The Indian Analyst
 

South Indian Inscriptions

 

 

Contents

Preface

Introduction

Table of Contents

Text of the Inscriptions 

Part - I

Part - II

Part - III

Part - IV

Part - V

Other Inscription 

Chola Inscription

Telugu Inscriptions from Andra Pradesh

Pallava Inscriptions

Pandya Inscriptions

Telugu Inscriptions of the Vijayanagara Dynasty

Inscriptions Collected During 1903-1904

Other South-Indian Inscriptions 

Volume 1

Volume 2

Volume 3

Vol. 4 - 8

Volume 9

Volume 10

Volume 11

Volume 12

Volume 13

Volume 14

Volume 15

Volume 16

Volume 17

Volume 18

Volume 19

Volume 20

Volume 22
Part 1

Volume 22
Part 2

Volume 23

Volume 24

Volume 26

Volume 27

Tiruvarur

Darasuram

Konerirajapuram

Tanjavur

Annual Reports 1935-1944

Annual Reports 1945- 1947

Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum Volume 2, Part 2

Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum Volume 7, Part 3

Kalachuri-Chedi Era Part 1

Kalachuri-Chedi Era Part 2

Epigraphica Indica

Epigraphia Indica Volume 3

Epigraphia
Indica Volume 4

Epigraphia Indica Volume 6

Epigraphia Indica Volume 7

Epigraphia Indica Volume 8

Epigraphia Indica Volume 27

Epigraphia Indica Volume 29

Epigraphia Indica Volume 30

Epigraphia Indica Volume 31

Epigraphia Indica Volume 32

Paramaras Volume 7, Part 2

Śilāhāras Volume 6, Part 2

Vākāṭakas Volume 5

Early Gupta Inscriptions

Archaeological Links

Archaeological-Survey of India

Pudukkottai

South Indian Inscriptions, Volume 2

Tamil Inscriptions

part - ii

INSCRIPTIONS  OF THE TANJAVUR TEMPLE

INSCRIPTIONS ON THE WALLS OF THE ENCLOSURE, THE CHANDESVARA AND THE BRIHANNAYAKI SHRINES

No. 49 on a pillar of the north enclosure

This inscription records, that king Rajarajadeva set up a copper image of the god Subrahmanya before the 29th year of his reign.

Translation

1. Hail! Prosperity! (The following) copper image, which, which the lord Sri-Rajarajadeva had set up until the twenty-ninth year (of his reign) in the temple of the lord Sri-Rajarajesvara, was measured by the cubit measure (preserved) in the temple of the lord, and engraved on stone: -

2. One solid image of Subrahmanyadeva, having four divine arms (and measuring) twenty viral and five torai in height from the feet to the hair.

3. One lotus on which this (image) stood set with jewels (and measuring) three viral in height.

4. One pedestal, (measuring) ten viral in breadth, eleven viral in length, and five viral and four torai in height.

5. One solid aureola, (measuring) three muram, five viral and six torai in circumference.


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No. 50. On a pillar of the north enclosure.

This inscription describes a group of copper images, which king Rajarajadeva had set up before the 29th year of his reign. The chief image was one of Dakshinamurti, a form of Siva, who was represented as seated under a banyan-tree on a mountain and as surrounded by several attendants and attributes.

Translation

1. Hail! Prosperity! (The following) copper images, which the lord Sri-Rajarajadeva had set up until the twenty-ninth year (of his reign) in the temple of the lord Sri-Rajarajesvara, were measured by the cubit measure (preserved) in the temple of the lord, and engraved on stone.

2. One solid image of Dakshinamurti, having four divine arms (and measuring) eighteen viral in height from the mountain (parvata) on which (it) was seated, to the hair.

3. One mountain on which this (image) was seated, (measuring) at its foot one muram and ten viral in length, one muram and four viral in breadth, and twelve viral in height.

4. Two mountain peaks (sikhara), (measuring) twelve viral above it in height, nine viral in length, and eight viral in breadth.

5. Two solid Kimnaras, joined to these peaks, having two arms (and measuring) four viral in height from the feet to the hair.

6. Two solid Kimnaris, have two arms (and measuring) three viral and a half in height from the feet to the hair.

7. One solid (image of) Musalagan, lying under the sacred foot of the god, having two arms (and measuring) ten viral in length from the feet to the hair.

