Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the Other Indo-Aryan Languages c14.s7: 9. Văt Ph'u Stone Inscription of Jayavarman [I]
Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the Other Indo-Aryan Languages c14.s7
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9. Văt Ph'u Stone Inscription of Jayavarman [I]
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| Location | Văt Ph'u, Basăk, Laos |
| Script | Cambodian derivative of (southern?) Brāhmī |
| Language | Sanskrit (verse) |
| Meters | *Śārdūlavikrīḍita* (vv. 1, 3–5); *sragdharā* (2) |
| Type and format | Stone stele; royal administrative order |
| Purpose | Records the king's order prohibiting the killing of animals within the sacred precincts of the Liṅgaparvata |
| Date | None given; ca. second half of seventh century A.D. |
| References | A. Barth, "Stèle de Vat Phou," *BEFEO* 2, 1902, 235–40; L. Finot, *Inscriptions du Cambodge*, II, pl. XL (K.367); G. Coedès, *Inscriptions du Cambodge*, II.78
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FIGURE 19. Văt Ph’u stone inscription of Jayavarman [I]. From BEFEO 2, plate facing p. 230; reprinted by permission of the École Française d’Extrême-Orient.
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*Translation* (arranged by verse number)
c14.s7.4
who had won [?] the magic gem of understanding of subtle matters through his unequaled knowledge (*dhīṣaṇā* [?]) of fine song, music, dance, etc.;
c14.s7.5
3. Whose body had a strong, broad, and thick chest and shoulders, great thighs, and Verse 5: "(people) may go at will, (but) they must not go . . .": Following Barth’s (240 n. 1) suggested alternative translation.