96 Translation of an Inscription, No. 2, [Feb. 



work, rendered blind (useless) in the paths of the science of law, the 

 old expositions ; and also, by making clear with his commentary the 

 verses of the Munis on that subject, entirely removed every doubt 

 regarding lawful actions. — 23.* By whom truly that aid in spiritual 

 knowledge, in which a thousand arguments like the rays of the sun 

 endure not darkness, was composed according to the rules prescribed 

 by the learned. What need of many words ! this sage is unrivalled 

 in the following branches of knowledge ; viz. the Sdma-veda to its 

 utmost extent, all the arts of poets, sacred science, the Ayur-veda 

 (science of medicine), the Astra-veda (science of arms), &c. — 24. By 

 whom, indeed, is his name BALA-vALABHi'-BHUjANGAf not honored? 

 — it is with extasy heard, described, and proclaimed even by Mimdngsd 

 (sacred science) herself. — 25. Who (Bhava-deva), bringing to life 

 a whole world by means of his mystical incantations, which resemble 

 the morning clang of instruments breaking the night of unconscious- 

 ness caused by the bite of a fanged and rabid serpent, has become 

 an unequalled Mrityunjay/a (conqueror of Death, a name of Siva), 

 in sporting with poison, another Nila-kantha, (blue-throaty, another 

 epithet of Siva.) — 26. By whom was formed in Rarha, in the arid 

 boundaries of land bordering a village situated on a wild road, a 

 reservoir of water which fills the water-jars, the desires and the 

 minds of travellers sunk in fatigue ; and of which the beds of lotuses 

 are abandoned by the bees fascinated by the reflected shadows of the 

 lotus-like faces of beauteous damsels who have bathed on its banks. — 



27. By him this stone (image of) the adorable Na'rayana (Vishnu), 

 by which the face of the earth is adorned, was fixed like a bridge for 

 crossing the ocean of material existence. Which, being the dark- 

 blue frontal mark of the moon-like face of the eastern quarter, is to 

 the earth (as it were) a lotus used sportively for an ear-ring, the 

 Pdrijdta § tree of this world, the bestower of completion of designs. — 



28. By him was erected this splendid temple, whose glory is exalted 

 in emulation of the mountain of (Siva), the destroyer of Tripura, 

 and which like Hari (Vishnu), is distinguished by the mark called 



* This verse is in the Sragdhara metre of 21 syllables in each p£da or half line. 



t The meaning of this surname is not apparent : it is compounded of three 

 words, "^V^f " young, ignorant," &c. ^Wtf\ " the frame of a thatch, a turret ;" 

 also I believe the name of a city and a dynasty, and WWW " a snake, an adul- 

 terer." 



X Siva is said to have swallowed the poison produced among other things, 

 at the churning of the ocean ; the only effect it produced on the god was a blue 

 mark on his throat, whence this epithet. This verse celebrates Bhava-deva' a 

 excellent knowledge of antidotes. 



§ The name of a celestial tree which grants all desires. 



