Page:Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal Vol 7, Part 1.djvu/340

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
294
Translation of the inscription on a Bell
[April,


(Symbol missingIndic characters) [On comparing the translation with the original text, through the aid of Ratna Paula, we find that the first half of the inscription is left untranslated, either from its obscurity or from its not containing any thing of material import. Nevertheless as the document is incomplete without it we will endeavour to give the sense of this portion.

" In the course of the Bhattakambha (Bhadrakalpa or golden age) the holy power of (the Buddhas) Kukusanda, Konagamana, and Kasyapa, was manifested ; but their religion expired with them. Afterwards the supreme power of the divine mahavira Gautama appeared in the world. From the date of his nibban (nirvan) 1275 years, (A. D. 732) and after that in this 913th* year, (A. D. 1645) a prince is ruling replete with virtue, intelligence, learning and elo- quence, vigour and determination ; of a family all virtuous, redressing his subjects' grievances, and distributing favors : he, desiring the oppor- tunity of doing good, consulted with his chief minister Dasabenya and his four ministers in order to extend friendship, and favor, and charity, and to give employ to his subjects of town and country. DoBENYAf expounded that the anointed sovereign was one and supreme, that his city contained the five forces, Dasabala, Nyanbala, Kdyabala, Tejabala, and Sutabala, which being explained mean, Dasabala the rich, possessed of gold, silver, jewels, &c. ; Nyanbala, the raja himself replete with supremacy, power, command, skill, and majesty ; Kdyabala, those having the eighteen sciences, and the warrior class ; Tejabala, priests and the wise ; and Sutabala (Srutabala), the intelligent inhabitants of town and country. He (the raja) expelled his brother Byano Yo, why ? — because he did not walk in the way of the respectable : why was his brother put out of the throne of Pi? fPromeJ, because he did not honor or favor his nobles and his generals, therefore was he expelled. Dussidat (Tushadatta) commander of the army, with the

  • The passage is obscure and the second date 1913 — We suppose the 1 to be an accidental stroke the sense becomes as above. t Dasabenya ?