【Move to another page】
Quote
https://ift.tt/2JMFbaV
Velvikudi inscription
Utcursch: fmt
June 19, 2018 at 09:21AM
ヴェルヴィクディの碑文
Velvikudiの碑文は、インド南部のパンディア王国からの8世紀のバイリンガル銅板碑文です。内接サンスクリット語とタミル語の言語、それはのPandya王Nedunjadaiyanの更新記録補助金へのVelvikudi村のブラーフマナを。
Quote
https://ift.tt/2JMFbaV
Velvikudi inscription
Utcursch: fmt
The '''Velvikudi inscription''' is an 8th-century bilingual inscription from the [[Pandya dynasty|Pandya kingdom]] of southern India. Inscribed in [[Sanskrit]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil]] languages, it records the Pandya king Nedunjadaiyan's renewal of a [[brahmadeya|grant]] of the Velvikudi village to a [[brahmin|brahmana]].
== Physical features ==
The inscription is in form of ten [[Indian copper plate inscriptions|copper plates]], each measuring 27.5 x 8 cm. The plates are held together by a thin copper ring, without a seal. [[British Museum]]'s ''Indian charters on copper plates in the Department of Oriental Manuscripts and Printed Books'' (1975) states that these copper plates were found at Madakulam.
== Date ==
The grant recorded in the inscription was probably made in 769-770 CE, but there is some controversy about its actual date.
== Language ==
The inscription features [[Sanskrit]] language inscribed in [[Grantha script]] (lines 1-30 and 142-150), and [[Tamil language|Tamil]] language inscribed in [[Vatteluttu script]] (lines 31-141 and 151-155). The Tamil portion also uses the Grantha script for words of Sanskrit origin, but the spelling of these words is sometimes influenced by the rules of Tamil orthography. The sequential numbers on the copper plates are inscribed in the Grantha script.
The Sanskrit portion was composed by Varodayabhatta, who is described as "a performer of all sacrifices" (''Sarvakratuyajin''). The Tamil portion was composed by ''[[Senapati]]'' Enadi alias Chattan Chattan.
The inscription includes ''[[prashasti]]'' (eulogy) portions written in both Sanskrit and Tamil. In the earlier inscriptions from the Tamil-speaking region, issued by the [[Pallava dynasty|Pallavas]], the ''prashasti'' portion is written only in Sanskrit while the use of Tamil is restricted to the transactional portions. The later inscriptions, issued by the [[Chola dynasty|Cholas]], also follow the Pallava model. The Velvikudi inscription is the earliest extant inscription that features ''prashasti'' portions written in both Sankrit and Tamil, a model also followed in other Pandya inscriptions, such as the Larger [[Chinnamanur]] (Sinnamanur) inscription and the [[Dhalavaipuram]] (Dalavayapuram) inscription. This appears to be the result of the Pandya attempts to raise the status of the Tamil language.
[[H. Krishna Sastri]], who first edited and translated the inscription, suggested that the Sanskrit part may have been added later to give the inscription a "dignified appearance". However, this is unlikely, because similar Sanskrit portions also appear in other near-contemporary Pandya inscriptions. Moreover, the Tamil text of the Velvikudi inscription does not start on a new copper plate, but in the middle of the reverse of the third copper plate. The Sanskrit text that appears at the end of the inscription begins on the reverse of the ninth copper plate, but it is followed by Tamil text starting in the middle of the last copper plate.
== Content ==
=== Sanskrit portion: Mythical genealogy ===
The inscription begins with a Sanskrit portion that invokes the god [[Shiva]], and describes the mythical lineage of the Pandya kings, naming the sage [[Agastya]] as their family priest. It states that at the end of the previous ''[[kalpa (aeon)|kalpa]]'' (age), a king named Pandya ruled the coastal region. At the beginning of the present ''kalpa'', this king Pandya was reborn as [[Budha]], the son of the [[Chandra|Moon]]. Budha's son [[Pururavas]] introduced the dynasty's emblem - a pair of fish, and shared his throne and taxes with [[Indra]]. Pururavas' descendant Maravarman was a patron of the learned, who conquered several enemies and gave away heaps of gold.
