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Hail! Om! While Bhairju is an officer and mahāpradhāna of the illustrious Keśideva, who bears the titles Paścimasamudrādhipati and Koṅkaṇa-cakravartī—at such a time in the śaka year 1131, the cyclic year being Vibhava, Bhairju dug…….and Adhora, who is a Pradhāna of the same king, excavated . . . .in honour of Mahālakṣmī. May the world be happy!

Line 1

In the Śaka year 982, on Friday, the 9th tithi of the bright fortnight of Śrāvaṇa during the victorious reign of the illustrious mahāmaṇḍaleśvara, Māṃvāṇirājadeva, who has obtained the five mahāśabdas, who is appearing glorious with all royal titles such as the lord of the mahāmaṇḍaleśvaras,’ ‘veritable Dāmodara in the destruction of the demons that are his enemies’, ‘an adamantine cage for the protection of those that seek his refuge’ and so forth-

Line 2-3

During the augmenting, beneficial and victorious reign of that king; while the mahāmātya, the illustrious Bimbapaiya, the mahāpradhāna, the illustrious Nāgaṇaiya, the lekha-sāndhivigrahika, the illustrious Vakavaiya, the mahāsāndhivigrahika, illustrious Jogalaiya, the Senior bhāṇḍāgārasthepāḍhisena, the illustrious Mahādevaiya, the Junior bhāṇḍāgārasena Bhāilaiya, and others who are in charge of the śrīkaraṇa (administration), are bearing the burden of the cares of his entire kingdom.

Line 4-6

The illustrious Mahārājaguru Nābhāṭa, the junior rājaguru Vilaṇḍaśivabhaṭṭa the Śhakāṇa Paivayaka, the mahāsāmanta, the illustrious Tāsivarājala, having undertaken the work of construction, have completed this temple of the mahāmaṇḍaleśvara, the illustrious Chittarājadeva known as the temple of Ambaranātha in Pāṭapallī governed by Bhagala.

From Padmapura:

...[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;...[and who was] 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, who were besprinkled on their heads with the pure water of the river Bhāgīrathī obtained by their valour, and who performed the ritual ablutions upon the completion of ten Aśvamedha sacrifices...

Success! Hail!

Verse 1

May the fortune of living beings who perform the religious observances which are the most important in their worldly existence, be in abundance by the grace of their favourite deity!

Verse 2

There was the lord of the Vidyādharas, Jīmūtavāhana by name, a good son of Jīmūtaketu, who sacrificed his life to Garuḍa.

Verse 3

From him was descended the Silāra family, the best among the royal families of Siṃhala, which became extremely powerful as it had the good fortune of the blessings of abundant beings.

Verse 4

In that family there was the well-known king Saṇaphulla by name, who had the favour of Kṛṣṇarāja. He occupied the country stretching from the shore of the ocean to the Sahaya mountain.

Verse 5

He had a son, Dhammiyara by name, who was another Dharma incarnate.
Valorous as he was. He, the fortunate one, founded the great fort of Balipattana.

Verse 6

After him, there was king Aiyapa, who had the qualities of a conqueror, who was crowned with the water of the coconut trees growing near Candrapura.

Verse 7

From him was born Avasara I, who was conversant with the principles of the science of politics; who, being of terrible valour, burnt with his sole eye the bundle of sticks in the form of his enemies.

Verses 8-9

From him was born his son named Ādityavarman, whose splendour was like that of the Sun. From him was born Avasara II, a righteous king, who vanquished his enemies, and who rendered military assistance to the rulers of Cemūlya and Candrapura. From him was born Indrarāja, who appeared very splendid by his liberality as well as the enjoyment of pleasures.

Verse 10

From him was born Bhīma of abundant fortune, valorous like the Pāṇḍava Bhīma, who, brilliant as he was, annexed Candramaṇḍala by his valour even as Rāhu devours the moon by his lustre.

Verse 11

From him was descended king Avasara III, possessed of great discrimination. Wise as he himself was, he gave support to learned men. He was brave and had a very handsome form.

Verse 12

From him was born the king, Raṭṭa by name, the foremost among the meritorious, conversant with political wisdom, and self-controlled, who waits upon those who are proficient in the principles of political science.

