1837.] Facsimiles of Ancient Inscriptions. 285 



Translation by the Rev. War. Yates. 



1. Salutation to Shiva. The row of skulls (on Ka'li') are dancing over 

 Shiva*, being made alive by the stream of nectar flowing from the bright 

 flame of the eye in his shining forehead. Seeing this, the moon thinking 

 one Rahu had become many, took refuge in the fortress of Gangd amidst 

 the wood of Shiva's thick hair : may that moon preserve you. 



2. '-'Who is this that from the pride of the eye in his forehead 

 subdues all the world?" May that Gautama, the chief of sages, who in 

 thus addressing Shiva with detraction, transferred the brightness of his 

 eye into his own foot, live for ever. 



3. The prince of his family was the ornament of the world which is 

 the birth-place of all, revered by the learned, the seat of virtue, and glori- 

 ous as the mountain that churned the mighty ocean. He was glorious: 

 the whole earth was overspread with the creeper of his fame, and he was 

 the eradicator of the white lily of his enemies' glory, which was withered 

 by his powerful rays. 



4. He was the ornament of all his race ; by him the boisterous host of 

 all opposers was defeated. Hence he outshone the moon, and laid the 

 beautiful spreading creeper of his jasmine-like fame prostrate in the 

 dust. He was the first and chief of all. 



5. From this source of virtue sprung Ahirama, worthy of praise, the 

 possessor of ethical skill, who by his unbounded glory was like the moun- 

 tain on which the full moon rises. When he exerted himself in the virtue 

 of liberality, the triumphant banners of his pure and shining honor were 

 resplendent before the palaces of the three worlds. 



6. From Ahirama were born two individuals, a son and a daughter, 

 like the moon and Lakshmi' from the sea, and they were fitly named 

 Swapneswara and Surama'. The one, as an ornament of the world, was 

 the possessor of all virtues ; and the other, as the destroyer of the disease 

 poverty, was like the goddess of wealth. 



7. He became the glory of his race, and, like Shiva, distinguished by 

 endless good qualities. His lotus-like feet rested on a footstool enlight- 

 ened by gems in the crowns of prostrate kings. 



8. When the disk of the glorious sun was shining on the sea of dust 

 excited by the hoofs of his galloping steeds, and setting to opposing kings, 

 then fortune accompanied with companions from all sides, and adorned 

 with the pearls of elephants slain, met him in the midst of the field of 

 battle according to appointment. 



9. "Ho! ye young and aged, shall famine ever come to you? ami 

 prepared to offer sacrifice only for the gratification of the eaters of flesh ?" 

 Hearing these his words, the evil spirits around filled all their granaries 

 with the flesh of enemies slain in battle. 



* Shiva is here supposed to be prostrate and Ka'li' standing on his breast. 

 He has three eyes, ouc in his forehead with the crescent of the moon. 

 2 v 



