No. 19. Kanheri Buddhist cave inscription. Prakrit.
| The inscription is on the left-hand side-wall outside the verandah of Cave No. 74. The inscription is very faint on an uneven surface of the rock. It is in mutilated condition. It refers to the donation of the son of Veíhunandi. The inscription measures 1.2 m. x 1.7 m. Letters 8 cm x 5 cm. Characters: Bràhmè, 3rd Century A.D. Language: Prakrit. Orthography: The letters show peculiarities of early 3rd Century Bràhmè. The letters have elongated verticals, letters pa' and 'ha' have flat base. (ShG) |
| 1861 West, JBBRAS VI. p. 7, No. 20, and Plate; 1883 Buôhler, ASWI V, p. 82, No. 19; 1896 note by Franke, ZDMG L, p. 598; 1908 note by Rapson, Catalogue of the Coins of the Andhra Dynasty, etc. p. XLVII, No. 6; Luders list 1002; ShG No 42; |
| - raãî Ma[ähariputasa] svàmi-Saka[sånasa] . . . . . . . . divà 10
åtaya . . . . - Fragment. Records the gift of a cave (låía). The following names can be made out: the son of Veíhunadi (Viøíunandin); Hàlaíikà; the venerable (àyyaka) Là . . . ; Dhàmà; Buddhakaya (?). Compare No. 1001 (No.18). |
TEXT.
1. Sadha ra. Ma[ähariputasa Svàmi Sakase-
2. [nasa . . . . . [di]và 10 etàyi
3. . . . . . . . . . . . vaòhaveya Veíhunandiputra-
4. [sa] . . . . . sa bhajàya Hàlaíikà le-
5. [ía patiòhàpita sa]hà Àyyakena. Là . . . sa . . . .
6. . . . . . . vasatena Dhàmaye saha . . . . . .
7. . . . . . Budhakayena sahà vi . . . . . .
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At present some letters are not visible but I have retained the reading of Burgess (ShG).
ASWI read stroke as 6. . . . . . . vasatena Dhàmaye saha . . . . . .