Line 32

In prosperous Balipattana situated in the kingdom of mahāmāṇḍalika Raṭṭarāja, which is increasing and venerable like the Sun and the Moon—

Raṭṭarāja, having called together the residents of the five great maṭhas, guilds, artisans and the chief amātyas, informs them as follows:-

Be it known to you. On the occasion of the Uttarāyaṇa Saṅkrānti, on Sunday, the first tithi of the dark fortnight of Puṣya (i.e. Pauṣa) in the cyclic year Sādhāraṇa in the years nine hundred increased by thirty-two, which have elapsed by the era of the śaka King, in figures also 932, the illustrious Raṭṭarāja, adorned with all royal titles, has, by pouring water with his own hand on the hand of the donee, granted to Saṅkamaiya, son of the Brāhmaṇa Seṇāvai Nāgamaiya, a rice–field yielding two crops annually in the rice-village of Kalvāla, with……… an orchard of areca-nuts was also given to him as a means of livelihood of a Brāhmaṇa named Chāṭhavaiya, son of Kuṃvaraiya, grandson of the Brāhmaṇa Sañjhaiya, residing in the hamlet named Āvaḍi, situated to the west of the agrahāra village Palauree, for the religious merit of his grand-daughter Annaṇā, ………… the well-known boundaries of the orchard being as follows—on the east, a stone temple; on the south the river; on the west, the sea near Voribhāṭhā; on the north, the village Gāvoma.

Line 61

The sons and grandsons of the illustrious Raṭṭarāja, should preserve this gift as tax-free, with all the exemptions in favour of the sons and grandsons of this Brāhmaṇa. If this gift is confiscated, there would be a great sin. And it has been said by the sages –

         (Here follow three benedictory and imprecatory verses.)

Line 75

He who, though thus entreated, will confiscate this old religious gift, his mind being clouded by the Kali Age, will experience the effect of his action in a hell.

         (Here follow two similar verses.)

Line 84

Having understood these sayings of the sages, all future kings should covet only the religious reward of the preservation of this gift and should not incur any infamy due to its confiscation.

In confirmation of this gift, the illustrious Raṭṭarāja puts his hand to his signature.

“This is the signature of Me, the illustrious Raṭṭarāja.”

Verse 18

A charter becomes authoritative when it is faultless in regard to its seal, faultless in regard to the observance of rules, and faultless as regards possession, and has the requisite marks, and is faultless in respect of the king’s signature.

This has been written by the son, named Lokapārya, of the Sāndhivigrahika, the illustrious Devapāla.

May there be bliss and great prosperity!

Do not take away this gift-charter.

Verse 1

There was, in the lineage of the Pāṇḍavas of extremely spotless glory and abundant lustre, a king of Mekalā who acquired wide fame and became foremost among the lords of the earth. He, by his own glorious deeds, has for all time become renowned in this world by the name of Jayabala, a disposer of fortune, who had a charming form and was adorned with a multitude of excellent qualities.

Verse 2

He had a son, who resembled the lord of Vatsa (i.e., Udayana); who attained victories in battles; who was famous, compassionate, endowed with virtues, and conversant with religious rites; and who made the gardens of the houses of his enemies crowded with wild beasts.

Verse 3

There was the king, the illustrious Vatsarāja, who was magnanimous; who extolled the good deeds of others; who could differentiate between merits, was obliging to his people, righteous, and devoted to good policy.

Line 8

His son was the illustrious mahārāja Nāgabala, born of the illustrious queen Droṇabhaṭṭārikā, who meditated on his feet; who was a devout worshipper of Maheśvara (Śiva) and a great patron of the Brāhmaṇas; who was regarded as the most revered teacher, a deity, and the supreme divinity, and who was possessed of royal fortune.

Verse 4

As he marched along, the earth, the paths of which were pounded by the hoofs of his horses, obscured the quarters, their farthest regions becoming dry and disturbed by dust; but his elephants, whose temples were soiled with rutting juice, immediately restored order to them, making them wet with the spray of their rut.

Line 13

Then there is his son, the illustrious mahārāja Bharata, born of the illustrious queen Indrabhaṭṭārikā, who meditates on his feet; who is a devout worshipper of Maheśvara and a great patron of the Brāhmaṇas; and who is regarded as the most revered teacher, a deity, and the supreme divinity.

Verse 5

From her, who was endowed with the qualities of compassion and good nature as well as generosity and wisdom, there was born the son known as Indra, possessed of a spotless and lovely lustre, even as Kārttikeya was born from Pārvatī, the daughter of the lord of mountains.

Verse 6

He is the god Indra in the destruction of his enemies and the god Fire, brilliant with lustre; he is amiable and steadfast in his adherence to good behavior. He has attained authority and eminence in consequence of the sacred mantras recited by the Brāhmaṇas; his appearance makes good persons happy and leads to the attainment, by the people, of religious merit and prosperity. He is always honoured by good persons with presents of wealth, even as a sacrificial fire kindled on the altar is with offerings of ghee, etc.

