Tiroḍī Plates of Pravarasena II

Line 1–12

Seen. From the place Narattaṅgavāri:

By the order of the illustrious Pravarasena II, the mahārāja of the Vākāṭakas, who was born of Prabhāvatīguptā, the daughter of the mahārājādhirāja, the illustrious Devagupta; who is the son of the mahārāja, the illustrious Rudrasena II, who acquired an abundance of prosperity by the grace of the divine lord Cakrapāṇi (Viṣṇu); who was the son of the illustrious Pṛthivīṣeṇa I, the mahārāja of the Vākāṭakas, who was intensely devoted to the god Maheśvara, endowed with truthfulness, straightforwardness, compassion, heroism, valour, political wisdom, modesty, high-mindedness, intelligence, devotion to worthy persons, the state of being a righteous conqueror, purity of mind, and other such qualities, who had sons and grandsons and a continuous supply of treasure and an army accumulating for a hundred years, and who conducted himself like Yudhiṣṭhira; who was the son of the illustrious Rudrasena I, the mahārāja of the Vākāṭakas and the son of Gautamīputra, an intense devotee of the god Svāmi-Mahābhairava and the daughter’s son of the illustrious Bhavanāga, the mahārāja of the Bhāraśivas, whose royal family was created by Śiva, who was greatly pleased by their carrying the Śiva liṅga like a load placed upon their shoulders, and who were besprinkled on their heads with the pure water of the river Bhāgīrathī obtained by their valour; and who was the grandson of the illustrious Pravarasena I, the mahārāja of the Vākāṭakas, the Samrāṭa (Universal Monarch), who performed the Agniṣṭoma, Āptoryāma, Ukthya, Ṣoḍaśin, Atirātra, Vājapeya, Bṛhaspatisava, Sādyaskra, and four Aśvamedha sacrifices, and who belonged to the Viṣṇuvṛddha gotra.

Line 13–18

In the western division (aparapaṭṭa) of Bennākaṭa, our officials of noble birth, who are employed by the order of the sarvādhyakṣa (general superintendent) and exercise their authority by our command, as well as our soldiers and policemen, should be directed by the following command, which is already well-known to them:

“Be it known to you that, in order to increase our religious merit, life, power, and prosperity; to secure our well-being in this world and the next; and for the accumulation of the religious merit of our mother, the village named Kośambakhaṇḍa, which lies to the west of Jamalī, to the north of Vardhamānaka, to the east of Mṛgasima, and to the south of Mallakapedhaka, is bestowed here upon Varuṇārya of the Harkari gotra, a student of the Atharvaveda who has mastered the three Vedas and is a resident of Candrapura.

Line 19–25

It is given as a gift not previously made, confirmed with the pouring out of water. And we grant the following exemptions, which are customary for a village bestowed upon a brāhmaṇa proficient in the four Vedas and are appropriate as approved by former kings: It is not to pay taxes; it is not to be entered by regular soldiers and policemen; it does not carry with it the State's customary right to cows and bulls, nor does it carry the royalties on flowers and milk; it is exempt from the obligation to provide pasturage, hides for seats, and charcoal to touring royal officers; it is exempt from royalties on the purchase of fermenting liquors and the digging of salt; it is free from all kinds of forced labour; it is donated together with the right to hidden treasures and deposits, as well as major and minor taxes; it is to be enjoyed for as long as the sun and the moon endure; and it is to follow the succession of sons and grandsons. No one should cause an obstruction while the donee or his successors are enjoying it. This grant should be preserved and increased by all means. And whosoever, disregarding our order, causes or makes others cause even the slightest obstruction, upon him, when complained against by the brāhmaṇas, we will inflict punishment together with a fine.”

Line 26–30

And in this matter of religion, in order to avoid boasting of meritorious deeds already done, we do not recount our care and protection of the grants of many past kings. We issue this command to the present rulers who have been vanquished by our resolve, attack, and valour, and we make this request to future lords out of reverence for them.

And the following verse, sung by Vyāsa, should be regarded as authoritative on this point:

(Here occurs an imprecatory verse)

Line 31–32

In the twenty-third year, on the twelfth lunar day of the dark fortnight of the month of Māgha. The order was communicated by the king himself. It has been written by the rājyādhikṛta Camidāsa.

SEAL

This is the enemy-chastising command of King Pravarasena II, the ornament of the Vākāṭakas, who has attained royal fortune by inheritance.