8. Two solid Rishis, have two arms (and measuring) twelve viral in height from their seat to the hair.

9. Two solid Rishi, having two arms (and measuring) eight viral in height from their seat to the hair.

10. One solid snake (pambu), (measuring) six viral in height from the tail to the hood.

11. Two solid Karnapravritas,[1] having two arms (and measuring) three viral in height from their seat to the hair.

12. One solid tiger (puli), laying on the mountain (and measuring) five viral and a half in length from the tail to the forelock.

13. One solid banyan-tree (ala-vriksha), measuring one muram, eight viral and a half in length from the mountain to the top, and six viral and six torai in circumference. On (it) were sewn nine separately made large branches, and on these, forty-two minor branches.

14. One wallet (pokkanam), suspended (from the tree and measuring) three viral and four torai in length, one viral and two torai in breadth, and four torai in thickness.

15. A solid handle (kai), measuring six viral and six torai in length, and one viral and a half in circumference; and, joined to it, one bunch of peacock’s feathers (torai), (to be carried in) the hand (and measuring) five viral in length and three viral in circumference.

No. 51. On two niches and two pillars of the north enclosure.

This inscription records that, before the 29th year of the reign of Rajarajadeva, his queen Panchavan-mahadevi (paragraphs 1, 36 and 37) set up copper images of Siva called Tainjaiyaragar, of his wife Umaparamesvari, and of their son Ganapati, to which she presented a number of valuable ornaments. The description of some of these ornaments is still more detailed than usual, and often obscure, because the meanings of part of the technical terms are unknown. As regards the name of the chief image, its first part, Tainjai,[2] is the same as Tanjai or Tanjavur. The second part, Aragar, means, ‘the beautiful one.’ The whole name would thus be synonymous with that of the god Tanjai-Vitankar, who must, however, be distinct from Tainjaiyaragar, as the image of his consort had been set up by Kudavaiyar, the elder sister of rajarajadeva.

Translation

1. Hail! Prosperity! The following copper images, — which had been set up in the temple of the lord Sri-Rajarajesvara until the twenty-ninth year (of the king’s reign) by Panchavan-mahadevi, the consort of our lord Sri-Rajarajadeva, — were engraved on stone, after they had been measured by the cubit measure (preserved) in the temple of the lord, after the jewels (given to them) had been weighed by the stone called (after) Dakshina-Meru-Vitankan, and after the gold and silver had been weighed by the stone called (after) Adavallan: -

2.One solid image, bearing the sacred name of Tainjaiyaragar, having four divine arms and (measuring) two muram and four viral in height from the feet to the hair, — including (an image of) Musalagan, who was lying under that sacred foot, on which (the god) stood.[3]

3. One lotus on which this (image) stood, set with jewels and measuring [five viral] in height.

4. One solid image of his consort Umaparamesvari, measuring one (muram) and three quarters, [two] viral and a half in height from the feet to the hair.

5. One lotus on which this (image) stood set with jewels and measuring four viral and a half in height.

6. One pedestal on which the god and his consort stood, measuring [two] muram and four viral in length, one muram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in breadth, and eleven viral in height.

7. One solid aureola, covering the god and his consort, consisting of two pillars and one half-moon, and measuring seven muram in circumference.

8. One solid image of ganapati, standing, having [four divine arms], and (measuring) three quarters and one eighth of a muram in height from the feet to the hair.

9. One lotus on which this (image) stood set with jewels and measuring [two] viral and [a half] in height.

10. One pedestal, measuring [nineteen] viral in length, nine [and three quarters of a viral] kin breadth, and five viral in height.

11. One solid aureola, measuring two, three quarters and one eighth of a muram in circumference.

12. To this (image of) Tai[njaiyaragar] were given: -

13. [One] sacred garland (tiru-ma[lai]), hanging down,[4] weighing, — inclusive of the pinju and of the lac, and exclusive of the threads, — ninety-one karanju, and worth one hundred and twenty-five kasu. On . . . . . . . . . and on the inner side (?) were strung . . . . . . . . . nine pearls, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls and small pearls; on twenty-one marriage-badges (tali), [two] . . . . . .; on two marriage-badges which were soldered together, and on two talimbam (each of) which consisted of five (pieces) soldered together, were fastened ninety-four crystals, eleven potti and four hundred and . . . . . . . – two diamond crystals; (and) on the [pa]ligai,[5] it had one eye and one hook.