Verse 7

He is the powerful one who has covered all regions with the dead bodies of the multitude of mighty and roaring enemies whom he has forcibly overthrown, even as an excellent quarter-elephant does with the lofty, thickly growing, and resounding trees which it uproots. May the Earth, who yields the three objects of religious merit, wealth, and enjoyment, produce abundant prosperity due to good government throughout the entire dominion of this king who thus exerts himself!

Verse 8

The illustrious king Bharata, the foremost among the lords of the earth, resembles Indra, the lord of gods, in valour. It is he who has given shelter to the Fortune of the multitude of foes slain by him, when she resorted to his arm.
The matchless one—

Verse 9

who is, as it were, the Gaṅgā herself, descended here from the world of gods, sanctifying the people, she who has a character bright and spotless like crystal, which is purified by restraints and vows, even as the Gaṅgā has a pure stream of crystal-like white and clear water flowing within its banks; and who is endowed with a multitude of tranquility and other virtues, just as the Gaṅgā has its waves of water;

Verse 10

who, named Lokaprakāśā, has become the best royal consort of the king Bharatabala, whose fame is lovely like the moonbeams. Being born in a family of the gods, she has become highly renowned. By her constant pursuit of the three purushārthas of religious merit, prosperity, and happiness, she has dispelled the darkness of ignorance and has become extremely resplendent in the world; and she has attained an eminent status with her sons and grandsons, who, lion-like princes as they are, are devoted to justice and discipline.

Verse 11

The illustrious king, the sovereign, who is endowed with a multitude of excellences, who has destroyed his enemies, whose pair of feet, having the grace of full-blown lotuses and rubbed by the heads of several feudatory princes subdued by his perfect triad of powers, has overcome all regions, and whose birth is highly extolled by the people as being in the famous Lunar race,

Line 34

He issues the following order to all residents concerned, headed by the officials (viz., the Grāmakūṭa, the Chief of the Droṇāgraka, the Devavārika, and the Gaṇḍakas) in the village Vardhamānaka in the viṣaya of Pañcagartā, included in the Uttara rāṣṭra (Northern Division) of Mekalā,

Line 36

“Be it known to you that for the increase of the religious merit of Our father and mother and of Ourself, We have donated this village extending to its four boundaries—together with udraṅga and uparikara, together with treasures and deposits, and with the privilege that it is not to be entered by our soldiers and policemen except for punishing thieves, to the illustrious Lohitasarasvāmin of the Vatsa gotra and the Mādhyandina śākhā, to be enjoyed by him and his successors as long as the moon, the sun, the earth, and the stars will endure.

Knowing this, you should obey his orders and offer him the bhoga and bhāga according to custom.”

This command has been given by Me personally. And those kings also who will be born in our family should consent to and maintain these gifts. And whosoever will cause obstruction in the enjoyment of this grant will incur the guilt of the five great sins.
(Here occur three benedictive and imprecatory verses.)

Line 47

This charter is concluded. In the year 2 of the increasingly victorious reign, on the thirteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight of Bhādrapada, the nakṣatra being Puṣya.
This charter has been written by Śiva, son of the Rāhasika Īśana, and engraved by Mihiraka, son of the goldsmith Īśvara.

Success ! Hail ! May there be victory and prosperity!

In the years eleven hundred increased by twenty which have elapsed by the era of the śaka King—in figures, śaka year 1120—on Monday, the 15th tithi of the dark fortnight of Mārgaśiras, in the cyclic year Kālayukta—on this day, here, in the beneficial and victorious reign of the mahārājādhirāja, Paramēśvara, the illustrious Anantadēvarāya, adorned with all royal titles, while the government consisting of the mahāmātya Nāika Vrīhimaprabhu (and) . . the illustrious Vāhimaprabhu is bearing the burden of the cares of administering the whole kingdom obtained by his grace, the Kōnkana-chakravartī, mahāmandālēśvara, mahārāja, the illustrious Anantadēva II has donated to . . in the orchard of Amātya . . of Sāmantapai, son of Lāhugiprabhu . sheaves 1000 sheaves 1000

(Here follow two benedictory and imprecatory verses.)

