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. 41 on a niche of the west enclosure

The date of this inscription is the same as that of the preceding No.40. The inscription describes gifts that were made to four of the images, the setting-up of which is recorded in the inscription No. 38, by the temple manager who had set them up. The four recipients of the gifts were the images of Nambi-Aruranar (alias Sundaramurti), Tirunanasambandadigal, Tirunavukkaraiyadevar and Periya-Perumal. The gifts consisted of two lamps and one stand for sacred ashes.

Translation

1. Hail! Prosperity! Adittan Suryan, alias Tennavan Muvenda-velan, a headman (of) Poygai-nadu, who carried on the management of the temple of the lord Sri-Rajarajesvara, gave until the third year (of the reign) of the lord Sri Rajendra-Soradeva to (the images of) Nambi-Aruranar, Tirunanasambandadigal and Tirunavukkaraiyadevar, which he had set up himself, one fixed lamp (nilai-vilakku) of zinc (tara), which, together with an iron pin (narasam), weighed forty-one palam and a half.

2. The same person gave to (the image of) Periya-Perumal, which he had set up himself, one fixed lamp of zinc, which, together with an iron pin, weighed one hundred and twenty palam.

3. (He further gave) one stand for sacred ashes of bell metal (venkala madal), weighing four palam.

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No. 42. On a niche and a pillar of the west enclosure

This inscription is engraved on the same niche as the preceding No. 41; the last few line are on an adjacent pillar. The inscription records that, before the 29th year of the reign of Rajarajadeva, his queen Cholamahadevi set up copper images of Siva, called Adavallar, and of his consort and presented a few ornaments to these two images.

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 Soramahadeviyar, 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 without the threads, the frames and the copper nails 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 Adavallar, having four divine arms, (the goddess) Ganga-bhattaraki on the braided hair, nine braids of hair (jata) and seven flower-garlands (pumalai), and (measuring), together with (an image of) Musalagan who was lying on the ground, three quarters and one eighth of a muram in a 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 five viral in height, half a muram in length, and ten viral in breadth.

5. One solid aureola (measuring), three muram and two viral in circumference.

6. One solid image of his consort Umaparamesvari, measuring seventeen viral and two torai in height from the feet to the hair.

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

8. One pedestal on which this (image) stood, measuring three viral and six torai in height, eight viral and six torai and length, and seven viral and a half in breadth.

9. One solid aureola, measuring two muram, fourteen viral and a half in circumference.

10. To (the image of) Adavallur the same (queen) gave one string of round beads (tiral-mani-vadam), (containing) six karanju and a half and (one) manjadi of gold.

11. To (the image of) his consort Umaparamesvari the same (queen) gave: -

12. One spiral (tiru), (consisting) of a ruby which was strung on a gold string, weighing, with the lac, (one) karanju and a half, two manjadi and (one) kunri, and worth four kasu. Into (it) were set three flat and round diamonds; (on it) were fastened one smooth ruby and one emerald (pachchai); and (on it) were strung one smooth ruby with [large] cavities, cuts and holes, two talimbam, one eye and one hook.

13. One ornament of three strings (trisaram), weighing, with the lac, three karanju and three quarters, four manjadi and seven tenths, and worth eight kasu. On (it) were strung eighty-seven pearls, — (viz.) round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, (Pearls) of brilliant water, of red water, and resembling toddy in colour, — six corals, two gold pins (nembu), two talimbam (each of) which consisted of three (pieces) soldered together, and two eyes.

14. One string of beads for the marriage-badge (tali-mani-vadam), (containing one) karanju and three quarters, two manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

No. 43. On the base of the west enclosure

The date of this inscription and the name of the donor are only partially preserved, but were doubtlessly the same as in the inscriptions Nos.40 and 41. It records the setting-up of copper images of two gods, — Kshetrapaladeva (paragraph 2) and Bhairava (7), — and of three human beings, who were arranged in a group (24). These were siruttonda-Nambi (12), (his wife) Tiruvenkattu-Nangai (16) and (their son) Siraladevar (19), who, according to the Periyapuranam, was killed by his parents and served up as a meal to Siva in his form of Bhairava. Thus the inscription is an additional proof of the antiquity of the legends, which are embodied in the Periyapuranam, and some of which are referred to in other inscriptions of Rajaraja (No. 38) and Rajendra-Chola (Nos. 40 and 41). Siruttondan is already mentioned in the Devaram of Tirunanasambandar.