Maravarman's son Ranadhira was an able ruler like his ancestors, and Ranadhira's son Maravarman (II) alias Rajasimha was a powerful, prosperous, truthful and learned ruler. The enemy king Pallavamalla ran away from the battlefield when faced with Rajasimha, wondering if the Pandya king was Shiva, [[Vishnu]], or [[Indra]]. Rajasimha generously distributed his wealth among the [[brahmin|brahmanas]], beggars and temples. He married the daughter of the Malava king, and their son was the next ruler, Jatila. (Sastri identified Malava with modern Mala-nadu.) Jatila alias Parantaka was almost equal to [[Kartikeya|Skanda]], the son of Shiva.
=== Tamil portion: Historical context ===
The Tamil portion begins with the description of a past event: Narkorran ([[Tamil Lexicon]]: Naṟkoṟṟan), a [[brahmin|brahmana]] of the Paganur-kurram and a headman of [[Korkai]], completed a Vedic sacrifice with the help of the Pandya king Palyaga Mudukudimi Peurvaluti (Palyāka Mutukuṭumi Peruvaḻuti). The spot of the sacrifice was named Velvikudi (Vēḷvikkuṭi, modern identity uncertain). Based on a petition from the brahmanas of Paganur-kurram, the king granted the village to Narkorran.
Subsequently, a [[Kaliyuga|Kali]] king named Kalabhran (identified with the [[Kalabhras]]) conquered the whole Pandya country, including Velvikudi. After some time, the Pandya king [[Kadungon]] recaptured his ancestral territory from the enemies. Kadungon's son was [[Avani Sulamani|Avani Sulamani Maravarman]], whose son was [[Jayantavarman|Seliyan Vanavan Sendan]].
The next king in the line, [[Arikesari Maravarman|Arikesari Asamasaman Maravarman]], won a battle at Pali by driving into a herd of war elephants; defeated the ocean-like army of Vilveli at Nelveli; destroyed the [[Paravas|Paravar]] who did not seek refuge with him; annihilated the race of the people of Kurunadu; won a battle at Sennilam by driving into a herd of war elephants; defeated the king of [[Kerala Kingdom|Kerala]] several times at the strongly-fortified town of [[Puliyoor|Puliyur]]; performed in the ''hiranyagarbha'' and ''tulabhara'' gift-giving ceremonies; and protected the brahmanas and the infirm.
Seliyan Sendan's son [[Kochadaiyan Ranadhiran|Sadaiyan]] (Caṭaiyaṉ), the lord of [[Kongu Nadu|Konga]], bore the titles Tenna-Vanavan, Sembiyan, Solan and Madura-Karunatakan. Sadaiyan won a battle at Marudur; defeated Ayavel in the battles at Sengodi and Pudankodu; and destroyed the ''[[maharathi (warrior)|maharathi]]s'' at Mangalapuram. He stamped the symbols of bow, tiger and fish on [[Mount Meru]] (these are the symbols of the Chera, Chola and Pandya countries; thus, the inscription suggests that he held supreme authority over the Chera, Chola and Pandya territories).
Sadaiyan's son [[Maravarman Rajasimha I||Ter-Maran]] defeated the enemies at Neduvayal, Kurumadai, Manni-Kurichchi, Tirumangai, Puvalur, and [[Kodumbalur]]. He defeated the Pallava king at Kulumbur, capturing the enemy's elephants and horses. He defeated his enemies at Periyalur, crossed the Kaviri ([[Kaveri River]]), and subdued the Mala-Kongam country. He reached [[Kodumudi|Pandi-Kodumudi]], and worshipped Pashupati ([[Shiva]]). He established a marital alliance with the Gangaraja. He performed the gift-giving ceremonies ''Gosahasra'' (gift of cows), ''hiranyagarbha'', and ''tulabhara''. He relieved the distriess of those who studied the Vedas, and repaired the fortifications at Kudal, [[Vanchi|Vanji]] and [[Uraiyur|Koli]].