Line 1-8

Success! Hail! In the śaka Year 1083, on Monday, the 15th tithi of the dark fortnight of the month Puṣya (Pauṣa) included in the cyclic year Vṛṣa, on the holy occasion of a solar eclipse, on this day here, during the reign of the illustrious Mallikārjuna, who has obtained all the five mahāśabdas and who is adorned with all royal titles such as mahāsāmantādhipati, tagarāpura-parameśvara and the illustrious Śilāhāra king, while the administration is carried on by the mahāsāndhivigrahika Prabhākaranāyaka, the senior sthapāti (treasurer) of the Government, the illustrious mahāpradhāna Anantapaiprabhu and the junior sthapāti (treasurer) Amuka—at such a time, when the holy Vedaśiva is the Rājaguru and Vyomaśiva, is the Bhopaka—

Line 9-18 

There shines the illustrious Bhopaka Vyomaśiva, who is a Kalpavṛkṣa (wishfulfilling tree) to suppliants, having discrimination as its root, merit as its mass of foliage, wealth as its branches, fame as its flowers and spiritual well-being as its fruit.

These repairs have been caused to be made by those two. The work has been executed by Lakhaṇa Vaṇgaka, son of Mahadugiva Jhā. By the same two a well has been dug at their preceptor’s place, Loṇavāṭaka in the territorial division of Paṭālasaka included in the viṣaya of Kaṭaṣaḍi has been donated to Lakhaṇa Upādhyāya. This religious gift has been given for the penance and happiness of the donor.

That person who would preserve this gift… … would obtain wealth. None should object to this gift. The mother of him, however, who would cause obstruction… … by an ass.

SET A

Lines 1-12

Seen. Success! Hail! From Nandivardhana:

By the order of the illustrious Pravarasena II, the mahārāja of the Vākāṭakas, who is a fervent devotee of Maheśvara; who, by the grace of Śambhu, has established the Kṛta-yuga (Golden Age) on the earth; who was born of Prabhāvatīguptā, the daughter of the mahārājādhirāja, the illustrious Devagupta; and 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), and who was the son of the illustrious Pṛthivīseṇa I, the mahārāja of the Vākāṭakas, who was intensely devoted to the god Maheśvara, who was endowed with truthfulness, straightforwardness, compassion, heroism, valour, political wisdom, modesty, high-mindedness, intelligence, devotion to worthy persons, and with the state of being a righteous conqueror, purity of mind, and such other qualities, who had sons and grandsons and a continuous supply of treasure and army which had been accumulating for a hundred years, who conducted himself like Yudhiṣṭhira, and who was the son of the illustrious Rudrasena I, the mahārāja of the Vākāṭakas and the son of Gautamīputra, who was intensely devoted to the god Svāmi-Mahābhairava, who was 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 liṅga of Śiva like a load placed on their shoulders, and who were besprinkled on their heads with the pure water of the river Bhāgīrathī that had been obtained by their valour, who was the son 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 Aśvamedhas, and who was of the Viṣṇuvṛddha gotra.

Line 13

The village Mahalla-lāṭa in the Asi bhukti in the mārga of Śailapura has been donated by us to Sūryasvāmin of the Kaśyapa gotra and Taittirīya śākhā, who resides in the village Pravareśvara-shaḍviṃśati-vāṭaka.

Wherefore, our officials of noble birth, who are employed by the order of the sarvādhyakṣa (general superintendent) and who exercise their authority by our command, and 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, victory, and prosperity, to secure our well-being in this world and the next, and to obtain blessings for ourself, we have given this village as a gift not previously made, with the pouring out of water, in our victorious place of religious worship."                                   (The rest of the grant is not forthcoming.)

SET B

Lines 12-23

By the order of the illustrious Pravarasena II, the mahārāja of the Vākāṭakas, who is a fervent devotee of Maheśvara; who, by the grace of Śambhu, has established the Kṛta yuga (Golden Age) on the earth; who was born of Prabhāvatīguptā, the daughter of the mahārājādhirāja, the illustrious Devagupta; and 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), and who was the son of the illustrious Pṛthivīseṇa I, the mahārāja of the Vākāṭakas, who was intensely devoted to the god Maheśvara, who was endowed with truthfulness, straightforwardness, compassion, heroism, valour, political wisdom, modesty, high-mindedness, intelligence, devotion to worthy persons, and with the state of being a righteous conqueror, purity of mind, and such other qualities, who had sons and grandsons and a continuous supply of treasure and army which had been accumulating for a hundred years, who conducted himself like Yudhiṣṭhira, and who was the son of the illustrious Rudrasena I, the mahārāja of the Vākāṭakas and the son of Gautamīputra, who was intensely devoted to the god Svāmi-Mahābhairava, who was 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 liṅga of Śiva like a load placed on their shoulders, and who were besprinkled on their heads with the pure water of the river Bhāgīrathī that had been obtained by their valour, who was the son 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 Aśvamedhas, and who was of the Viṣṇuvṛddha gotra.

