209 
1861.] A Donative Inscription of the Tenth Century. 
Translation. 
1. May the deep hue of the hard throat of S'rikantha — a hue 
as of the smoke associated with the fire of the poison of strepitant* 
snakes ; resembling Sainhikeya, when in contact with the horns of 
the resplendent moon adorning S'iva’s head ; and exhibiting the 
beauty of musk, when lying shadowed on the tremulous cheeks of 
Girija — conduce to your well-being. 
2. May the person of the foe of Mura, pining because of severance 
from Radlia, and unquiet, — which derived no pleasure from the moon, 
of Lakshmi’s countenance ; which was unrefreshed by the waters of 
the sea, uncomforted by the lotos in the reservoir of his own navel, 
and uncheered by the sweet dilations from the thousand hoods of 
the serpent S'esha — protect you. 
###*#### 
3. As of the rack is the transient wantoning of kingship. Sweet 
but till its disappearance, oil scrutiny, is the fruition of worldly de- 
lights. Like a water-drop on the point of a spear of grass is the 
vital breath of men. Ah ! virtue, is one’s only friend on the journey 
of the other world. 
4. Of those who, having achieved prosperity,- — of which the 
abode is the rim at the top of the wheel of the revolving world, — 
practise not liberality, the sole requital is remorse.t 
* # * * * # * # 
5. By numerous kings, Sagara and others, the earth has been 
enjoyed. Whosesoever, for protection, at any time lias been the soil, 
his, meanwhile, in participation, has been the fruit of the merit re- 
dounding from the original hestowment thereof . J 
6. The grants — a source of merit, wealth, and distinction — once 
conferred, here on earth, by kings, rank with the reliques of sacrifices 
* ‘ To thunder’ is the only sense believed to be attached, in classical Sanskrit, 
to the verb sphurj. 
t Colebrooke, as I have elsewhere remarked, from misreading two characters 
in the first verse of this couplet, errs in explaining it. See his Miscellaneous. 
Essays, Yol. II., pp. 308, 309 ; and the Journal of the American Oriental Society. 
Vol. VII., p. 46. 
J J ust before this stanza, and serving to elucidate it, is the following sen- 
tence : “ Moreover, knowing this recompence, merit, to be common, the coming 
occupants of our title , born in our line, or strangers, should admit and uphold 
this virtuous donation by us assigned.” 
Dharmadaya , c virtuous donation,’ is a curious neoterism for dharma-ddna. 
