SERMONS IN STONES.

    In Vol. X. part III. Of the Epigraphica Indica, Dr. E. Hultzsch gives the inscriptions found in the seven pagodas, with plates from inked estampages furnished by Rai Bahadur V. Venkayya. The inscriptions were published before by the learned Doctor in Vol. I., of South Indian Inscriptions, but these are published now with some improvements and some additions, and in the notes and introduction he has utilized some fresh materials which have accumulated since the time of the original publication. We give below the translation of the inscriptions in the Ganesa Temple and Saluvanguppam and another version of the first of these we published in Vol. III. P. 58 under the above heading.

I. INSCRIPTION AT THE GANESA TEMPLE MAVALIVARAM.

    Verse I.     Let (Siva), the destroyer of Love, (who is) the cause of production, existence and destruction, (but is himself) without cause, fulfill the boundless desires of men!

    Verse 2.     Let Him be victorious, who is (both) without illusion (and) possessed of manifold illusion (Chitramaya), who is (both) without qualities (and) endowed with qualities (Gunabhajana), who is self-existent (Svastha) (and) without superior (Niruttara), who is without lord (and) the highest lord (Paramesvara)!

    Verse 3.     SRINIDHI bears on (his) head that Aja (Siva), pressed by the weight of whose great toe, the Kailasa (mountain) together with the ten-faced (Ravana) sank down into Patala.

    Verse 4.    Let that SRIBHARA be victorious for a long time, who bears Bhava (Siva) in (his) mind which is humbled with devotion, and (who bears) the earth on (his) arm like a coquettish ornament!

    Verse 5.    King ATYANTAKAMA, who has subdued the circle of (his) foes, is famed (by the name of) RANAJAYA; - he caused to be made this abode of Sambhu (Siva).

    Verse 6.    Let (Siva) be victorious, who is (both) sentient (and) motionless (Sthanu), who is (both) undivided (and) the moon, who has (both) the nature of fire (and) a body of air, who is (both) terrible (Bhima) (and) kind (Siva), who is (both) beneficent (Samkara) (and) the destroyer of Love!

    Verse 7.    Let TARUNANKURA be victorious, who is king of kings (Rajaraja) (but) is not ugly (like Kuvera), who is an emperor, (but) does not distress people (while Vishnu is both Chakrabhrit and Janardana), who is the lord of protectors (and) independent (Svastha), (while the moon is the lord of stars, but is waning in the dark half of the month and subject to eclipses)!

    Verse 8. F.    Just as in a large lake, filled with water which is fit for bathing, and covered with various lotus-flowers, handsome Samkara (Siva) abides on the massive head – sprinkled with the water of coronation (and) covered with bright jewels – of the glorious Atyantakama, who deprives (his) enemies of (their) pride, who is receptacle of wealth (SRINIDHI) who possesses the charm of Love (Kamaraga), (and) who assiduously worship Hara (Siva).

    Verse 10.    He, desiring (to attain) the glory of Samkara (Siva), caused to be made this lofty dwelling-house of Dhurjati (Siva) in order (to procure) the fulfillment of (their) desires to (his) subjects.

    Verse 11.    Six times cursed be those in whose hearts does not dwell Rudra (Siva), the deliverer from the walking on the evil path!

II. (SALUVANGUPPAM).

    Verse 1. f.    Just as in a large lake, filled with water (which is fit) for bathing, (and) covered with various lotus-flowers, handsome Samkara (Siva) abides on the massive head – sprinkled with the water of coronation (and) covered with bright jewels – of the glorious ATYANTAKAMA who deprives (his) enemies of (their) pride, who is a receptacle of wealth (Srinidhi), who possesses the charm of Love (Kamaraga) (and) who assiduously worships Hara (Siva).

    Verse 3.    For the welfare of the earth, he who is standing at the head of the lords of the earth caused to be made this house of Sambhu (Siva), which resembles (the mountains) Kailasa and Mandara.

    Verse 4.    Let that SRIBHARA be victorious for a long time, who bears Bhava (Siva) in (his) mind which is humbled with devotion, and (who bears) the earth on (his) arm like a coquettish ornament!

    Verse 5.    ATIRANACHANDA, the lord of the rulers of the earth, made this (temple called) Atiranachandesvara. Let Pasupati (Siva), attended by the mountain-daughter (Parvati), Guha Skanda and the demigods (Gana), always take delight (in residing) here!

    Verse 6.    Let the eight-formed lord of beings (Siva) take up (his) abode for a long time in this temple (called) ATIRANACHANDESVARA, which was caused to be built by him who, together with the name of ATIRANACHANDA, owns deep devotion to Isana (Siva), abundant wealth, the heavy burden of the earth and unequalled liberality, (and) who is renowned by the name of Ranajaya!

    Verse 7.     Who is able to master the music of Kalakala, unless the perfomer (were) Bharata, Hari, Narada, or Skanda?

THE EDITOR.