The two villages, the village named Dīrghadraha in the Pākkaṇa rāṣṭra and the village Mahallama-lāṭa in the Asi bhukti in the mārga of Śailapura have been donated by us to Sūryasvāmin of the Kaśyapa gotra and the Taittirīya śākhā, who resides in the Pravareśvara-shaḍviṃśati-vāṭaka.

Wherefore, our officials of noble birth, who are employed by the order of the sarvādhyakṣa (general superintendent) and who exercise their authority by our command, and 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, victory, and prosperity, to secure our well-being in this world and the next, and to obtain blessings for ourself, we have given here in our victorious place of religious worship, with the pouring out of water, this village as a gift not previously made.

And we grant the following exemptions which are incidental to a village bestowed on 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 soldiers and policemen; it does not entitle the State to its customary right on cows and bulls; it also does not entitle it to royalties on flowers and milking; it is exempt from the obligation to provide grass, hides as 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 and together with major and minor taxes; it is to be enjoyed as long as the sun and the moon will endure, and it is to follow the succession of sons and son’s sons. None should cause an obstruction while the donee or his successor is enjoying it. This grant should be preserved and increased by all means. And whoever, disregarding our order, will himself cause or make others cause even the slightest obstruction, upon him, when complained against by the Brāhmaṇas, we will inflict punishment together with a fine.”

Line 26

And the following two verses sung by Vyāsa should be regarded as an authority on this point.

(Here follow two benedictive and imprecatory verses.)

Line 29

This charter was written by Maṇi, Citravarman being the senāpati, on the thirteenth (10 and 3) lunar day in the bright fortnight of Kārttika in the eleventh (10 and 1) regnal year.

Success! May there be victory and prosperity!

Verse 1

May that Gaṇanāyaka (i.e. Gaṇapati) protect you from calamity—he who destroys obstacles and who, by means of worship, receives attention in all undertakings!

Verse 2

May that Śiva always protect you—he on whose head the Gaṅgā shines like the bright crescent of the moon as it rises over the peak of Sumeru!

Verse 3

Jīmūtavāhana, the ever compassionate son of Jīmūtaketu, is well-known in the three worlds—who, valuing his own body as not better than a straw, saved, indeed, Śaṇkhacūḍa from Garuḍa.

Verse 4

In his family was born king Kapardin I, the ornament of the Śīlāra race, who was adventurous like the illustrious Sāhasāṅka (i.e.Vikramāditya) and whose stainless footstool was covered with the splendour of fresh jewels on the heads of all kings.

Verse 5

From him sprang his son, Pulaśakti by name, who represented the limit of political wisdom taught by Bṛhaspati, the preceptor of gods, who, having vanquished all enemies in the forefront of the battlefield, ruled over the world, free from trouble.

Verse 6

From him again sprang his son, the younger Kaparadin (i.e., Kapardin II), the crest-jewel of kings, who was as it were a sharp goad to the elephants in the form of his enemies; the world being exceedingly whitened by his fame, neither the heavenly elephant (Airāvata) nor the moon nor the milk-ocean could be distinguished.

Verse 7

From him again sprang his son, the illustrious Vappuvanna, the worthy abode of prosperity, an ornament of royalty, who sanctified the whole circle of the earth. Having one of their tusks forcibly cut off by the creeper-like sword of him who was delighted to fight on the field of battle, all the elephants of the enemies were turned into Vināyakas i.e. they become Gajānana, who has only one tusk.

Verse 8

From him sprang his praiseworthy son, the illustrious Jhañjha, who delighted all people even as the moon does, and who destroyed all blemishes even as the sun dispels all darkness; who erected twelve temples of Śiva, named after himself, which served, as it were, as steps to pious people, ready to repair to the path of heaven.

Verse 9

Then there rose his brother, the illustrious Goggirāja, who having a mass of brilliant fame, brightened the entire circle of the earth, and who mighty among the mighty; when that king bent down in the act of drawing the string of his bow, Bhīṣma, Droṇa, the son of Pṛthu i.e. Arjuna, and others felt surprised in their minds.