Translation

1. (The following) divine and human images of copper, — which had been set up until the third year (of the king’s reign) by . . . . . . . . . . . . Muvenda-Velan, — were engraved on stone, after they had been measured by the cubit measure (preserved) in the temple of the lord, after the gold (given to them) had been weighed by the stone called (after) Adavallan, and after the jewels had been weighed without the threads by the stone called (after) Dakshina-Meru-Vitankan: -

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2. One solid (image of) Kshetrapaladeva, having eight divine arms (and measuring) three quarters and done eighth of a muram in height from the feet to the hair.

3. One pedestal on which this (image) stood joined to a lotus (and measuring) nine viral in height and nine viral squares.

4. To this (image) he gave: — One string of round beads (tiral-mani-vadam), (containing) a quarter (of a karanju) of gold.

5. One front-plate (vira-patta), laid (round the head of the image and consisting of) seven manjadi of gold.

6. Two plates (tagadu), (used as) sacred earrings (tirukkudambai), (and consisting of) three manjadi of gold.

7. One solid (image of Siva in his) form (murti) of Sri-Bhairava, represented as dancing, having two divine arms (and measuring) eighteen viral in height from the feet to the hair.

8. One pedestal on which this (image) stood joined to a lotus (and measuring) nine viral in height and eight viral in breadth.

9. To this (image) he gave: — One string of round beads, (containing) four manjadi of gold.

10. One string (vadam), weighing half a karanju, four manjadi and (one) kunri, and (worth) a quarter kasu. On (it) were strung thirty-three pearls, viz., crude pearls, twin pearls and sappatti.

11. One string, weighing eight manjadi, and (worth) a quarter kasu. On (it) were strung thirty-seven pearls, viz., crude pearls, twin pearls and sappatti.

12. One solid (image of) Siruttonda-Nambi, having two arms (and measuring) seventeen viral in height from the feet to the hair.

13. To this (image) he has: -

14. One string of rounds beads, (containing) three manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

15. A collar (karai) of rudraksha (beads), (containing), — exclusive of the rudraksha (beads), — half a karanju and (one) manjadi of gold.

16. One solid (image of) Tiruvenkattu-Nangai, (measuring) fifteen viral in height from the feet to the hair.

17. To this (image) ha gave: -

18. A neck-ring (pattaikkarani), (consisting of) nine manjadi and (one) kunri of gold, — including the marriage-badge (tali), which was strung on (it).

19. One solid (image of) Siraladevar, having two arms (and measuring) twelve viral in height from the feet to the hair.

20. To this (image) he gave: -

21. One front-plate, laid (round the head of the image and consisting of) four manjadi of gold.

22. Two plates, (used as) sacred earrings, (and consisting of one) manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

23. A neck-ring and a spear (sula), (consisting of) half a karanju, four manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

24. One pedestal on which the three images stood, joined to a lotus (and measuring) twenty-three viral in length, seven viral in breadth, and eight viral in height together with the lotus.

No.44. On a pillar of the west enclosure

This inscription records that, before the 29th year of the reign of Rajarajadeva, his queen Abhimanavalli set up a copper image, the name of which is only partially preserved. It seems however that it was a lingu (paragraph 2) and that image of Siva (3), Brahman (4), and Vishnu in his boar-incarnation (5) attended it.

The whole group probably referred to the following legend, which is narrated in the Arunachala-Mahatmya, a mythical account of the Saiva temple at Tiruvannamalai in the South Arcot district: — Siva appeared as a fiery linga to Brahman and Vishnu, and desired them to seek his base and summit, which they attempted in vain.” On this occasion, Vishnu is said to have assumed the shape of a boar, as stated in the subjoined inscription.

