76 Translation of an Inscription [No. 1, 



Translation of an Inscription copied in the temple of Nalihon Vat 

 or the City of Monasteries, near the capital of ancient Kambodia. 

 — By Dr. A. Bastian. 



[Received 16tli January, 1867.] 



The magnificent monuments of Kambodia give testimony of a by- 

 gone civilisation, whose origin remains shrouded in mystery. Their 

 history will be read by the stone-sculptures which cover the walls 

 and portray the nations anciently inhabiting the country, their 

 costumes, manners and customs. There is, besides, scattered over the 

 ruins, a not inconsiderable number of inscriptions to be found, 

 which are written in an antiquated kind of Pali character, and, when 

 deciphered, may assist to obtain the right clue. The following 

 inscription is a more modern one in Kambodian letters, and was 

 copied inside the great temple at Nakhon Vat. 



Sapphamasadu : Grlory to the holy ones. In the year, which 

 counts 1623 in the era, the year of the dragon, the third month, on 

 .a Thursday, in concordance with the Gratha, which are written in 

 Pali, in the metrum of Phrohma-Kit, on the Phra-Phuttha Rub (the 

 statue of Buddha,) I humbly offer up flowers to Bhagavat, who sits in 

 meditation to observe the precepts (Sila), in the reflecting posture and 

 undisturbed by the attacks of man (Mara or Satan), on the handsome 

 seat of the Lotus (Phuttang). I offer up to the Pharabat (the holy 

 footstep) of highest excellence. I bend down and raise hands in 

 supplication at the feet of the Lord. I worship in my mind the three 

 jewels (Ratana-trai), laying down flowers and areca on the throne-seat 

 (banlang), which, elegantly ornamented by sculptures, is overhung in 

 fourteen folds with the Baldachin of four kinds of clothes, beautiful 

 all over in perfection, and the whole shining in brilliant splendour, 

 as a cover of Phra-Photisat (the holy Bodhisatwa), who sits motionless 

 in the posture of continual meditation. I present offerings to Sakhya- 

 Muni, the Lord of glory, who has preached the true law for guiding 

 all beings on the heavenly road. I do homage under the holy 

 footstep. I worship and adore, raising the hands in supplication before 

 the Lords of religion, the five Buddhas, the three gems : in humble 

 piety I invoke them, devoutly I pray. I offer myself in holy love, 

 never forgetting. I fix my mind, the whole of my mind and soul, on 



