82 Translation of an Inscription [No. 1, 



life Nang Phakavadi, reviving her (by the ceremony of Xub).* May 

 my fame spread about in eminent renown like that of Phra Noray 

 (Narayana or Vishnu), who, coming down from heaven (ravan), was 

 born in the state of man as Phra-Ram (Rama) and subjected the 

 Sack (RakshasaJ of Langka, walking through the air like Phra Tsun 

 in Kailasa. And then I wish to become a king and to get crowned, 

 and to have nine handsome ladies as queens on my side, and to reign 

 one hundred thousand years. And furthermore I pray for great 

 strength and for beauty like that possessed by Phra Chan (Chandra or 

 the moon) in times of old. May I possess prowess and a valiant heart, 

 like Phra-Ram, the celestial one. I pray for wisdom to understand 

 the Sinlaprasat, to know the whole of the military arts and warlike 

 exercises like the exalted Phra-Ram, to be expert like him in 

 archery. When this existence will be finished, may I be re-born the 

 son of a king. May I ascend to heaven like Phra Ketsamalea,f May 

 I be favoured by Phra-Ta (Tadra). May he give orders to Phra- 

 Phutsakam (Visvakarma) to build for me also a royal residence of 

 unparalleled splendour on the edges of the forest. May my voice be a 

 melodious one like that of the bird Karavek. May my wisdom 

 expand. May I know all things and everything. May I become rich 

 in silver and gold, in gems and precious stones. May I have abundance 

 in clothes, in carpets, in pillows and dresses. May my retinue be 

 formed by handsome ladies, graceful in figure and soft and delicate of 

 colour, with legs of the shape of the Talaket flower. May I understand 

 the whole sense of the Trai-Pidock.J May I, always revelling in favour- 

 able breezes, in the twinkling of the eye, hit the right to be safe. 

 May I never lose my knowledge, should even my body shuddering 

 tremble in fear. May my friends be one hundred one thousand in 



* The magic art of Xub, which revives by sprinkling with, enchanted 

 water, is taught in the high academy of Takkasila (Taxasila) ; and it is an 

 always recurring trait in the Indo-Chinese romances, that young princes or the 

 sons of wealthy Sethi travel to that famous city, to pass there some years as 

 students. Another, but more dangerous method", in which fire takes the place 

 of water, is known to the Rasi or Rischi, the hermits of the forest. The last 

 king of Nokhon Tom, whom they offered to cure of leprosy, lost his life during 

 the process. 



f Phra-Ketsamalea (the head crowned with garlands) is the reputed founder 

 of the splendid temple of Nakkon Vat. The legend makes him to-be a son of 

 Indra, and relates that his heavenly father sent Visacarma, the architect of the 

 gods, to build on earth a palace after the model of that in which the angels 

 pass their joyful lives. 



X The Buddhistic Scriptures are contained in the three parts of the Pitaka, 

 the Abhidhamma, the Vinaya and the Sutra. 