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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 Abhimanavalliyar, a queen (devi) of the 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 jewels (given to it) had been weighed without the threads by the stone called (after) Dakshina-Meru-Vitankan: -

2. One [image of Lingapura]na[deva], (measuring) twenty-one viral and six torai in height from the pedestal to the top, and one muruam, [eleven] viral and [two] torai in circumference.

3. One solid image (of Siva?), represented as appearing with this (image), having four divine arms (and measuring) twelve viral and four torai in height from the shank to the hair.

4. One solid (image of) Brahman, joined to the linga, having four divine arms (and measuring) seven viral in height.

5. One solid (image of) Vishnu with the head of a boar (varaha-mukha), joined to the linga, having four divine arms (and measuring) seven viral in height.

6. One pedestal (surmounted by) a lotus, (measuring) two muram, fourteen viral and four torai in circumference, and six viral and four torai in height.

7. One cow’s head[1] joined to this (pedestal and measuring) three viral and four torai in length, one viral and four torai in breadth, and one viral in height.

8. To this (image) were given: -

9. One necklace (tarvadam), weighing (one) karanju and a half, two manjadi and (one) kunri, and worth a quarter kasu. On (it) were strung four hundred and thirty pearls in clusters (punjai-muttu).

10. One necklace, weighing three karanju and a half, and worth half a kasu. On (it) were strung eight hundred and eighty-seven pearls in clusters.

No. 45. On a niche of the west enclosure.

This inscription is another copy of Nos. 31 and 33.

NO. 46. On two niches and two pillars of the west enclosure

This inscription commences on the same niche as the preceding No. 45, is continued on the four faces of each of two pillars, and ends on another niche. It records that, before the 29th year of the reign of Rajarajadeva, his queen Cholamahadevi set up copper images of Rishabhavahanadeva, i.e., Siva whose vehicle is the bull, of his consort Uma-paramesvari, and of their son Ganapati, and that she presented various ornaments to each of these three images.

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 Soramahadeviyar, 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 without the threads, the frames and the copper nails 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 of Rishabhavahanadeva, having four divine arms and (measuring) one muram, ten viral and two torai in height from the feet to the hair.

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

4. One solid image of his consort Umaparamesvari, measuring one muram and five viral in height from the feet to the hair.

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

6. One bull (rishabha), (partially) solid (and partially) hollow, land measuring one muram, six viral and five torai in height from the hoofs to the horns.

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7. One pedestal on which the god, his consort and the bull stood, (measuring) two muram, one viral and two torai in length, one and a quarter muram in breadth, and ten viral and one torai in height, and having on its two sides, (nerri) two lions (simha), which jutted out five viral and six torai (and measured) four viral and a half in breadth, and eight viral and a half in height.

8. One solid aureola, covering the god, his consort and the bull, consisting of two pillars and one half-moon,[2] and measuring six muram, nine viral and a half in circumference.

9. One solid image of Ganapati, measuring half a muram and five torai in height from the feet to the hair.

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

11. One pedestal, measuring nine viral in length, eight viral in breadth, and four viral, and two torai in height.

12. One solid aureola, measuring one (muram) and three quarters and five viral in circumference.

13. To (the image of) Rishabhavahanadeva were given: -

14. One small sacred garland (tiru-malai), weighing, with the lac, six karanju and a half, four manjadi and (one) kunri, and worth eleven kasu. On (it) were fastened fifty-six crystals, twenty-four potti and thirty-six pearls, viz., polished pearls and small pearls.

15. One tutturu, weighing, with the lac, (one) karanju and a half, three manjadi and eight tenths, and worth three kasu. On (it) were fastened one crystal and twenty-two pearls, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls and small pearls.

16. One string (vadam), weighing, with the lac, three karanju and three quarters, three manjadi and three tenths, and worth sixteen kasu. On (it) were strung thirty-three pearls, — viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, nimbolam, (pearls) with rubbed surface, (pearls) resembling toddy in colour, and ambumudu, — two corals, two lapis lazuli, two talimbam, one eye and one hook.