14. One ornament consisting of a single string,[6] weighing, — exclusive of the threads used for stringing, and inclusive of the lac, — four karanju, nine manjadi and eight tenths, and worth six kasu. On (it) were strung thirty-one pearls, — viz., polished pearls, small pearls, crude pearls and (pearls) resembling toddy in color, — two corals, two lapis lazuli, two talimbam, one eye and one hook.

15. One ornament consisting of a single string, weighing, — inclusive of the minute nails[7] in the talimbam and of the lac, and exclusive of the threads used for stringing, — four karanju and a half, two manjadi and four tenths, and worth eight kasu. On (it) were strung twenty-eight old pearls, — viz., small pearls and crude pearls, — two corals, two lapis lazuli, two talimbam, one eye and one hook.

16. One ornament consisting of a single string, weighing, — inclusive of the lac and exclusive of the threads, — four karanju, nine manjadi and nine tenths, and worth seven kasu. On (it) were strung thirty old pearls, -viz., polished pearls, small pearls and crude pearls, — two corals, one lapis lazuli, one sapphire,[8] two talimbam, one eye and one hook.

17. One ornament consisting of a single string, weighing, — inclusive of the lac and exclusive of the threads, — four karanju and two manjadi, and worth ten kasu. On (it) were strung thirty-two old pearls, — viz., polished pearls, small pearls, (pearls) of brilliant water, of read water and of rubbed surface, and sappatti, — two lapis lazuli, two talimbam, one eye and one hook.

18. One sacred pearl ornament (sir-chhanda), weighing, — inclusive of the lac, and exclusive of the threads used for stringing, — one hundred and six karanju, (one) manjadi and two tenths, and worth one hundred and forty-one kasu. (It had) two clasps (? Mugam), two pendants (tukkam), eight front-plates (idaikkattu), ten eyes, two front-plates with eyes, eight pins (nembu) soldered together, four double pins,[9] two karadigai, two double hooks, two treble hooks, and eight nails for pearls sewn on (taippu-mutt-ani). On (it) were strung two thousand five hundred and twenty-four pearls, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, nimbolam, ambumudu and crude pearls,. (On it) were sewn eight pearls, viz., sakkattu, sappatti, polished pearls and small pearls. On the two clasps, on the front-plates and on the pendants were fastened thirty-seven crystals, twenty-seven potti and seventy-five tarup[pu].[10]

19. One Telugu ear-ring ([Va]duga-vali),[11] weighing, inclusive of the gold, two karanju and a half and three manjadi, and worth seven kasu. On (it) were strung nine pearls, viz., small pearls, nimbolam and (pearls developed only) on one side (? Oruppuravan).[12]

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20. One sacred armlet (sri-bahu-valaya), weighing, — inclusive of the lac, and exclusive of the red stones (sivappu-silai) affixed (to it) and of the threads, — forty-five karanju and a half, four manjadi and (one) kunri, and worth fifty-two kasu. On two front-plates and on one clasp were fastened forty-nine crystals, six potti and one hundred and eighty-one diamond crystals. On (it) were strung as pendants (? Kal) two hundred and sixty-three pearls, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls and small pearls.

21. One sacred armlet, weighing, — inclusive of the lac, and exclusive of the red stones affixed (to it) and of the threads, — forty-five karanju and three quarters and two manadi, and worth fifty-two kasu. On two front-plates and on one clasp were fastened fifty crystals, six potti and one hundred and ninety-five diamond crystals,. On (it) were strung as pendants two hundred and sixty-five pearls, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls and small pearls.

22. One sacred arm-ring (tirukkaikkarai) of balls (gundu) and sockets (kevanam) soldered on a band (pattai) of gold, weighing, — exclusive of the threads used for stringing and of the copper nails, and inclusive of the lac, — twenty-two karanju, nine manjadi and (one) kunri, and worth twenty-eight kasu. On eleven strings (vadam) (attached) to two points (tunda) were strung four hundred and eleven pearls, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, sappatti, sakkattu and crude pearls. On (it) were fastened thirty-two crystals and twelve potti.

23. One sacred arm-ring of balls and sockets soldered on a band of gold, weighing, — inclusive of the lac, and exclusive of the copper nails and of the threads, — twenty-two karanju and (one) kunri, and worth twenty-six kasu. On eleven strings (attached) to two points were strung three hundred and eighty-five pearls, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, sakkattu, sappatti and crude pearls. On (it) were fastened thirty-two crystals and twelve potti. 

