Originally Posted by
DrRajpalSingh
Translation of an Inscription in the Nail-headed character relative to the Takshac [Jit] race
No I
Memorial of a Gete or Jit prince of the fifth century, discovered 1820, in a temple at Kunswa, near the Chumbul river, south of Kotah
May the Jit’ha be thy protector ! What does this Jit’h resemble? Wwhich is the vessel of conveyance across the waters of life, which is partly white, partly red? Again, what does it resemble, where the hissing-angered serpents dwell ? What may this Jit’ah be compared to, from whose root the roaring flood descends? Such is the Jit’h : by it may thou be preserved [1].
The fame of Raja Jit I now shall tell, by whose valour the lands of SALPOORA [2] are preserved. The fortunes of Raja Jit are as flames of fire devouring his foe. The mighty warrior JIT SALINDRA [2] is beautiful in person, and from the strength of his arm esteemed the first amongst the tribes of the mighty; make resplendent as does the moon the earth, the dominions of SALPOORI. The whole world praises the Jit prince. Who enlarges the renown of his race, sitting in the midst of haughty warriors, like the lotos in waters, the moon of te sons of men. The foreheads of the princes of the earth worship the toe of his foot. Beams of light irradiate his countenance, issuing from the gems of his arms of strength. Radiant is his array: his riches abundant; his mind generous and profound as the ocean. Such is he of SARYA [3] race, a tribe renowned amongst the tribes of the mighty; whose princes were ever foes to treachery to whom the earth surrendered her fruits, and who added the lands of their foes to their own. By sacrifice, the mind of this lord of men has been purified; fair are his territories, and fair is the FORTRESS OF TAK’HYA [4]. The string of whose bow is dreaded, whose wrath is the reaper of the field of combat; but to his dependents he is as the pearl on the neck; who makes no account of the battle, though streams of blood run through the field. As does the silver lotos bend its head before the fierce rays of the sun, so does his foe stoop to him, while the cowards abandon the field.
From this lord of men (Narpati) SALINDEA sprung DEVNGLI, whose deeds are known even at this remote period.
From him was born SUMBOOKA, and from him DEGALLI, who married two wives of YADU race [5], and by one a son named VIRA NARINDRA, pure as a flower from the fountain.
Amidst groves of amba, on whose clustering blossoms hang myriads of bees, that the wearied traveler might repose, was this edifice erected. May it and the fame of its founder, continue while ocean rolls, or while the moon, the sun, and hills endure. Samvat 597.--- On the extremity of MALWA, this minister [MINDRA] was erected, on the banks of the river TAVELI, by SALICHANDRA [6], son of VIRACHANDRA.
Whoever will commit this writing to memory, his sins will be obliterated.
Carved by the sculptor SEVNARYA, son of DWARASIVA, and composed by BUTENA, chief of bards.
Notes by Col. James Tod from 1 to 6 will follow in the next post.