Ter Maran's son Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan (the issuer king) was a respected, merciful and militarily powerful king, who loved the learned people (''pandita-vatsala''), and equalled [[Shraddhadeva Manu|Manu]]. He was like death to his enemies (''parantaka''), like [[Arjuna|Partha]] in wielding the bow, like [[Kinnara]] in music. He defeated the [[Kadava dynasty|Kadava]] ruler at Pennagadam, forcing the enemy king to flee to the forest. He also won a battle at Nattukkurumbu, forcing the Ayavel and the Kurumbas to flee to the forest.
=== Tamil portion: Grant ===
The Velvikudi inscription provides the earliest extant reference to the establishment of a [[Brahmadeya]] (land grant to a [[brahmin|brahmana]]) in the Tamil-speaking region. It records Nedunjadaiyan's renewal of a grant made by his purported ancestor, the ancient Pandya king Palyaga Mudukudimi Peurvaluti.
The inscription states that during the third year of Nedunjadaiyan's reign, a man arrived at the Pandya capital Kudal (Kūṭal or [[Madurai]]), and complained that Velvikudi had not been returned to Narkorran's descendants after the end of the Kalabhra interregnum. The king asked the complainant to prove the antiquity of the grant, which the complainant did. The king then granted the Velvikudi village to Kamakkani Narchingan (Kāmakaṇi Naṟchiṅgaṉ) alias Suvaran Singan, the headman of Korkai. The headman kept the one-third of the village for himself, and distributed the remaining part among fifty other brahmanas.
=== Sanskrit portion: imprecatory verses ===
The Sanskrit portion at the end names Mangalaraja Madhuratara as the ''ajnapti'' of the grant, describing him as a ''[[vaidya|vaidyaka]]'', a master of the [[shastra]]s, a poet and an orator. TThis portion ends with four [[Vaishnavite]] imprecatory verses (cursing those who violate the grant deed).
=== Tamil portion: Colophon ===
The Tamil portion at the end states that the inscription was engraved by the order of the king himself, and names the engraver as Yuddhakesari Perumbanaikkaran. The engraver was alloted a house site, a [[paddy field|wet field]] and a dry field.
== Historicity ==
The Sanskrit portion of the inscriptions mentions three immediate predecessors of the current king (four generations in total), while the subsequent Tamil portion mentions six such ancestors (seven generations in total). These numbers appear to have been determined by convention: the other near-contemporary inscriptions from the region variously name either four or seven generations of kings.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Genealogy of the Pandya kings according to the Velvikudi inscription
! Sanskrit portion ([[IAST]] transliteration)
! Tamil portion ([[Tamil Lexicon]] transliteration)
|-
|
| Palyāka Mutukuṭumi Peruvaḻuti
|-
|
| [[Kadungon|Kaṭuṅkōṉ]]
|-
|
| [[Maravarman Avani Culamani|Avani Sulamani]] (Avaṉi Cūḷāmaṇi Māṟavarmaṉ)
|-
|
| [[Jayantavarman|Ceḻiyaṉ Vāṉavaṉ Cēntaṉ]]
|-
| [[Arikesari Maravarman|Māṟavarman]]
| Arikesari Asamasamaṉ Māṟavarmaṉ
|-
| [[Kochadaiyan Ranadhiran|Raṇadhīra]]
| Caṭaiyaṉ
|-
| [[Maravarman Rajasimha I|Māṟavarman II alias Rājasiṃha]]
| Tēr Māṟaṉ
|-
| Jaṭila alias Parāntaka
| Neṭuñcaṭaiyaṉ
|}
While the inscription presents the issuer king Nedunjadaiyan as a descendant of Palyāka Mutukuṭumi Peruvaḻuti, but this may be a false claim. It is possible that the Pandya dynasty established by Nedunjadaiyan's ancestor Kadungon was probably distinct from the ancient Pandya dynasty.