24. One sacred arm-ring of balls and sockets soldered on a band of gold, weighing, — inclusive of the lac, and exclusive of the copper nails and of the threads, — twenty-two karanju and six manjadi, and worth twenty-seven kasu. On eleven strings (attached) to two points were strung four hundred and fifteen pearls, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, sappatti and sakkattu. On (it) were fastened thirty-two crystals and twelve potti.

25. One sacred arm-ring of balls and sockets soldered on a band of gold, weighing, — inclusive of the lac, and exclusive of the copper nails and of the threads, — twenty-two karanju and three quarters and four manjadi, and worth twenty-nine kasu. On eleven strings (attached) to two points were strung four hundred and twenty-six pearls, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, sappatti, sakkattu and crude pearls. On (it) were fastened thirty-two crystals and twelve potti.

26. A sacred girdle (tiruppattigai), weighing, — inclusive of the lac, and exclusive of the threads and of the stones (silai), — eighty karanju and three quarters, two manjadi and (one) kuruni, and worth fifty-five kasu. On one clasp were fastened twenty-four crystals, nine potti and fifty-six diamond crystals. One twelve flowers (pu), (each of which consisted of) five (pieces) joined, were fastened fifty-four crystals and six potti. On eight small flowers (mattappu) were fastened four crystals and four potti. On one bud (mottu) at the top of the chief pendant (? Tanaittukkam) (which had the shape of) a braided garland ([p]innukkovai), were fastened one crystal, one potti, nine diamond crystals and eight bundles (savi) of three strings (each). Into eight small pendants (siru-takkam), — in the middle of the budles, — (each of) which had three vidangu at the top of an endli, were set eight potti, and (on them) were fastened sixteen crystals. On the body (? Udal), the points, the bundles, the pendants and the chief pendant were strung two thousand thee hundred and forty-nine pearls, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, crude pearls, sakkattu and sappatti. On the clasp were sewn nine sappatti pearls.

27. One sacred foot-ring (tiruvadikkarai) of balls and sockets soldered on a band of gold, weighing, — inclusive of the lac, and exclusive of the copper nails and of the threads, — thirty-one karanju, six manjadi and (one) kunri, and worth forty-four kasu, On twelve strings (attached) to two points were strung four hundred and sixty-nine peals, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, crude pearls, sappatti and sakkattu. On (it) were fastened forty-two crystals and thirty potti.

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28. One sacred foot-ring of balls and sockets soldered on a band of gold, weighing, — inclusive of the lac, and exclusive of the copper nails and of the threads used for stringing, — thirty karanju and a half, four manjadi and three tenths, and worth forty-two kasu. On twelve strings (attached) to two points were strung four hundred and eight-eight pearls, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, crude pearls, sappatti and sakkattu. On (it) were fastened forty-two crystals and thirty potti.

29. One sacred arm-ring, (consisting of) eleven karanju and a half of gold.

30. One sacred arm-ring, (consisting of) eleven karanju, seven manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

31. One sacred arm-ring (consisting of) twelve karanju and a half of gold.

32. One sacred arm-ring, (consisting of) twelve karanju and three quarters and two manjadi of gold.

33. One sacred foot-ring, (consisting of) fourteen karanju and a quarter of gold.

34. One sacred foot-ring, (consisting of) thirteen karanju and three quarters and (one) manjadi of gold.

35. One small scimitar, the hilt (?), blade (?)[13] and knob[14] of which were inlaid with gold.

36. One plate (taligai), bearing the illustrious name of Panchavan-mahadevi (and consisting of) four hundred and nineteen karanju, seven manjadi and (one) kunri of silver.

37. One cup (vattil), bearing the illustrious name of Panchavan-mahadevi (and consisting of) seventy-one karanju, six manjadi and four tenths of silver.

38. To (the image of) Umaparamesvari, the consort of this Tainjaiyaragar, — the same (queen) gave: -

39. One pair of pearl, sidukku, weighing, inclusive of the gold, two karanju and (one) kunri, and worth four and seven twentieths of a kasu. On (it) were strung eighteen pearls, viz., sappatti and small pearls.

40. One pearl bracelet (sudagam), weighing, — inclusive of the lac, and exclusive of the threads used for stringing, — twenty karanju and a quarter and (one) kunri, and worth thirty kasu. To two points (were attached) six karadigai, twenty-four potti, which were soldered and set into sockets, and seventy fastened crystals. On fourteen strings were strung four hundred and eighty-one pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, crude pearls, sakkattu and old pearls.