17. One string, weighing, with the lac, three karanju and three quarters, (one) manjadi and eight tenths, and worth fifteen kasu. On (it) were strung thierty-five pearls, — viz., round pearls, polished pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, nimbolam, payittam, (pearls) with rubbed surface, with cracked surface and of red water, — two corals, two lapis lazuli, two talimbam, one eye and one hook.

18. One string, weighing, with the lac, three karanju and three quarters, three manjadi and one tenth, and worth fifteen kasu. On (it) were strung thirty-one pearls, — viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, nimbolam, payittam, (pearls) with cracked surface and with rubbed surface, — two corals, two lapis lazuli, two talimbam, one eye and one hook.

19. One girdle,[3] weighing, with the lac, four karanju and three quarters, three manjadi and (one) kunri, and worth eleven kasu. On (it) wee strung ninety-nine pearls, — viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls and small pearls, — six corals, two gold pins, two talimbam (each of) which consisted of three (pieces) soldered together, and two eyes.

20. One ornament of five strings (panchasari), weighing, with the lac, eight karanju and a half, three manjadi and six tenths, and worth eight kasu. On (it) were strung two hundred and forty-three pearls, — viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, crude pearls, sakkattu, sappatti, (pearls) with rubbed surface and with cracked surface, — ten corals, two gold pins, two talimbam (each of) which consisted of five (pieces) soldered together, and one eye.

21. One sacred pearl ornament (sri-chhanda), weighing, — with the lac (which was used) instead of the gold at the back of the chief jewel (nayaka), — twenty-six karanju and (one) manjadi, and worth thirty kasu. On (it) were fastened twenty-one crystals, eight potti and thirteen gold pins; and (on it) were strung eight hundred and sixty-nine pearls, (viz.,) round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, nimbolam, payittam, crude pearls sappatti, sakkattu, (pearls) of brilliant water and of red water, and ambumudu.

22. One bracelet (valaiyil) of ball (gundu) soldered on a band (pattai) of gold, weighing eleven karanju and three quarters, (one) mannadi and (one) kunri, and worth thirteen, one-quarter and one eighth kasu. On (it) were strung three hundred and seventy-eight pearls, (viz.,) round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, sappatti, sakkattu, (pearls) of brilliant water and of red water.

23. One bracelet of balls soldered on a band of gold, weighing ten karanju and a half, three manjadi and (one) kunri, and worth thirteen kasu. On (it) were strung three hundred and seventy-six pearls, (viz.,) round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, sappatti, sakkattu, (pearls) of brilliant water and of red water.

24. One bracelet of balls soldered on a band of gold, weighing nine karanju, nine manjadi and (one) kunri, and worth six kasu. On (it) were strung two hundred and seventy-one pearls, viz., polished pearls, small pearls, crude pearls, sappatti and sakkattu.

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25. One bracelet of balls soldered on a band of gold, weighing seven karanju and a half and (one) manjadi, and worth seven kasu. On (it) were strung one hundred and forty-two pearls, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, crude pearls, sappatti and sakkattu.

26. One waist-band (udara-bandhana), weighing eight karanju, seven manjadi and (one) kunri, and worth eight kasu. On (it) were fastened eight crystals and three potti; and (on it) were strung three hundred and six pearls, (viz.,) round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, crude pearls, sappatti, sakkattu, (pearls) of brilliant water and of red water.

27. One sacred girdle (tiruppattigai), weighing, with the lac, forty karanju, and worth twenty-six kasu. In (it) were included one kimbirimugam,[4] ten small flowers (mattappu), one bud (mottu) and four [vi]dangu;[5] (on it) were fastened twenty crystals and twelve potti; and (on it) were strung seven hundred and thirty-four pearls, viz., crude pearls sakkattu and sappatti.