== References ==
=== Bibliography ===
*
*
*
*
*
== External links ==
* ''[https://ift.tt/2JYHc3l Velvikudi Grant of Nedunjadaiyan]'': text and translation by H. Krishna Sastri, in ''Epigraphia Indica'' Volume 17.
[[Category:Indian inscriptions]]
[[Category:Sanskrit inscriptions in India]]
[[Category:Tamil inscriptions]]
== Physical features ==
The inscription is in form of ten [[Indian copper plate inscriptions|copper plates]], each measuring 27.5 x 8 cm. The plates are held together by a thin copper ring, without a seal. [[British Museum]]'s ''Indian charters on copper plates in the Department of Oriental Manuscripts and Printed Books'' (1975) states that these copper plates were found at Madakulam.
== Date ==
The grant recorded in the inscription was probably made in 769-770 CE, but there is some controversy about its actual date.
== Language ==
The inscription features [[Sanskrit]] language inscribed in [[Grantha script]] (lines 1-30 and 142-150), and [[Tamil language|Tamil]] language inscribed in [[Vatteluttu script]] (lines 31-141 and 151-155). The Tamil portion also uses the Grantha script for words of Sanskrit origin, but the spelling of these words is sometimes influenced by the rules of Tamil orthography. The sequential numbers on the copper plates are inscribed in the Grantha script.
The Sanskrit portion was composed by Varodayabhatta, who is described as "a performer of all sacrifices" (''Sarvakratuyajin''). The Tamil portion was composed by ''[[Senapati]]'' Enadi alias Chattan Chattan.
The inscription includes ''[[prashasti]]'' (eulogy) portions written in both Sanskrit and Tamil. In the earlier inscriptions from the Tamil-speaking region, issued by the [[Pallava dynasty|Pallavas]], the ''prashasti'' portion is written only in Sanskrit while the use of Tamil is restricted to the transactional portions. The later inscriptions, issued by the [[Chola dynasty|Cholas]], also follow the Pallava model. The Velvikudi inscription is the earliest extant inscription that features ''prashasti'' portions written in both Sankrit and Tamil, a model also followed in other Pandya inscriptions, such as the Larger [[Chinnamanur]] (Sinnamanur) inscription and the [[Dhalavaipuram]] (Dalavayapuram) inscription. This appears to be the result of the Pandya attempts to raise the status of the Tamil language.
[[H. Krishna Sastri]], who first edited and translated the inscription, suggested that the Sanskrit part may have been added later to give the inscription a "dignified appearance". However, this is unlikely, because similar Sanskrit portions also appear in other near-contemporary Pandya inscriptions. Moreover, the Tamil text of the Velvikudi inscription does not start on a new copper plate, but in the middle of the reverse of the third copper plate. The Sanskrit text that appears at the end of the inscription begins on the reverse of the ninth copper plate, but it is followed by Tamil text starting in the middle of the last copper plate.
== Content ==
=== Sanskrit portion: Mythical genealogy ===
The inscription begins with a Sanskrit portion that invokes the god [[Shiva]], and describes the mythical lineage of the Pandya kings, naming the sage [[Agastya]] as their family priest. It states that at the end of the previous ''[[kalpa (aeon)|kalpa]]'' (age), a king named Pandya ruled the coastal region. At the beginning of the present ''kalpa'', this king Pandya was reborn as [[Budha]], the son of the [[Chandra|Moon]]. Budha's son [[Pururavas]] introduced the dynasty's emblem - a pair of fish, and shared his throne and taxes with [[Indra]]. Pururavas' descendant Maravarman was a patron of the learned, who conquered several enemies and gave away heaps of gold.
Maravarman's son Ranadhira was an able ruler like his ancestors, and Ranadhira's son Maravarman (II) alias Rajasimha was a powerful, prosperous, truthful and learned ruler. The enemy king Pallavamalla ran away from the battlefield when faced with Rajasimha, wondering if the Pandya king was Shiva, [[Vishnu]], or [[Indra]]. Rajasimha generously distributed his wealth among the [[brahmin|brahmanas]], beggars and temples. He married the daughter of the Malava king, and their son was the next ruler, Jatila. (Sastri identified Malava with modern Mala-nadu.) Jatila alias Parantaka was almost equal to [[Kartikeya|Skanda]], the son of Shiva.