41. One pearl bracelet, weighing, — inclusive of the lac, and exclusive of the threads used for stringing, — twenty-one karanju and a quarter, and worth thirty kasu. To two points (were attached) six karadigai, twenty-four potti, which were soldered and set (into) sockets, and seventy-nine fastened crystals. On fourteen strings were strung four hundred and eighty-five pearls, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, crude pearls, sakkattu and old pearls.

42. One sacred foot-ring, weighing, — inclusive of the lac and exclusive of the threads, — twenty karanju and three quarters and two manjadi, and worth twenty-five kasu. To two points (were attached) six karadigai, twenty-two potti that were soldered and set (into) sockets, and eighty-seven fastened crystals. On twelve strings were strung four hundred and sixty-seven pearls, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, crude pearls, sakkattu and old pearls.

43. One sacred foot-ring, weighing, — inclusive of the lac and exclusive of the threads, -nineteen karanju and eight manjadi, and worth twenty-four kasu. To two points (were attached) six karadigai, twenty-four potti that were soldered and set (into) sockets, and eighty-one fastened crystals. One twelve strings were strung four hundred and sixty-eight pearls, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, crude pearls, sakkattu and old pearls.

44. A collar (karai), (consisting of) two karanju, lseven manjadi and (one) kunri of gold, — including one spiral (tiru), which was strung on (it).

45. One sacred arm-ring, (consisting of) nine karanju and a half and (one) kunri of gold.

46. One sacred arm-ring, (consisting of) nine karanju and a quarter of gold.

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47. One sacred foot-ring, (consisting of) ten karanju and a half, two manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

48. One collar with a spiral (tirukkarai),[15] (consisting of) eleven karanju and a quarter of gold.

49. To (the image of) Ganapati, which the same (queen) had set up, she gave: -

50. One sacred arm-ring, (consisting of) ten karanju and a half of gold.

51. One sacred arm-ring, (consisting of) ten karanju of gold.

52. One sacred foot-ring, (consisting of) eleven karanju and three quarters of gold.

53. One sacred foot-ring, (consisting of) twelve karanju, seven manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

No. 52. On a pillar of the north enclosure

This inscription records that, before the 29th year of his reign, king rajarajadeva set up a copper image of Maha-Vishnu.

Translation

1. Hail! Prosperity! (The following) copper image, which the lord Sri-Rajarajadeva had set up until the twenty-ninth year (of his reign) in the temple of the lord Sri-Rajarajaesvara, was engraved on stone, after it had been measured by the cubit measure (preserved) in the temple of the lord: -

2. One solid image of Maha-Vishnu, having four divine arms (and measuring) nineteen viral and six torai in height from the feet to the hair.

3. One lotus on which this (image) stood, set with jewels (and measuring) three viral in height.

4. One pedestal, joined to it (and measuring) twelve viral square, and five viral and two torai in height.

5. One solid aureola, covering this (image and measuring) two muram, twenty viral and six torai in circumference.

No. 53. On a pillar of the north enclosure.

This inscription records the setting-up of a copper image of Patanjalideva, who was represented as half man and half snake, before the 29th year of the reign of Rajarajadeva. The donor was one of the queens of the latter, whose name is obliterated, but, with the help of the inscription No. 51, may be restored as Panchavan-mahadevi.

Translation

1. Hail! Prosperity! The following copper mage, — which had been set up in the temple of the lord Sri-Rajarajaesvara until the twenty-ninth year (of the king’s reign) by [Pancha]va[n]-mahadevi, the consort of our lord Sri-Rajarajadeva], — was engraved on stone, after it had been measured by the cubit measure (preserved) in the temple of the lord, and after the gold (given to it) had been weighed by the stone called (after) Adavallan: -

2. One solid image of Sri-Patanjalideva, (measuring) one, [three] quarters and one eight [of a muram] in height from the tail to the hoods (phana). It had five hoods, in the midst of these hoods one face, one crown (makuta), two divine arms, above the navel a human body, and below the navel three coils.[16]

3. One lotus-seat (padmasana) on which this (image) rested, set with jewels (and measuring) nine viral and a half in height, and three, three quarters and one eight of a muram in circumference.

