillar inscription |
| Purpose | Records the erection by Madra, son of Rudrasoma, of the pillar with five images of Jaina saints |
| Date | Gupta year 141, month of Jyeṣṭha (day not specified) = a.d. 460 |
| References | J. F. Fleet, CII 3, 65–8; D. R. Bhandarkar, CII 3 (rev. ed.), 305–8; D. C. Sircar, SI I.316–7. |
c14.s5.2
*Text*
c14.s5.3
[*In upper left margin:*] siddham
1. yasyopasthānabhūmir nṛpatiśataśiraḥpātavātāvadhūtā
2. guptānāṃ vanśajasya p[r]avisṛtayaśasas tasya sarvvottamarddheḥ [*/]
3. rājye śakropamasya kṣitipaśatapateḥ skandaguptasya śānte
4. varṣe ttriṅśaddaśaikottarakaśatatame jyeṣṭhamāsi prapanne /[*/ 1]
5. khyāte smin grāmaratne kakubha iti janais sādhusaṃsargapūte / [*sic*]
6. puttro yas somilasya pracuraguṇanidher bhaṭṭisomo mahāt[m]ā [*/]
7. tatsūnū rudrasoma[*ḥ] pṛthulamatiyaśā vyāghra ity anyasaṃjño [*sic*] /
8. madras tasyātmajo bhūd dvijaguruyatiṣu prāyaśaḥ prītimān yaḥ /[*/ 2]
9. puṇyaskandhaṃ sa cakkre jagad idam akhilaṃ saṃsarad vīkṣya bhīto
10. śreyortthaṃ bhūtabhūtyai pathi viyamavatāṃ arhatāṃ ādikarttṝn [*/]
11. pañcendrāṃ sthāpayitvā dharaṇidharamayān sannikhātas tato yaṃ
12. śailastambhaḥ sucārur girivaraśikharāgropamaḥ kīrttikarttā [*// 3]
c14.s5.4
Notes
c14.s5.5
Line 2: *vanśa-*, [4] *ttriṅśad-*, [11] *pañcendrāṃ*: for *vaṃśa-*, *t(t)riṃśad-*, and *pañcendrān*. The loose application of nasal sandhi and orthographic rules is typical of inscriptional usage (see 3.3.2 and 3.3.8.1). Line 10: *viyamavatāṃ*: Read *niyamavatām*. Line 10: *ādikarttṛn*: Read *ādikarttṝn*.
c14.s5.6
FIGURE 17. Kahāum pillar inscription of the time of Skandagupta. From Fleet, CII III, pl. ix.A; copyright, Archaeological Survey of India.
c14.s5.7
Verse 1. Success! During the peaceful reign of Skandagupta, Lord over a hundred kings, who is like Śakra (Indra), whose audience hall is fanned by the breeze from the bowing of the heads of a hundred kings, who was born in the lineage of the Guptas, whose glory has spread afar, and who prospers above all others; in the hundredth year, plus thirty and ten and one [i.e., 141], when the month of Jyeṣṭha had arrived;
c14.s5.8
Verse 2. In this jewel of a village known among the people as Kakubha, which is sanctified by the presence of good men, [there dwelt] the noble Bhaṭṭisoma, who was the son of Somila, a mine of many virtues; his son was Rudrasoma, also known as Vyāghra, of great intelligence and glory; [and] his son was Madra, who was ever affectionate toward Brahmans, *gurus*, and ascetics;
c14.s5.9
Verse 3. He [Madra] perceived that all this world is transitory, and being [thus] afraid, he created a mass of merit for [his own] benefit [and] for the well-being of [all] creatures, [by] setting up in stone (these) five Lords, the leaders on the path of the self-restraining *Arhats*. Then [he] erected this very beautiful stone pillar, which is like the highest peak of a mighty mountain, and which confers fame [upon him].
c14.s5.10
Verse 2: Kakubha: This provides the original form of the name of the modern village Kahāuṃ (Kahāwaṃ, Kahaon, etc.). Verse 3: "five Lords": *pañcendrāṃ* refers to the five Tīrthaṅkaras sculpted on the pillar. Cf. SI I.317 n. 3.