Verse 10

From him sprang a son named the illustrious Vajjaḍadeva I, famed for his astounding and attractive deeds, the crest-jewel of the circle of the earth. Royal Fortune, approaching him, all of a sudden and of her own accord, on the battlefield, felt delighted while sporting on the bosom of him whose strength lay solely in his own arm, as it does on that of Murāri.

Verse 11

To him was born an illustrious and virtuous son named Aparājita as Jayanta was to Indra and as the six-faced Kārttikeya was to Śiva.

Verse 12

Then there was his son, Vajjaḍadeva by name, proficient in political wisdom, the crest-jewel of all kings. Even now all people extol his deeds, with their creeper-like limbs clad in the robes of horripilation.

Verse 13

Then was born his brother, king Arikesarin, who was honoured by wise people and who had the grace of the thunderbolt in destroying the principal mountains which were his arrogant foes. Even in his childhood he marched with his army and having seen God Someśvara, he made an offering of the whole world to him by the command of his father and then returned to his country.

Verse 14

Next his nephew, the illustrious Chittarāja, became king; the great prince, who, though a child, raised the Śīlāra race to high eminence.

Line 27

Now, while the mahāmaṇḍaleśvara, the illustrious Chintarājadeva—who, by his merit, has obtained the right to the five mahāśabdas and who is adorned with all royal titles such as mahāsāmantādhipati, ‘the lord of the city of Tagara,’ ‘a king of the Śilāhāra family,’ ‘a scion of the family of Jīmūtavāhana,’ ‘he who has the ensign of the golden Garuḍa,’ ‘he who is a born Vidyādhara,’ ‘he who is an ocean of pride,’ ‘he who has surpassed the world in liberality,’ ‘he who is an adamantine cage to suppliants’ and so forth—is ruling over the whole Koṅkaṇa country, consisting of fourteen hundred villages headed by Purī, together with several maṇḍalas conquered by his arm, and while his mahāmātya, the illustrious Nāgaṇaiya, and his mahāsandhivigrahika, the illustrious Nāupaiya are shouldering the burden of the cares of his government,—at this time the mahāmaṇḍaleśvara, the illustrious Chintarājadeva addresses, with salutation, worship and respect, all assembled princes, counsellors, the family priest, the ministers, the principal and subordinate officers, whether connected with him or not, as well as the heads of the rāṣṭras, viṣayas, towns, villages, officials and non-officials, government servants and village-people, and also artisans, guilds and the three classes of townsmen, and others as follows:-

            “Be it known to you that realising that prosperity is unsteady, youth is momentary, and life lies in the jaws of death, and that youth is being devoured by the demoness in the form of old age, who is hidden inside the body, that the pangs of separation after union with one’s dear ones are like those caused by falling into a hell after dwelling in heaven, that the body is subject to old age and death natural in this world, and that wealth and life are fickle like drops of water on a lotus leaf tossed by wind, one should accumulate the reward of a religious gift by firm non-attachment.

Having considered the sayings of ancient sages which are delightful owing to their distinguishing between what is righteous and what is not, such as the following: -

Verse 15

In the Kṛta, Treta and Dvāpara Ages penance is highly praised. The sages say the charity alone is the one meritorious thing in the Kali Age.

Verse 16

Learning does not yield that reward nor does penance give it as charity alone does, the sages say, in the Kali Age.

And it has been declared by the holy Vyāsa: -

Verse 17

Gold was the first-born of Fire; the Earth sprang from Viṣṇu, and the cows are the offsprings of the Sun. He who gives gold, land and cows gains the religious merit of giving the three worlds of these gods.

Verse 18

A gift of land made to worthy recipients at holy places and on holy occasions would be the means of crossing the unfathomable and boundless ocean of worldly existence.

And being desirous of acquiring the spiritual welfare of My parents and Myself, I—having bathed at an excellent tīrtha on the holy day in Caitra, viz., the fourteenth tithi of the bright fortnight of the second Caitra of the cyclic year Bhava after nine hundred years inscreased by fifty-six of the Śaka King had passed—in figures, the year 956, the bright fortnight of Caitra, the 14th tithi—and having offered an arghya, beautiful with flowers of various kinds, to the divine Sun, the sole crest-jewel of the sky, and the lover of the lotus plant, and having worshipped the divine Śiva, the lord of the three worlds and the guru of all gods and demons—have given, as a gift free from taxes, and with great devotion and with the pouring out of water, to the holy Jñānaśiva, a disciple of the holy Vāḍācārya, who belongs to the Western Āmnāya, for providing food and clothing to the ascetics dwelling in the temple of the holy Bhāiyapeśvara, constructed by Bhāiyapa, the head of the viṣaya in the northern part of the village Kunde situated in the viṣaya (district) of Māhirahāra for providing all materials for the worship of the god such as sandal paste, flowers, incense, lights, offerings, tāmbūla, and singing, music and dancing, and also for the repairs of what would be broken and damaged—the field known as Abhinavadevacchebhā situated in the village of Kunde included in the viṣaya of sixty-six villages called Māhirahāra, the boundaries of which are—on the east, the field known as Kumbhivaṭī and Kolihīraka; on the west, the boundary of the village Govaṇi; on the south, the boundary of the tank in Khanālāsakaśama; on the north, the boundary of the village Vijñānicoli—the field with its four boundaries thus determined, extending to its own limits, together with all its produce, together with grass, wood and water, but excluding the gifts previously made to gods and Brāhmaṇas, not to be assigned, not to be attached, and not to be entered by the cāṭas and bhaṭas.

