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TANJAVUR
Brihadhiswara TEMPLE
Inscriptions
INSCRIPTIONS
ON THE WALLS OF THE CENTRAL SHRINE
No.59.
On the east, north and west walls
of the Chandesvara shrine.
This
and the next inscription (No. 60) are engraved on the walls of the small
shrine of Chandesvara, which is situated opposite to the North entrance
of the central shrine of Rajarajesvara. No. 59 describes one diadem and
nine girdles for the use of the image of Rajarajesvara, the chief idol
of the temple. These ornaments were made partly of gold and jewels from
the temple treasury, and partly of pearls, which king Rajarajadeva had
presented to the temple before the 29th year of his reign. A
number of corals, which formed part of the ornaments, were purchased by
the temple treasurers for gold, which the king had seized after
conquering the Chera king and the Pandyas
(paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 9 and 11) in Malainadu
(paragraph 3).
This
inscription is referred to as being engraved on the walls of the temple
of Chandesvara in paragraph 1 of the inscription No. 3, which is a mere
continuation of the present inscription.
Translation
1.
Hail ! Prosperity ! [The sacred ornaments] of jewels of the first
quality, made (partly) of [gold] and jewels [of the first
quality, which had accumulated] in the treasury [of the lord of the Sri-Rajarajesvara
(temple)], excluding those which [were exhibited (to the
public ?) at the treasury of the lord of the Sri-Rajar]ajesvara (temple),
and (partly) of jewels, which the lord Sri-Rajrajadeva had
been pleased to give (to the temple) [until deva], who, while
(his) heart rejoiced, that, like the goddess of fortune, the
goddess of the great earth had become his wife, in his life of
growing strength, during which, having been pleased to destroy the ships
(at) Kandalur-Salai,
he conquered by his army, which was victorious in great battles,
Vengai-nadu, Ganga-padi, Tadigai-padi, Nulamba-padi, Kudamalai-nadu, [Kollam,
Kalingam], Ira-manadalam, (the conquest of which) made (him)
famous (in) the eight directions and the seven and a half lakshas
of Iratta-padi, deprived the Seriyas of their splendour, while (he)
was resplendent (to such a degree) that (he) was worthy to
be worshipped everywhere, [were weighed by the jewel weight called (after)
Dakshina-Meru-Vitankan, exclusive of the threads and of the frames, (but)
inclusive of the lac and of the pinju, and were engraved on
stone] (as follows) : -
2.
One diadem (vira-patta),
made [for the lord of the] Sri-Rajara[jesvara (temple)] (and
containing) three hundred and forty-three ka[ranju
and]............. of gold, which was a quarter inferior in fineness
of the (gold standard called) dandavani..........[crystals,
which were fastened (on it), weighed......... seven kara]nju
and [(one) manjadi]. [Three potti] weighed (one)
ma[njadi]. Ten [diamond crystals] weighed (one) manjadi
and (one) kunri. The lac in (it) and the bands (bandha)
weighed two hundred and seventy-six [karanju and a half, and]
three manjadi. [The pinju weighed............ karanj]ju
and three quarters, four manjadi and (one) kunri.
Sixty-four corals, which were strung on it (and taken) from the
corals, for which the treasurers [of the chief jewels] supplied the
funds [from the gold], which the lord Sri-Rajarajadeva [had seized after
conquering] the Chera king and the Pandyas, weighed seven karanju,
eight manjadi and (one) kunri. [Thirteen] thousand three
hundred and [twenty]-eight [pearls], (which were taken from) the
pearls of [the second quality], which the lord Sri-Rajarajadeva had
poured out as flowers at the sacred feet and with which he had
worshipped the feet of the god, (viz.,) round pearls, roundish
pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, nimbolam, payittam, ambumudu,
crude pearls, twin pearls, sappatti, sakkattu (pearls) of
brilliant water and of red water, weighed five hundred and forty-seven karanju.
Altogether, (the diadem)
weighed one thousand one hundred and ninety-seven karanju seven manjadi
and (one) kunri, and was worth................ kasu.
