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.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[1] (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,[2] 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): -

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2. One diadem (vira-patta),[3] 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,[4] 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.

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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 treasuries, 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.

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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[5] 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[6] (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),[7] the tax on measures (alavu-varga),[8] urai-nari, (the share of) the village-watchman (who is placed) over the Vettis, the eighth share (araikkalvasi)[9] and all other taxes (varga), and including the dues[10] (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 king’s 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!


[1] Compare No.3, paragraphs 5 and 6.

[2] That this is the correct translation of the ambiguous words Kanthalur-salai kalamaruth-tharuli, may be concluded from two inscriptions of the Chola king Ko-Rajakesarivarman, alias Rajadhirajadeva, at Velur and Tiruppangili, which read: Seralan Vellai-kazzhu Kathalur-salai kalamarupithu; “(he) caused to be destroyed the ships (of) Seralan (i.e., the Chera king) (at) Kandalur-Salai, which is situated on the sea.” Accordingly, Kandalur-Salai appears to be a place on the Malabar Coast. In the Kalingattu-Parani (xi. 71) the shorter form Salai is used for it.

[3] No. No.8, paragraph 25, this ornament forms part of a crown (makuta).

[4] On the original stone are traces of the word Thaanai before Thirupattigai. Compare Thaanai-Dhukkam in No. 51, paragraph 26.

[5] Kadukina must have the same meaning as Surukina in No. 1, paragraph 18, and NO. 43, paragraphs 5 and 21.

[6] According to No. 59 of Vol. I, two of the boundaries of a village which had been granted to the Vishnu temple at Poygai, wee marked by stones, on which a discus (ari), the emblem of Vishnu, was engraved.

[7] Maravadai (which is a more probable reading than Mavadai) and Kulavadai occur in line 9, and pun-payir in line 8, of the second tier of No. 22.

[8] This term is perhaps synonymous with Alakku-ganam in line 9 of the second tier of No.22. On page 114, this word was transcribed by Alakku-ganam which I now consider less probable.

[9] This term occurs in line 11, and the two preceding ones in line 8 f. of the second tier of No. 22.

[10] Opadhi is a corruption of upadhi, which occurs in line 8 of No. 23; see also the Index to Vol. I, s.v.

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