=== Tamil portion: Historical context ===
The Tamil portion begins with the description of a past event: Narkorran ([[Tamil Lexicon]]: Naṟkoṟṟan), a [[brahmin|brahmana]] of the Paganur-kurram and a headman of [[Korkai]], completed a Vedic sacrifice with the help of the Pandya king Palyaga Mudukudimi Peurvaluti (Palyāka Mutukuṭumi Peruvaḻuti). The spot of the sacrifice was named Velvikudi (Vēḷvikkuṭi, modern identity uncertain). Based on a petition from the brahmanas of Paganur-kurram, the king granted the village to Narkorran.
Subsequently, a [[Kaliyuga|Kali]] king named Kalabhran (identified with the [[Kalabhras]]) conquered the whole Pandya country, including Velvikudi. After some time, the Pandya king [[Kadungon]] recaptured his ancestral territory from the enemies. Kadungon's son was [[Avani Sulamani|Avani Sulamani Maravarman]], whose son was [[Jayantavarman|Seliyan Vanavan Sendan]].
The next king in the line, [[Arikesari Maravarman|Arikesari Asamasaman Maravarman]], won a battle at Pali by driving into a herd of war elephants; defeated the ocean-like army of Vilveli at Nelveli; destroyed the [[Paravas|Paravar]] who did not seek refuge with him; annihilated the race of the people of Kurunadu; won a battle at Sennilam by driving into a herd of war elephants; defeated the king of [[Kerala Kingdom|Kerala]] several times at the strongly-fortified town of [[Puliyoor|Puliyur]]; performed in the ''hiranyagarbha'' and ''tulabhara'' gift-giving ceremonies; and protected the brahmanas and the infirm.
Seliyan Sendan's son [[Kochadaiyan Ranadhiran|Sadaiyan]] (Caṭaiyaṉ), the lord of [[Kongu Nadu|Konga]], bore the titles Tenna-Vanavan, Sembiyan, Solan and Madura-Karunatakan. Sadaiyan won a battle at Marudur; defeated Ayavel in the battles at Sengodi and Pudankodu; and destroyed the ''[[maharathi (warrior)|maharathi]]s'' at Mangalapuram. He stamped the symbols of bow, tiger and fish on [[Mount Meru]] (these are the symbols of the Chera, Chola and Pandya countries; thus, the inscription suggests that he held supreme authority over the Chera, Chola and Pandya territories).
Sadaiyan's son [[Maravarman Rajasimha I||Ter-Maran]] defeated the enemies at Neduvayal, Kurumadai, Manni-Kurichchi, Tirumangai, Puvalur, and [[Kodumbalur]]. He defeated the Pallava king at Kulumbur, capturing the enemy's elephants and horses. He defeated his enemies at Periyalur, crossed the Kaviri ([[Kaveri River]]), and subdued the Mala-Kongam country. He reached [[Kodumudi|Pandi-Kodumudi]], and worshipped Pashupati ([[Shiva]]). He established a marital alliance with the Gangaraja. He performed the gift-giving ceremonies ''Gosahasra'' (gift of cows), ''hiranyagarbha'', and ''tulabhara''. He relieved the distriess of those who studied the Vedas, and repaired the fortifications at Kudal, [[Vanchi|Vanji]] and [[Uraiyur|Koli]].
Ter Maran's son Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan (the issuer king) was a respected, merciful and militarily powerful king, who loved the learned people (''pandita-vatsala''), and equalled [[Shraddhadeva Manu|Manu]]. He was like death to his enemies (''parantaka''), like [[Arjuna|Partha]] in wielding the bow, like [[Kinnara]] in music. He defeated the [[Kadava dynasty|Kadava]] ruler at Pennagadam, forcing the enemy king to flee to the forest. He also won a battle at Nattukkurumbu, forcing the Ayavel and the Kurumbas to flee to the forest.
