गुप्त अभिलेख संग्रह (जे. एफ. फ्लीट - गुप्त सम्राटों एवं परवर्ती नरेशों के ऐतिहासिक पाषाण व ताम्रलेख)

THE GUPTA INSCRIPTIONS; No. 18, PLATE XI. 87
which the fishes lie low down in the water ; which (on accoun. of the cold) is destitute of
the enjoyment of the beams of the moon, and (sitting in the open air on) the flat roofs of
houses, and sandal-wood perfumes, and palmleaf-fans, and necklaces ;—in which the
waterlilies are bitten by the frost ; which is charming with the humming of the bees that
are made happy by the juice of the full-blown flowers of the rôdhra¹ and priyaṁgu-
plants² and the jasmine-creepers ; in which the lavalî-trees³ a d the solitary branches
of the nagaṇâ-bushes⁴ are made to dance with the force of the wind that is harsh and
cold with particles of frost ;—(and) in which (the cold induced by) the falling of frost and
snow is derided by the close embraces of the large and beautiful and plump and bulky
breasts and thighs of young men and (their) mistresses, completely under the influence
of love ;—when, by (the reckoning from) the tribal constitution of the Mâlavas, four
centuries of years, increased by ninety-three, had elapsed ; in that season when the low
thunder of the muttering of clouds is to be welcomed (as indicating the approach of
warmth again) ;—on the excellent thirteenth day of the bright fortnight of the month
Sahasya,—this temple was established, with the ceremony of auspicious benediction.
(L. 19.)—And, in the course of a long time, under other kings, part of this temple fell
into disrepair ; so now, in order to increase their own fame, the whole of this most noble
house of the Sun has been repaired again by the munificent corporation ;—(this temple)
which is very lofty (and) pure ; which touches the sky, as it were, with (its) charming spires;
(and) which is the resting-place of the spotless rays of the moon and the sun at (their)
times of rising. Thus, when five centuries of years, increased by twenty, and nine years
had elapsed ; on the charming second lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month
Tapasya ;—in the season⁵ when (Kâmadêva), whose body was destroyed by Hara, develops
(his number of five) arrows by attaining unity with the fresh bursting-forth of the flowers of
the aśôka⁶ and kêtaka⁷ and sinduvâra-trees,⁸ and the pendulous atimuktaka-creeper,⁹ and
the wild-jasmine ;—when the solitary large branches of the nagaṇâ-bushes are full of the
songs of the bees that are delighted by drinking the nectar ; (and) when the beautiful and
luxuriant rôdhra-trees swing to and fro with the fresh bursting forth of (their) flowers,—
the whole of this noble city was decorated with (this) best of temples ; just as the pure sky
is decorated with the moon, and the breast of (the god) Śârṅgin with the kaustubha-jewel.
As long as (the god) Îśa wears a mass of tawny matted locks, undulating with the spotless
rays of the moon (on his forehead) ; and (as long as) (the god) Śârṅgin (carries) a garland
of lovely waterlilies on his shoulder ;—so long may this noble temple endure for ever !
(L. 23.)—By the command of the guild, and from devotion, (this) temple of the Sun
was caused to be built ; and this (eulogy)¹⁰ that precedes was, with particular care, compos-
¹ rôdhra, also lôdhra ; the tree Symplocos Racemosa.
² priyaṁgu ; a medicinal plant and perfume ; Panicum Italicum ; Sinapis Ramosa ; saffron.
³ lavalî ; the Averrhoa Acida.
⁴ nagaṇâ ; the Cardiospermum Halicacabum.
⁵ i.e. Śiśira, the cool or dewy season, consisting of the months Mâgha (January-February) and
Phâlguna or Tapasya (February-March).
⁶ aśôka ; the tree or shrub Jonesia Aśôka.
⁷ kêtaka ; the tree Pandanus Odoratissimus.
⁸ sinduvâra ; the tree or shrub Vitex Negundo.
⁹ atimuktaka ; a certain creeper, tree, or shrub, with apparently white flowers.
¹⁰ praśasti.—This was the customary technical term applied to inscriptions on stone. It has to
be supplied here; but it is of constant occurrence ; e.g. in line 27 of the Aphsaḍ inscription of