4. One solid aureola, covering this (image and measuring) four muram in circumference.

5. To this (image) were given: -

6. Twenty-two sacred gold flowers, consisting of forty-four karanju f gold, — each (consisting of) two karanju of gold.

7. One pair of sacred (ear-rings in the shape of a) makara,[17] consisting of (one) karanju and three quarters and four manjadi of gold.

8. One sacred arm-ring, (consisting of) four karanju and three quarters, two manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

9. One sacred arm-ring, (consisting of) five karanju of gold.

No. 54 On the base of the north enclosure.

This inscription opens with the same historical passage as Nos. 10 to 19, and records that certain persons deposited a sum of money in favor of the images of Chandrasekharadeva and of his consort before the 10th year of the reign of Rajendra-Choladeva. The two images had been set up by king Rajarajadeva.[18]

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Translation

1. Hail! Prosperity! In the tenth year (of the reign) of Ko-Parakesarivarman, alias Sri-Rajaendra-Choladeva, who, — in (his) life of high prosperity, (during which he) rejoiced that, while Fortune, having become constant, was increasing, the goddess of the great earth, the goddess of victory in battle, and the matchless goddess of fame had become his great queens, — conquered with (his) exceedingly great army Idaiturai-nadu; Vanavasi, whose warriors (were protected by) walls of continuous forests; Kollippakkai, whose walls were surrounded by sulli (trees); Mannaikkadakkam of unapproachable strength; the crown of the king of Iram, who came to close quarters in fighting; the exceedingly beautiful crown of the queen of the king of that (country); the crown of Sundara and the pearl-necklace of Indra, which the king of the South had previously given up to that (king of Iram); the whole Ira-mandalam on the transparent sea; the crown praised by many and the garland of the sun, family-teasures, which the arrow-shooting (king of) Kerala rightfully wore; many ancient islands, whose old and great guard was the sea, which resounds with conches; the crown of pure gold, worthy of Lakshmi, which Parasurama, having considered the fortifications of Sandimattivu impregnable, had deposited (there), when raging with anger, (he) bound the kings twenty-one times; the seven and a half lakshas of Iratta-padi, (which was) strong by nature, (the conquest of which was accompanied) with immeasurable fame, (and which he took from) Jayasimha, who, out of fear (and) full of vengeance, turned his back at Muyangi and hid himself; and the principal great mountains, (which contained) the nine treasures; — there was engraved on stone (the name of) the village, which had received on interest from Chandesvaradeva, — who is the first servant of the supreme lord, who has been pleased to take up gladly his abode in (the temple called) Sri-Rajarajesvara, — (part) of the money, which had been deposited until the tenth year (of the reign) of the lord Sri-Rajendra-Choladeva for the offerings and other expenses required by (the image of) Chandrasekharadeva, — which the lord Sri-Rajarajadeva had set up in the temple of lord Sri-Rajarajesvara, (and) which the lord Sri-Rajendra-Choladeva had attached to the Perundanattu Anaiyalgal,[19] — and by (the image of) his consort.

2. The members of the assembly of Perumakkalur, a brahmadeya in Kirar-kurram, (a subdivision) of Nittavinoda-valanadu, have received after (the harvest of) the pasan in the tenth year (of the reign) of the lord Sri-Rajaendra-Choladeva one hundred and twenty kasu out of the money, which the Perundanattu Anaiyalgal, — who were attached to (the image of) Chandrasekharadeva, which had been set up by the lord Sri-Rajarajadeva, and to (the image of) his consort, — had deposited for the offerings and other expenses required by these (two images). For (these one hundred and twenty kasu), they have to pay every, year as long as the moon and the sun endure, fifteen kasu into the treasury of the lord, — the rate of interest being one eighth kasu per year for each kasu.

No.55. On a niche of the east enclosure

This inscription records that, before the 29th year of the king’s reign, an officer of Rajarajadeva, named Irayiravan Pallavayan, alias Mummadi-Sora-Posan, set up a copper image of Chandesvaradeva,[20] to which he presented a few ornaments. In an inscription of the 10th year of the reign of Rajendra-Choladeva,[21] this image is referred to as having been set up by the same officer, and his name occurs three times in the large Leyden grant.[22]

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Translation

1. Hail! Prosperity! The following copper image, — which had been set up in the temple of the lord Sri-Rajarajesvara until the twenty-ninth year (of the king’s reign) by Irayiravan Pallavayan, alias Mummadi-Sora-Posan, a Perundanam[23] of the lor Sri-Rajarajadeva, — was engraved on stone, after it had been measured by the cubit measure (preserved) in the temple of the lord, and after the jewels (given to it) had been weighed without the threads by the stone called (after) Dakshina-Meru-Vitankan: -

2. On solid image of Chandesvaradeva, having two divine arms and (measuring) one muram, six viral and six torai from the feet to the hair.

