The Colas c22.9

c22.9

'Out of the heap of pure gold which had been brought and poured out before him by kings as tribute due for the tenth year (after the time) when a gold leaf (set with) royal gems was engraved (with the words): 'May (the King) live long (and) protect this great earth',¹⁸ (he) covered (with) fine gold the enclosure, the gate towers, halls and buildings surrounding the shrine of pure gold where his family-God (viz. Naṭēśa) practises the *tāṇḍava* (dance), as if the splendid circular mountain surrounding the earth were combined with the Eastern mountain; covered (with) splendid gold the altar on which offerings abound, so that the light of heaven was reflected (by it); covered (with) pure gold and adorned with numerous