28. One sacred foot-ring (tiruvadikkarai) of balls soldered on a band of gold, weighing twelve karanju and a half and (one) kunri, and worth fifteen and a quarter kasu. On (it) were strung three hundred and seventy-five pearls, (viz.,) round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, sappatti, sakkattu, (pearls) of brilliant water and of red water.

29. One sacred foot-ring of balls soldered on a band of gold, weighing twelve karanju and (one) kunri, and worth sixteen kasu. On (it) were strung three hundred and seventy-two pearls, (viz.,) round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, sakkattu, sappatti, (pearls) of brilliant water and of red water.

30. One string of round beads (tiral-mani-vadam), (containing) seven karanju and a quarter of gold.

31. One string of rounds beads, (containing) seven karanju, four manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

32. One sacred arm-ring (tirukkaikkarai), (consisting of) nine karanju of gold.

33. One sacred arm-ring, (consisting of) eight karanju and three quarters of gold.

34. One sacred arm-ring, (consisting of) eight karanju and a half, three manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

35. One sacred arm-ring, (consisting of) six karanju and three manjadi of gold.

36. One sacred girdle, (consisting of) thirty kakanju of gold.

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

38. One sacred foot-ring, (consisting of) nine karanju and three quarters, two manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

39. One pair of sacred sandals (tiruvadi-nilai), (consisting of) forty-nine karanju and three quarters of gold.

40. One skull (kapala), (consisting of) fifty karanju, seven manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

41. One handle (kai) for a white chandra (ven-samarai), (consisting of) twelve karanju of gold.

42. One handle for a white chamara, (consisting of) nine karanju and three quarters, three manjadi and six tenths of gold.

43. One small scimitar (kurr-udaival), the hilt (? Asu) and blade (? Kandam) of which were inlaid with gold.

44. One paradal, (consisting of) one hundred and five karanju of silver.

45. One bowl (mandai), (consisting of) one hundred and eighty-five karanju of silver.

46. One girdle (in the shape of) a snake (kachch-olam), (consisting of) twenty-nine karanju and a quarter of silver.

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47. To (the image of) Umaparamesvari, the consort of Rishabhavahanadeva, the same (queen) gave: -

48. One spiral (tiru), (consisting) of a ruby, which was strung on a gold string, weighing, with the lac, two karanju, two manjadi, and (one) kunri, and worth eigh kasu. Into (it) were set three flat and round diamonds, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . one ruby . . . . . . . . . . with cavities and holes, lone eye and one hook.

49. One bracelet of halls soldered on a band of gold, weighing seven karanju and a half and (one) manjadi, and worth seven kasu. On (it) were strung one hundred and thirty-six pearls, viz., polished pearls, small pearls, crude pearls, sappatti and sakkattu.

50. One bracelet of balls soldered on a band of gold, weighing ten karanju and nine manjadi, and worth twelve kasu. On (it) were strung three hundred and seventy-six pearls, (viz.,) round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, sappatti, sakkattu, (pearls) of brilliant water and of red water.

51. One sacred girdle, weighing, with the lac, twenty-[four] karanju and a half, three manjadi and (one) kunri, and worth fifteen kasu. In (it) were included one kimbirimugam, ten small flowers and five buds; (on it) were fastened ten crystals and five potti; and (on it) were strung five hundred and forty-eight pearls, viz., round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, crude pearls, sappatti and sakkattu.

52. One sacred foot-ring of balls soldered on a band of gold, weighing ten karanju, two manjadi and (one) kunri, and worth fifteen and a quarter kasu. On (it) were strung one hundred and fifty-eight kpearls, viz., crude pearls, sakkattu and sappatti.

54. One string of beads for the marriage–badge (tali-mani-vadam), (containing one) karanju and three quarters, four manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

55. One string of round beads, (containing) four karanju and a half and two manjadi of gold.

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

57. One sacred arm-ring, (consisting of) six karanju of gold.

58. One sacred girdle, (consisting of) twenty karanju and a quarter of gold.

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

60. One sacred foot-ring, (consisting of) six karanju of gold.

61. To (the image of) Ganapti, which the same (queen) had set up, were given: -

62. One sacred gold flower (tirupporpu), (consisting of) three karanju of gold.

63. One sacred thread (pun-nul), (consisting of) six karanju, two manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

NO. 47. On a pillar of the west enclosure

This inscription records that, before the 29th year of the reign of Rajarajadeva, an officer of the king set up a copper image of Bhringisa, to which he presented some ornaments.