3.
One............ sacred girdle,
made for the lord (and containing) eight hundred and three karanju,
nine manjadi and (one) kunri of gold, which was a
quarter inferior in fineness to the dandavani.
[Thirty]........... crystals, which were fastened (on it)
[weighed three ka[ranju and nine manjadi. The pinju
weighed (one) karanju and a half, three manjadi and
(one) kunri. Five thousand six hundred and eleven pearls,
which were strung on it (and taken from) the pearls, which the
lord Sri-Rajarajadeva had poured out as flowers at the sacred feet and
with which he had worshipped the feet of the god, (viz.,) round
pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, pearls of
brilliant water and of red water, weighed two hundred and thirty-five karnju
and three quarters, and two manjadi. Fifty-seven corals, which
were strung (on it and taken) from the corals, for which
the treasurers of the chief jewels supplied the funds from the gold,
which (the king) had seized after conquering the Chera king and
the Pandyas in Malainadu, weighed seven karanju and (one) kunri.
Altogether, (the girdle) weighed one thousand and fifty-one karanju,
nine manjadi and (one) kunri, and was worth two
thousand kasu.
4.
One sacred girdle, made of gold which had been taken from the treasury,
(and containing) ten karanju and three quarters, and (one)
kunri of gold, which was a quarter inferior in fineness to the dandavani.
The lac weighed nine karanju and six manjadi. The pinju
weighed three quarters (of a karanju) and two manjadi.
Fifteen crystals, which were fastened (on it), weighed (one)
karanju and three manjadi. Three potti weighed four
manadi and (one) kunri. Two thousand and
seventy-seven pearls, which were strung (on it and taken from the
pearls) of the second quality, which the lord Sri-Rajarajadeva had
poured out as flowers at the sacred feet and with which he had
worshipped the feet of the god, (viz.,), round pearls, roundish
pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, nimbolam, payittam, ambumudu
crude pearls, sappatti, sakkattu, twin pearls, pearls, pearls
of brilliant water and of red water, weighed fifty-fourkaranju
and a half, and two manjadi. Thirty corals, which were strung (on
it and taken) from the corals, for which the treasurers of the chief
jewels supplied the funds from the gold, which (the king) had
seized after conquering the Chera king and the Pandyas, weighed three
quarters (of a karanju) and two manadi. Altogether, (the
girdle) weighed seventy-seven karanju and three quarters, and
was worth one hundred kasu.
5.
One sacred girdle, made of gold which had been taken from the treasury,
(and containing) ten karanju and three quarters of gold,
which was a quarter inferior in fineness to the dandavani. The
lac weighed nine karanju, eight manjadi and (one) kunri.
The pinju weighed three quarters (of a karanju) and two manjadi.
Fifteen crystals, which were fastened (on it), weighed (one)
karanju. Three potti weighed three manjadi. [One
thousand] five hundred and forty-one pearls, which were strung (on it
and taken) from the pearls of the second quality, which the lord
Sri-Rajarajadeva had poured out as flowers at the sacred feet and with
which he had worshipped the feet of the god, (viz.,) round
pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, nimbolam,
payittam, ambumudu, crude pearls, twin pearls, sappatti sakkattu
pearls, of brilliant water and of red water, weighed forty-three karanju
and three quarters, and two manjadi. Twenty-four corals, which
were strung (on it and taken) from the corals in the treasury, weighed (one)
karanju. Altogether, (the girdle) weighed sixty-seven karanju
and (one) kunri and was worth ninety kasu.
6.