Therefore, none should cause any obstruction while these ascetics or others of their clan, who are entitled to it, are enjoying it or are allowing others to enjoy it, are cultivating it or allowing others to cultivate it.

Line 60

For it has been said by great sages-

(Here occur three benedictory and imprecatory verses.)

Line 64

Having known these sayings of ancient sages, all future kings, born in our family, should aspire only for religious merit accruing from the protection of this grant. He who, on the other hand, though thus entreated, will confiscate it or allow it to be confiscated, with his mind clouded by the darkness of ignorance as a result of greed, will incur all the five sins together with minor sins and will experience for a long time the pangs of hells such as Raurava, Mahāraurava and Andhatāmiśra.

And this has been declared by the holy Vyāsa: -

(Here follows an imprecatory verse.)

Line 70

And as it is, the giver of the charter records his approval by the hand of the scribe. “What is written in this charter has been approved by me, the mahāmaḍaleśvara, the illustrious Chitarājadeva, the son of the mahāmaṇḍaleśvara, the illustrious Vajjaḍarājadeva.”

And this has been written by me, the Treasury Officer, the illustrious Joupaiya, the nephew of the Treasury Officer, the great poet, the illustrious Nāgalaiya.

Whatever is written here—in deficient or redundant syllables—all that is authoritative. May there be prosperity! May there be happiness! May there be happiness and great prosperity!

Success! May there be victory and prosperity!

Verse 1  

May that Gaṇanāyaka (i.e. Gaṇapati) protect you from calamity—he who destroys obstacles and who, by means of worship, receives attention in all undertakings!

Verse 2  

May that Śiva always protect you—he on whose head the Gaṅgā shines like the bright crescent of the moon as it rises over the peak of Sumeru!

Verse 3

May that Śaṇkara, adorned with a large mass of brown matted hair tied with the lord of serpents, secure your well-being at all times by means of his manifested boons—the god who bears the crescent moon which he has himself placed on his head and which resembles the extremely resplendent tender shoot of the Ketaka flower!

Verse 4

Jīmūtavāhana, the ever compassionate son of Jīmūtaketu, is well-known in the three worlds—who, valuing his own body as not better than a straw, saved, indeed, Śaṇkhacūḍa from Garuḍa.

Verse 5

In his family there arose Kapardin I, an ornament of the Śilāra race, who quelled the arrogance of his enemies. From him was born his son, Pulaśakti by name, who resembled the orb of the sun by his brilliant splendour.

Verse 6

From him sprang his praiseworthy son, the illustrious Jhañjha, who delighted all people even as the moon does, and who destroyed all blemishes even as the sun dispels all darkness; who erected twelve temples of Śiva, named after himself, which served, as it were, as steps to pious people, ready to repair to the path of heaven.

Verse 7

Then there rose his brother, the illustrious Goggirāja, who having a mass of brilliant fame, brightened the entire circle of the earth, and who mighty among the mighty; when that king bent down in the act of drawing the string of his bow, Bhīṣma, Droṇa, the son of Pṛthu i.e. Arjuna, and others felt surprised in their minds.

Verse 8

From him sprang a son named the illustrious Vajjaḍadeva I, famed for his astounding and attractive deeds, the crest-jewel of the circle of the earth. Royal Fortune, approaching him, all of a sudden and of her own accord, on the battle-field, felt delighted while sporting on the bosom of him whose strength lay solely in his own arm, as it does on that of Murāri.

Verse 9

He, who gave protection to other feudatories also who sought refuge with him in this world—that king is indeed victorious, being rightly called ‘the adamantine cage affording protection to those seeking refuge.’