Regarding Bhringi, I am indebted for the following information to Mr. P. Sundaram Pillai, M.A., Professor of Philosophy, Trivandrum College: — “Bhringi is one of the attendants (gana) of Siva. Allusions of his bigoted worship of Siva, which would not condescend even to acknowledge the godhead of Parvati, are frequent in Tamil literature. According to the Skandapuranam, it was to l annoy his exclusive spirit, that Parvati sought union with Siva in the form of Ardhanarisvara. But Bhringi assumed the shape of a bee[6] and pierced his way through the united body of the god and the goddess, going round and worshipping the Siva portion only of the hermaphrodite. The goddess avenged herself then by with drawing all sakti from the zealot, and he is now generally represented as a skeleton, supporting himself with a third leg, which Siva, out of mercy, improvised for him.” In accordance with this myth, three legs and three arms are attributed to the mage of Bhringisa in paragraph 2 of the subjoined inscription.

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 (i.e., Gopa) Annamalai,[7] 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 (preserved) 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 Bhringisa (measuring) one muram, two viral and a half in height from the feet to the hair, and having a bush (sedi)[8] of the height of one viral, three divine feet and three divine arms.

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3. One pedestal on which this (image) stood set with jewels (and measuring) twenty viral in length, twelve viral in breadth, and six viral in height.

4. To this (image) were given: -

5. One ornament of three strings (trisaram), weighing, with the lac, five karanju and a quarter, and worth three and a half kasu. On (it) were strung one hundred and fifty pearls, — viz., sakkattu and crude pearls, — (one) talimbam and (one) eye.

6. One necklace (kantha-nan), weighing, — inclusive of one rudraksha (bead), (one) eye and (one) hook, — (one) karanju, and worth five kasu.

7. One sacred arm-ring (tirukkaikkarai), (consisting of one) karanju and two manjadi of gold.

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

9. One sacred arm-ring,[9] (consisting of) three quarters (of a karanju), four manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

10. One sacred foot-ring (tiruvadikkarai), (consisting of one) karanju and four manjadi of gold.

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

12. One sacred foot-ring, (consisting of one) karanju, three manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

No.48. On a niche and a pillar of the west enclosure

This inscription records that, before the 29th year of the reign of Rajarajadeva, his queen Trailokyamahadevi set up copper images of Siva called Kalyanasundara, of his wife Umaparamesvari, and of the two gods Vishnu and Brahman, who were represented as worshipping the first image, and that she presented a number of ornaments to the first two images. An inscription of the 10th year of the reign of Rajendra-Choladeva (No.11) refers to these two images of Kalyanasundara and his wife as having been set up by Trailokyamahadevi, the consort of Rajarajadeva.

Translation

1. Hail! Prosperity! The following copper images, — which had been set up in the temple of the lord Sri-Rajaajesvara until the twenty-ninth year (of the king’s reign) by Trailokyamahadevi, 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 had been weighed by the stone called (after) Adavallan: -

2. One solid image of Kalyanasundara, having four divine arms (and measuring) one muram and three quarters, two viral and a half in height from the feet to the hair.

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

4. One solid image of his consort Umaparamesvari, (measuring) one muram, eleven 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 two torai in height.

6. One pedestal on which the god and his consort stood, (measuring) two muram and fourteen viral in length, twenty-two viral in breadth, and nine 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) Vishnu, standing, pouring out water to this (god), having four arms (and measuring) twenty viral 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 four-legged pedestal, (which measured) three quarters (of a muram) and three viral in height up to the lotus, and which consisted of four legs and a bush (sedi), which was one viral and a half thick.