One sacred girdle, made of gold which had been taken from the treasury,
(and containing) [ten kara]nju and a half, four manjadi
and eight tenths of gold, which was a quarter inferior in fineness to
the dandavani. The lac weighed eight karanju and a half,
three manjadi and (one) kunri. The pinju
weighed three quarters (of a karanju). Fifteen crystals, which
were fastened (on it), [weighed three] quarters (of a karanju),
three manjadi and (one) kunri. Three potti
weighed three manadi and two tenths. One thousand five hundred
and ninety pearls, which were strung (on it and taken from the pearls)
of the second quality, which the lord Sri-Raajarajadeva had poured out
as flowers at the sacred feet and with which he had worshipped the feet
of the god, (viz.,) round pearls, roundish pearls, polished
pearls, small pearls, nimbolam, payittam, ambumudu, crude pearls,
twin pearls, sappatti sakkattu, pearls of brilliant water and of
red water, weighed forty-five karanju two manjadi and (one)
kunri. Twenty-four corals, which were strung (on it and taken)
from the corals in the treasury, weighed three quarters (of a karanju),
three manjadi and (one) kunri. Altogether, (the
girdle) weighed sixty-seven karanju and six manjadi,
and was worth ninety-five kasu.
7.
One sacred girdle, made of gold which had been taken from the treasury,
(and containing) ten karanju and a half, and four manjadi
of gold, which was a quarter inferior in fineness to the dandavani.
The lac weighed eight karanju and three quarters, and two manjadi.
The pinju weighed three quarters (of a karanju), (one) manjadi
and (one) kunri. Fifteen crystals, which were fastened (on
it), weighed (one) karanju and two manjadi. Three [potti]
weighed two manjadi and (one) kunri. One
thousand six hundred and twenty-five pearls, which were strung (on it
and taken from the pearls) of the second quality, which the lord
Sri-Rajarajadeva had poured out as flowers at the sacred feet and with
which he had worshipped the feet of the god, (viz.,) round
pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, nimbolam,
payittam, ambumudu, crude pearls, twin pearls, sappatti, sakkattu,
pearls of brilliant water and of red water weighed forty-three karanju
and (one) manjadi. Twenty-four corals, which were strung (on it
and taken) from the corals in three treasury, weighed (one) karanju.
Altogether, (the girdle) weighed sixty-five karanju and a
half, and three manjadi, and was worth ninety kasu.
8.
One sacred girdle, [made of gold which had been taken from the
treasury], (and containing) ten karanju and a half, and
four manjadi of gold, which was a quarter inferior in fineness to
the dandavani. The lac weighed eight karanju and three
quarters, and (one) kunri. The pinju weighed three
quarters (of a karanju). Fifteen crystals, which were
fastened (on it), weighed (one) karanju and (one)
kunri. Three potti weighed two manjadi and (one)
kunri. [One thousand].................. pearls, which were strung
(on it and taken from the pearls) of the second quality, which
the lord Sri-Rajarajadeva had poured out as flowers at the sacred feet
and with which he had worshipped the feet of the god, (viz.,)
round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, payittam,
ambumudu, crude pearls, twin pearls, sappatti, sakkattu,
pearls of brilliant water and of red water, weighed forty-one karanju
and a half, and (one) kunri. Twenty-four corals, which
were strung (on it and taken) from the corals in the treasury,
weighed (one) karanju. Altogether, (the girdle)
weighed sixty-three karanju and three quarters, and three manjadi,
and was worth [ninety] kasu.
9.
One sacred girdle, made of gold which had been taken from the treasury,
(and containing) ten karanju and three quarters, and [two]
manjadi of gold, which was a quarter inferior in fineness to the dandavani.
[The lac weighed eight] karanju and three quarters,
two manjadi and (one) kunri. The pinju weighed
three quarters (of a karanju) and two manjadi. Fifteen
crystals, which were fastened (on it), weighed (one) karanju,
four manjadi and (one) kunri. Three potti
weighed two manjadi and (one) kunri. One thousand
five hundred and eighty-six pearls, which were strung (on it and
taken from the pearls) of the second quality, which [the lord
Sri-Rajaraja]deva had poured out as flowers at the sacred feet and with
which he had worshipped the feet of the god, (viz.,) round
pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, nimbolam,
payittam, ambumudu, crude pearls, twin pearls, sappatti, sakkattu,
[pearls of] brilliant water and of red water, weighed forty-one karanju,
seven manjadi and (one) kunri. Twenty-four corals, which were
strung (on it and taken) from the corals, for which the
treasurers of the chief jewels supplied the funds from the gold, which (the
king) had seized after conquering the Chera king and the Pandyas,
[weighed half a karan]ju and four manjadi.