3. One lotus on which this (image) stood set with jewels (and measuring) three viral and two torai in height.

4. One pedestal, having an auspicious mark (? bhadra) in the middle of its front side (and measuring) one [muram, four] viral and a half in length, [ten] viral in breadth, and seven viral in height.

5. One solid aureola, (measuring) four muram, eight viral and a half in circumference.

6. One solid axe (maru),[24] held by this (image and measuring) thirteen viral in length, and two viral and a half in circumference.

7. To this (image) were given: —

8. A girdle (of) three strings (vadam), weighing, with the lac, eight karanju and three quarters, (one) manjadi and (one) kunri, and worth seven and one twentieth of a kasu. One (these strings) were strung ninety-three pearls, — viz., polished pearls, small pearls, (pearls) resembling toddy in colour, with rubbed surface and with cracked surface, and old pearls, — six corals, six lapis lazuli, two talimbam (each of) which consisted of three (pieces) soldered together, one eye and one hook.

9. One ornament consisting of a single string ([ekaval]li), weighing, with the lac, two karanju, two manjadi and (one) kunri, and worth one and a half kasu. On (it) were strung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pearls, — viz., polished pearls, small pearls, (pearls) resembling toddy in colour, with rubbed surface and with cracked surface, — two corals, two lapis lazuli, two talimbam, one eye and one hook.

10. One string, weighing (one) karanju and (one) kunri, and worth half a kasu. On (it) were strung forty-six pearls, — viz., polished pearls, small pearls, (pearls) resembling toddy in colour, with rubbed surface and with cracked surface, and old pearls, — and one coral.

No.56. On a niche and a pillar of the east enclosure

This inscription records that, before the 29th year of the king’s reign, the same officer of king Rajarajadeva, who is mentioned in the inscription No. 47, set up a copper image of the sun-god, Suradeva, and presented some ornaments to this image.

Translation

1. Hail! Prosperity! The following copper image, — which had been set up in the temple of the lord Sri-Rajarajesvara until the twenty-ninth year (of the king’s reign) by Kovan Annamalai, alias Keralantaka-Virupparaiyan, a Perundaram of the minor treasure (sirudanam) of the lord Sri-Rajarajadeva, — was engraved on stone, after it had been measured by the cubit measure (reserved) in the temple of the lord, after the jewels (given to it) had been weighed without the threads by the stone called (after) Dakshina-Meru-Vitankan, and after the gold had been weighed by the stone called (after) Adavallan: -

2. One solid image of Suryadeva, having two divine arms (and measuring) one muram and two viral in height from the feet to the hair.

3. One lotus on which this (image) stood set with jewels (and measuring) two viral and a half in height.

4. One pedestal, having an auspicious mark in the middle of the front side (and measuring) one and one eighth of a muram in length, nine viral in breadth, and six viral in height.

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5. One solid aureola, (measuring) three, one half and one eight of a muram in circumference.

6. To this (image) were given: —

7. One garland of rays,[25] hanging down, weighing, with the lac, ten karanju, nine manadi and (one) kunri, and worth fifteen and one twentieth of a kasu. It had seventeen marriage-badges (tali) strung on (it), two front-plates (idaikkattu), two paligai (each of) which consisted of three (pieces) soldered together, five eyes, four kallippu and one hook. On (it) wee fastened thirty-three crystals, twenty-one diamond crystals, twenty-three potti, and one hundred and seventeen pearls, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, sappatti and sakkattu.

8. One kotpu,[26] weighing, -inclusive of the gold (threads) on which it was strung, — (one) karanju and (one) kunri, and worth three kasu.

9. One girdle (kalavam), weighing, with the lac, six karanju and four manjadi, and worth eight kasu. On (it) were strung ninety pearls, — viz., round pearls, polished pearls, small pearls and nimbolam, — six corals, six lapis lazuli, two paligai (each of) which consisted of three (pieces) soldered together, one eye and one hook.

