No. 2. Kanheri Buddhist cave inscription. Prakrit. Buôhler - language Pali, letters Andhra type, date of the time of Pulumavi or earlier.
| The inscription is on the back wall of cave No 2 above a long bench set against the wall. It is a deeply cut distinct inscription of two lines, which records the gift of a refectory 'Sata' by Nākaíaka, inhabitant of Nasik. It measures 70 cm x 25 cm. Letters 10 cm. x 6 cm. Characters: Brāhmč, Early part of 2nd century A.D. Language: Prakrit. Orthography: The vertical stroke of the lelter "ka" has a curve at the bottom. (ShG) |
| 1847 Bird, Hist. Res. Plate XL, 1; 1853 Stevenson-Brett, JBBRAS V, p. 15 f., No. 2, and Plate, No. 3; 1861 West, JBBRAS VI. p. 3, No. 2, and Plate; 1883 Buôhler, ASW V, p. 75, No. 2, and PIate LI; Luders list 985; ShG. No.2 |
| Lu: -A seat (? sata), the gift of Nākaíaka (Nāga), the Nāsikaka (inhabitant of Nāsika). |
TEXT.
1. Nāsikakasa Nāka-
2. íakasa sata deyadhama
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ASWI. tr. sata as seat, corrupt. from sadaõ
Nagaraju has rightly interpreted the word 'Sata' as the centre of free distribution of
food and water for the resident monks or more probably for the pilgrims who came to visit
the holy Chaitya hall which is situated just by the side of this cave. (ShG on Nagaraju S.
1979 JESI VI p. 44.)