Altogether, (the girdle) weighed sixty-four karanju, and
was worth ninety kasu.
10.
One sacred girdle, made of gold which had been taken from the treasury,
(and containing) ten karanju and three quarters, and (one)
majadi of gold, which was a quarter inferior in fineness to the dandavani.
The lac weighed eight karanju and a half, and (one) kunri.
The pinju weighed three quarters (of a karanju).
Fifteen crystals, which were fastened (on it), weighed three
quarters (of a karanju), two manjadi and (one)
kunri. [Three potti weighed] two manjadi and three
tenths. One thousand......... hundred and thirty-four pearls, which were
strung (on it and taken from the pearls) of the second quality,
which the lord Sri-Rajarajadeva had poured out as flowers at the sacred
feet and with which he had worshipped the feet of the god, (viz.)
round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, nimbolam,
payittam, mabumudu, crude pearls, twin pearls, sappatti sakkattu,
pearls of brilliant water and of red water, weighed forty-one karanju,
four manjadi and one tenth. Twenty-[four] corals, which were
strung (on it and taken) fro the corals in the treasury, weighed
(one) karanju. Altogether, (the girdle) weighed
[sixty]-three karanju and a quarter, and four tenths (of a
manjadi), and was worth ninety kasu.
11.
One sacred girdle, made of gold which had been taken [from the
treasury], (and containing) ten karanju and three quarters
of gold, which was a quarter inferior in fineness to the dandavani.
The lac weighed nine karanju and a half. The pinju weighed
three quarters (of a karanju) and two manjadi. Fifteen
crystals, which were fastened (on it), [weighed (one) karanju,
two man]jadi and (one) kunri. Three potti
weighed two manjadi and (one) kunri. [One thousand]
five hundred and sixty-six pearls, which were strung (on it and taken
from the pearls) of the [second] quality, which the lord
Sri-Rajarajadeva had poured out as flowers at the sacred feet and with
which he had worshipped the feet of the god, (viz.,) round
pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, nimbolam,
payittam, ambumudu, crude pearls, twin pearls, sappatti, sakkattu
pearls of brilliant water and of red water, weighed forty karanju and
three quarters, and two manjadi. Twenty-four corals, which were
strung (on it and taken) from the corals, for which the
treasurers of the chief jewels supplied the funds from the gold, which (the
king) had seized after conquering the Chera king and the Pandyas,
weighed three quarters (of a karanju) and four manadi.
Altogether, (the girdle) weighed sixty-four karanju and
three manjadi, and was worth ninety kasu.
No.
60 On the south wall of the
Chandesvara shrine.
This
inscription records that, before the 2nd year of the reign of
Rajendra-Choladeva, four water-pots of gilt copper were presented to the
temple of Chandesvara. The donor was a temple manager, whose name occurs
in several other inscriptions of Rajaraja and Rajendra-Chola (Nos. 26,
38, 40, 41 and 43).
Translation
1.
Hail ! Prosperity ! The water-pots (kuta) of copper covered with gold, which had
been placed in the temple (koyil) of Chandesvara until the second
year (of the reign) of the lord Sri-Rajaendra-Soradeva by Adittan
Suryan, alias Tennavan Muvenda-Velan, a headman (of)
Poygai-nadu, who carried on the management of the temple of the lord
Sri-Rajarajesvara, were weighed by the stone called (after)
Adavallan, and engraved on stone (as follows) : -
2.
One water-pot of copper covered with gold, which had been placed in the
temple of Chandevara, weighed three hundred and ninety-seven karanju,
including five karanju and a half, and two manjadi of
gold which was laid over (it).
3.
One copper water-pot weighed four hundred and one karanju,
including six karanju and two manjadi of gold which was
laid over (it)
4.
One copper water-pot weighed four hundred and five karanju,
including five karanju and three quarters of gold which was laid
over (it).
