The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c31.760

v2.c31.760

(4) *Cintra stone-inscription*.—Incised on a long slab of polished black stone which is now preserved in the Quinta of Don João de Castro at Cintra. Its contents however show that it originally belonged to a temple at Veraval or Somnath. It contains 66 lines of writing, and opens with *Oṁ oṁ namaḥ Śivāya*; then follow three verses containing a *maṅgala* addressed to Śiva and Gaṇeśa. Next come the genealogy of the Vāghelās from Viśvamalla³ to Sāraṅgadeva (Vs. 4-13). Next is described the spiritual family of the Lakulīśa-Pāśupata⁴ ascetic Tripurāntaka, the benefactor of the Tīrtha of Somnātha (Vs. 14-39). Verses 40-46 inform us that Tripurāntaka built temples, and dedicated 5 *Liṅgas*, and erected a *toraṇa* at Somnath. Verses 47-72 ‘enumerate the benefactions which Tripurāntaka made in order to provide for the service of his temples’ and the rules regarding the worship. V. 76 states that the *praśasti* was composed by Dharaṇīdhara, written by the *mantrin* Vikrama, and incised by the *Śilpin* Pūṇasīha. At the end we are told that the *Liṅga-pratiṣṭhā-mahotsava* took place in V.S. 1343 (1287 A.D.)⁵ (5) *Anavada stone-inscription.*—Found during excavation work at Anavada, the old Aṇahilapāṭaka, nearly 3 miles from Patan, in the Kadi division. It contains 24 lines, and begins with the opening stanza of Jayadeva's *Gīta-Govinda*. Then follows the date, (V.) Saṁvat 1348 (c. 1291 A.D.), when *M.* Sāraṅgadeva was reigning at Aṇahilavāṭaka, and while *Mahāsāṁdhi* (*vigrahika*) *Mahāmā*(*tya*) Madhusūdana was transacting the business of the Seal, and the *Pañcakula* consisted of Peṭhaḍa and others. It then records a list of gifts which was made on that date and also previously by various persons, merchants and shipowners (*nau-vittaka*), etc., for the worship, offerings and theatricals in honour of Kṛṣṇa.¹