=== Tamil portion: Grant ===
The Velvikudi inscription provides the earliest extant reference to the establishment of a [[Brahmadeya]] (land grant to a [[brahmin|brahmana]]) in the Tamil-speaking region. It records Nedunjadaiyan's renewal of a grant made by his purported ancestor, the ancient Pandya king Palyaga Mudukudimi Peurvaluti.
The inscription states that during the third year of Nedunjadaiyan's reign, a man arrived at the Pandya capital Kudal (Kūṭal or [[Madurai]]), and complained that Velvikudi had not been returned to Narkorran's descendants after the end of the Kalabhra interregnum. The king asked the complainant to prove the antiquity of the grant, which the complainant did. The king then granted the Velvikudi village to Kamakkani Narchingan (Kāmakaṇi Naṟchiṅgaṉ) alias Suvaran Singan, the headman of Korkai. The headman kept the one-third of the village for himself, and distributed the remaining part among fifty other brahmanas.
=== Sanskrit portion: imprecatory verses ===
The Sanskrit portion at the end names Mangalaraja Madhuratara as the ''ajnapti'' of the grant, describing him as a ''[[vaidya|vaidyaka]]'', a master of the [[shastra]]s, a poet and an orator. TThis portion ends with four [[Vaishnavite]] imprecatory verses (cursing those who violate the grant deed).
=== Tamil portion: Colophon ===
The Tamil portion at the end states that the inscription was engraved by the order of the king himself, and names the engraver as Yuddhakesari Perumbanaikkaran. The engraver was alloted a house site, a [[paddy field|wet field]] and a dry field.
== Historicity ==
The Sanskrit portion of the inscriptions mentions three immediate predecessors of the current king (four generations in total), while the subsequent Tamil portion mentions six such ancestors (seven generations in total). These numbers appear to have been determined by convention: the other near-contemporary inscriptions from the region variously name either four or seven generations of kings.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Genealogy of the Pandya kings according to the Velvikudi inscription
! Sanskrit portion ([[IAST]] transliteration)
! Tamil portion ([[Tamil Lexicon]] transliteration)
|-
|
| Palyāka Mutukuṭumi Peruvaḻuti
|-
|
| [[Kadungon|Kaṭuṅkōṉ]]
|-
|
| [[Maravarman Avani Culamani|Avani Sulamani]] (Avaṉi Cūḷāmaṇi Māṟavarmaṉ)
|-
|
| [[Jayantavarman|Ceḻiyaṉ Vāṉavaṉ Cēntaṉ]]
|-
| [[Arikesari Maravarman|Māṟavarman]]
| Arikesari Asamasamaṉ Māṟavarmaṉ
|-
| [[Kochadaiyan Ranadhiran|Raṇadhīra]]
| Caṭaiyaṉ
|-
| [[Maravarman Rajasimha I|Māṟavarman II alias Rājasiṃha]]
| Tēr Māṟaṉ
|-
| Jaṭila alias Parāntaka
| Neṭuñcaṭaiyaṉ
|}
While the inscription presents the issuer king Nedunjadaiyan as a descendant of Palyāka Mutukuṭumi Peruvaḻuti, but this may be a false claim. It is possible that the Pandya dynasty established by Nedunjadaiyan's ancestor Kadungon was probably distinct from the ancient Pandya dynasty.
== References ==
=== Bibliography ===
*
*
*
*
*
== External links ==
* ''[https://ift.tt/2JYHc3l Velvikudi Grant of Nedunjadaiyan]'': text and translation by H. Krishna Sastri, in ''Epigraphia Indica'' Volume 17.
[[Category:Indian inscriptions]]
[[Category:Sanskrit inscriptions in India]]
[[Category:Tamil inscriptions]]
June 19, 2018 at 09:21AM
ヴェルヴィクディの碑文
Velvikudiの碑文は、インド南部のパンディア王国からの8世紀のバイリンガル銅板碑文です。内接サンスクリット語とタミル語の言語、それはのPandya王Nedunjadaiyanの更新記録補助金へのVelvikudi村のブラーフマナを。