5.
One water-pot of copper which was covered with gold, weighed three
hundred and eighty-five karanju including five karanju
and three quarters, two manjadi and (one) kunri of
gold lwhich as laid over (it).
No.
61 On the west wall of the
Brihannayaki shrine.
This
and the next inscription (No. 62) are engraved on the west wall of a
shrine, which is situated on the north side of the large Nandi.
No. 61 is dated on the 334th day of the 2nd year
of the reign of a king, who styles himself Tribhuvanachakravartin
Konerinmai-kondan. As I have shown in the introduction to No. 21 (page
110), this is not a proper name, but a title which is applied to various
kings. The inscription records, that the king had built the shrine on
which it is engraved, and which was called
Ulagu-murudum-udaiya-Nachchiyar, i.e., the goddess who own the
whole world, within the Rajarajesvara temple at Tanjavur, and that he
presented to that shrine eleven veli of land in the village of
Kottagarkkudi, alias Ulag-anda-nayaki-nallur. The second
name, which means the good village of the goddess who rules the
world, was evidently bestowed on the village with reference to the
goddess, to whose shrine it was given. The four boundaries of the land
which had been granted, were to be marked with stones, on which a
trident, the emblem of Siva, was engraved
(paragraph 6).
Translation
1.
Hail ! Prosperity! (The following are) the contents of an order,
which was written concerning (the village of) Kottagarkkudi, alias
Ulagandanayaki-nallur.
2.
Tribhuvanachakravartin Konerinmai-kondan (addresses the following
order) to the authorities (tanattar) of the temple (koyil)
of the lord Sri-Rajarajesvara (at) Tanjavur : -
3.
From the month of Vaigasi in the second (year of our reign),
we have given as tax-free land eleven veli in (the village of)
Kottagarkkudi in Vidaiyapura-parru, (which forms) the western
portion (mel-kuru) of Arumorideva-valanadu, for (providng)
raw rice (amudu-padi) and other requirements to (the image of)
Ulagu-murudum-udaiya-Nachchiyar, which we have set up in this temple.
4.
Let it be engraved on stone and copper, that these eleven veli
of land shall remain (the property of that image) as long as the
moon and the sun endure!
5.
We have ordered it to be engraved on stone and copper, that this land
shall be free from taxes, including the tax in money (kasu-kadamai),
(the taxes on) trees (maravadai), dry crops (pun-payir)
and tanks (kulavadai),
the tax on measures (alavu-varga),
urai-nari, (the share of) the village-watchman (who is placed)
over the Vettis, the eighth share (araikkalvasi)
and all other taxes (varga), and including the dues
(obtaining) within the site (nattam) of this village.
6.
This is the signature of Parandiparayar. Let stones (marked)
with the sacred trident (tiru-sula) be set up at the four
boundaries of this l and! This is the signature of the headman (udaiyan)
of Kodumalur. This is the signature of the headman of Kayalur. On the
334th day of the second year (of the kings reign).
No.
62 On the west wall of the
Brihannayaki shrine.
This
modern inscription appears to record, that a certain Mallappa-Nayakkar
ordered the inhabitants of the village of Puliyur to build the mandapa
which adjoins the Brihannayaki shrine, and which was called the mandapa
of Murti-Amman, and that he rewarded their services by assigning to
them the remnants of the offerings to the goddess for as long as the
moon and the sun endure. The name which is applied to the god of the
Tanjore temple in this inscription, Periya-Udaiya-nayanar, the great
lord, is evidently the Tamil prototype of the present designation
Brihad-Isvara.
Translation
As
the stones (for) the manadapa of Murti-Amman, a mandapa
(which) Mallappa-Nayakkar (had built in) the temple (of)
Periya-Udaiya-nayanar (at) Tanjavur, were supplied gratis (by)
the inhabitants of Puliyur, and as these people did work (gratis), it
was ordered that the remnants of the offerings (prasada) before
the shrine should be given (to them). Accordingly, let (these
gifts) continue as long as the moon and the sun endure!
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