11. One solid (image of) Brahman, represented as offering an oblation (huta), having [four] arms and four faces, comfortably seated (and measuring) half a muram n height from the feet to the hair.

12. One pedestal, joined to a lotus, set with jewels (and measuring) eight viral in height, twelve viral and a half in breadth, and three quarters (of a muram), three viral and a half in length.

13. To (the image of) Kalyanasundara were given: -

14. One sacred ear-ring (tirukkambi), (consisting of one) karanju and a half of gold.

15. One sacred ear-ring, (consisting of one) karanju, nine manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

16. One string of round beads (tiral-mani-vadam), (containing) five karanju and four manjadi of gold.

17. One string of round beads, (containing) five karanju and (one) manjadi o gold.

18. One string of round beads, (containing) five karanju, two manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

19. One sacred arm-ring (tirukkaikkarai), (consisting of) twenty karanju and a half and (one) manjadi of gold.

20. One sacred arm-ring, (consisting of) twenty karanju and a half, two manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

21. One sacred arm-ring, (consisting of) twenty karanju and six manjadi of gold.

22. One sacred arm-ring, (consisting of) nineteen karanju and three quarters of gold.

23. Two sacred foot-rings (Tiruvadikkarai), consisting of thirty-five karanju and a quarter of gold, — each (consisting of) seventeen karanju and a half, two manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

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24. To (the image of) the consort of this (god) were given: -

25. A spiral (tiru), strung on a neck-ring (pattaikkarai) of gold, weighing (one) karanju and a quarter and (one) kunri, and worth three and a half kasu. Into (it) were set three flat and round diamonds; and (on it) were fastened one crystal, one potti and one nail-Ganga-padikal.[10]

26. One sacred ear-ring, (consisting of one) karanju and a half and (one) kunri of gold.

27. One sacred ear-ring, (consisting of one) karanju, nine manjadi and (one) kunri of gold.

28. One string of round beads, (containing) four karanju and six manjadi of gold.

29. One string of round beads, (containing) four karanju and a half of gold.

30. One string of round beads; (containing) four karanju and nine manjadi of gold.

31. One sacred arm-ring, (consisting of) eleven karanju and three quarters and four manjadi of gold.

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

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

34. One sacred foot-ring, (consisting of) twelve karanju and a half and (one) manjadi of gold.


[1] According to the Dictionnaire Tamoul-Francais, komugai is ‘an opening in the shape of the head of a cow, which serves as an outlet for the water of a sacred bath,’ in the present instance for the water which is poured over the linga.

[2] Compare No.34, paragraph 7.

[3] Kaanvam is the same as kalabam.

[4] This term may be connected with kimpuri ‘a knob or ring.’

[5] Compare the Sanskrit vitanka, ‘the summit, top.’

[6] The Tamil vandu is synonymous with the Sanskrit bhringa, from which the above legend evidently derives the name Bhringi or Bhringin.

[7] Annamalai, after which the donor is surnamed, ‘the mountain which cannot be approached,’ or Tiruvannamalai is a famous Saiva shrine in the South Arcot district. Its Sanskrit name Arunachala, ‘the red mountain,’ appears to owe its origin to the desire for finding an apparent Sanskrit etymology of the original Tamil name. In inscriptions of the first and second Vijayanagara dynasties, the temple is called Sonachala or Sonasaila, ‘the red mountain.’

[8] A reference to paragraph 10 of No. 48 suggests, that the bush did not form part of the image, as the words of the next seem to imply, but was placed near the image on the pedestal, which is described in the following paragraph.

[9] Three arm-rings and three foot-rings are provided viz., one ring for each of the three feet and the three arms, which the image possessed according to paragraph 2.

[10] I.e., ‘the pearl (-like) stone (from) Gangapadi.’ This expression perhaps refers to the beryl, which according to Mr. Walhouse (Indian Antiquary, Vol. V, pp. 237 ff.) is found in no other locality in India besides Padiyur or Pattiyali in the Dharapuram talluqa of the Coimbatore district. The country of Gangapadi is one of the items in the list of conquests of Rajarajadeva.

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