10. One sacred pearl ornament (sri-chhanda), weighing, with the lac, eighteen karanju and six manjadi, and worth fifteen kasu. It had two clasps (mugam), eight front-plates and two chief pendants (nayaka-tukkam), (each of) which had three vidangu at the top of an enali. On (it) were fastened twenty crystals, eight diamond crystals and twelve potti; and (on it) were strung five hundred and eleven pearls, viz., polished pearls, small pearls, sakkattu twin pearls and crude pearls.

11. One pair of sacred ear-rings (tirukkambi), (consisting of one) karanju of gold.

12. One pair of sacred arm-ring (tirukkaikkarai), (consisting of) three karanju and three quarters, and two manjadi of gold.

13. One pair of sacred foot-rings (tiruvadikkarai), (consisting of) two karanju and three quarters, and (one) kunri of gold.


[1] Karnapravrita is the same as Karnapravarana, ‘a being whose ears are so large that it uses them as a cloak.’

[2] Thaijai for Thanjai occurs also in No. 2, paragraph 43.

[3] Kunjikirathu‘to stand on one foot (in dancing or penance)’ (Winslow).

[4] The expression kizhniyathu occurs again in No. 56, paragraph 7.

[5] This term recurs in No. 56, paragraphs 7 and 9.

[6] On ekaralli see page 73, note 4.

[7] The literal meaning of is ‘a nail (as small as) a fly’s leg.’

[8] Upalanilam is probably a corruption of the Sanskrit atpala-nila, ‘blue as a lotus;’ nilam elsewhere used for a ‘a sapphire.’

[9] Literally, ‘pins of two (pieces) which had become one.’

[10] According to the Dictionnaire Tamoul-Fancais, is tharuppu ‘a stone resembling the diamond, but of inferior quality.’

[11] Compare ibid. vadukakkathu ‘a Telugu ear, i.e., a large pendent ear, the lobe [of which is artificially] enlarged.’

[12] Compare ukippuravan in No. 2, paragraphs 38 and 40.

[13] Compare No. 46, paragraph 43.

[14] According to Winslow, malar means ‘the nut or head of a spike.’

[15] Compare paragraph 44.

[16] Sutrupazhai seems to correspond to the Sanskrit boga.

[17] According to Bohtlingk and Roth’s Sanskrit-Worterbuch, makara –kundala.

[18] Another image of Chandrasekharadeva, which had been set up by a different person, is mentioned in No. 38, paragraph 20.

[19] I.e., ‘the elephant-troopers of the large treasure.’ Similar terms occur in the inscriptions Nos. 9 to 19.

[20] Two other copper image of Chandesvara had been set up by king Rajarajdeva; see No. 29, paragraphs 10 and 12.

[21] No. 12, paragraph 1.

[22] See page 98, note 5. According to an inscription of the 14th year of the reign of Mummudi-Soradeva (i.e., Rajarajadeva) at Melpadi, six miles north of Tiruvallam in the North Arcot district, the same officer made a gift to the temple of Cholendrasimhesvara (now called Somanathesvara) at that village. This inscription calls him sonattu thenkaraippampunikkuttratharai suruttaiyan Irayiravan pallavayanana Mummudichola posan “Irayiravan Pallavayan, alias Mummudi-Sora-Posan, the chief of Araisur (and a native of) Araisur in Tenkarai-Pambuni-kurram, (a subdivision) of Sonadu (i.e., The Chola country).” His surname Mummadi or Mummudi-Sora-Posan ust have been derived from Rajaraja’s surname Mummudi-Soradeva. After the accession of Rajendra-Chola, he appears to have adopted the new surname Uttama-Sora-Pallavaraiyan (No. 12, paragraph 1, and line 439 f. of the Leyden grant). A similar change of names is noticed on page 139, note 1.

[23] This word appears to be the designation of some office, as Perundaram (page 141, note 1). Its genitive case occurs in the two terms Perundanattu Anaiyalgal (No. 54) and Perundanattu Valangai-velaikkara-padaigal (Nos. 12 and 13).

[24] This attribute of the image is evidently intended for the axe (maru), with which Chandesvara cut off the legs of his father according to the Periyapuranam (page 81 of the Madras edition of 1888)

[25] Pasamalai might correspond to the Sanskrit bhasamala, which would come to the same as amsumala.

[26] Kotpu means ‘a circle.’ It might also be a clerical mistake for ‘an ear-ornament.’

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