Verse 10

As he covered this whole world with his unceasing gifts of gold, he became well-known in the world by the title of the world-excelling donor.

Verse 11

What else can be described of him who welcomed in various ways Gomma, who resorted to him for protection; who caused to be made firm the infirm rule of Aiyapadeva; who gave protection to the kings Bhillama, Ammaṇa and Mambuva; and who had the title of ‘Rāma among title-holders’?

Verse 12

From him was born the son named Vajjaḍadeva I, who mastered political science, and was a crest-jewel of kings, whose deeds all people even now praise, with their creeper-like bodies having clothes of horripilation.

Verse 13

Then there was born his brother, King Arikesarin, who had the grace of the thunderbolt in destroying the principal mountains in the form of arrogant foes; who, even when he was a boy, went with an army so Someśvara and having seen that god, came back after offering him the whole world as directed by his father.

Verse 14

Next his nephew, the illustrious Chittarāja, became king; the great prince, who, though a child, raised the Śīlāra race to high eminence.

Now, while the mahāmaṇḍaleśvara, the illustrious king Chittapaiyadeva—who has, by his own religious merit, obtained the right to the five mahāśabdas and who is adorned with all royal titles such as mahāsāmantādhipati, ‘the lord of the City of Tagara,’ ‘a king of the Śilāra family,’ ‘he who is a born Vidyādhara,’ ‘he who has the ensign of the Golden Eagle,’ ‘he who has excelled the whole world by his liberality,’ ‘the ocean of truth,’ ‘a goad to the elephant that is the Kali Age’ and ‘a scion of the family of Jīmūtavāhana’—is ruling over the whole Konkan country consisting of fourteen hundred villages headed by Purī together with several maṇḍalas (countries) conquered by his own arm, and while his mahāmātya, the illustrious Nāgaṇaiya, and his Sarvādhikārin, the illustrious Prabhu Dādapaiya are shouldering the burden of the cares of administering his whole kingdom entrusted to them by his favour—the King has made the following government settlement in respect of the tax on the orchards of the learned Brāhmaṇas who are always engaged in the performance of their six religious duties such as sacrificing for themselves and for others, and studying and teaching sacred texts, and are proficient in the performance of sacrifices, such as Kramavid Koṭama who hails from Karahāṭa  and is now residing at Chipalūṇa—the Brāhmaṇas who are residents of the two villages Karadāṇḍa and Kolapallikā comprised in the viṣaya (district) of Pāṇāḍa—in the presence of the five ministers such as the illustrious Saṅgalaiya and the illustrious Tikkapaiya.

Having realised the worthlessness of the whole worldly existence, I with my mind excellently engaged in discriminating between what is righteous and what is not, have settled the tax in respect of garden-trees by levying four drammas per hundred fruit-bearing areca-nut trees in all orchards situated in the aforementioned two villages, Karadāṇda and Kolapallikā, with the consent of my five ministers and at the bidding of the Mahārājñī the illustrious and all-prosperous Padmaladevi. That tax should be paid by all business-men in respect of all land enclosed on all the four sides, as has been the old custom. This order applies to all coconut, panasa (bred-fruit), campaka, mango and other trees, whether in orchards or in the adjoining forests. The trees of spirituous liquor, whether in orchards or outside, belong solely to the Government. They should not be uprooted, cut or damaged by anybody. Again, none should prevent the Brāhmaṇas of the villages from fetching grass, fuel and so forth from the outskirts of the villages.

Having regard to the sayings of the sages who are adept in discriminating between what is righteous and what is not, none should, under the influence of anger or greed, transgress the regulations laid down. None should go against the royal order in this matter.

Again, the settled custom is to regard fifty ripe areca-nuts as a unit while counting the areca-nuts. At the time of selling the areca-nut trees the tax to be paid is three per cent on the amount of the sale.

As it is, the giver of the charter records his approval by the hand of the scribe:- “What is written here has been approved by Me, the illustrious mahāmaṇḍaleśvara Chittapaiyadeva, the son of the mahāmaṇḍaleśvara, the illustrious Vajjaḍadeva.”

This has been written by Joupaiya, the nephew of the bhāṇḍāgārasena, the great poet, the illustrious Nāgalaiya, by the order of the illustrious King at the bidding of the illustrious Padmaladevi, on the 13th tithi of the dark fortnight of Bhādrapada in the year 946.

Whatever is written here in deficient or redundant letters—all that is authoritative. This has been engraved on the copper plates by Mānadharapaiya, the son of Vedapaiya.