Mathura Inscriptions

Written by Alok Mohan on June 19, 2022. Posted in Uncategorized

Vasudev belonged to Vrishni or Satvata tribe, and his followers called themselves Bhagavatas.
Vusadeva was the last Kushan emperor. End of his rule coincided with the invasion of the Sassanians as far as northwestern India.

Bhagavata religion had evolved around Vasudeva Krishna belonging to Vrishni clan. There have been several archeological evidences were recovered from various sites at Mathura.
This era witnessed evolution of image worship (Moorti Puja), which was based on scientific concepts of focussing spiritually on physical objects.
Puja of the images of divinities began to replace vedic yajya processes during this period. Early Vedic literature had been absorbed with simple methods of propitiation of Gods.
Rise of these new spiritual awakening ways of worship for the benefit of common people, had led to most important changes in the history of Hinduism.
Hindu civilization therefore witnessed extraordinary development during these evolutionary moments of the history of sanatan dharma. Image-worship and image-making had attained centrality, wherein common people actively participated in religious activities.
This process evolved a broad minded & tolerant faith.
The bhagavata religion that evolved around Vasudeva Krishna fused with the cults of the Vedic Vishnu, the cosmic god Narayana, and the pastoral deity Gopala. As a result of the fusion, Vasudeva Krishna as incarnation of Vishnu, emerged as supreme power.
Concurrently, Vishnu rose to be the most influential member of the triad of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva – Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer.

Mathura, had therefore always been connected with Krishna of the Mahabharata.
The most noteworthy archaeological finds of Mathura are the Vasu doorjamb inscription, the Mora doorjamb, and the Mora well inscription, all dated to the early Common Era, and recovered from the site of Katra Keshavadeva.

Inscription number 103.
Mathura Stone Slab Inscription of the Time of Vasudeva – Year 74.
Provenance: Jail mound, Mathura.
Script: Brahmi.
Language: Mixed Sanskrit and Prakrit.

References: R.L Mitra, J.A.S.B. XXXIX, Pt.I, pp 129, No 15, Dowson, J.R.A.S,
New Series, Vol.V,
pp.183, No- 4, Cunningham, A. S. I.R, III, p-32, No 8: H Luders. Ind.Ant, XXXIII, p-106, No 20, Ep-Ind, IX, Pp- 241-46.
Text of the inscription
1 महाराजस्य रा जातिराज
2 स्व दैव पुत्रस्य वासु देवस्य
3 संवत्सरे 70+4 वर्ष मा
4 ते प्रथमे दिवसे
5. त्रि ग 30 अस्यं पुव्व्रयं
6 तलक्रिय महदाण्ड
7 नायकस्य वा
8 लिनस्य क् षे त्रे विहि महादंड

1. From the facsimile in Ep Ind, Vol.IX, Pl. facing p242. This is the only impression available now. In some
places, it has been tampered with by pencilling out parts of letters that in the impression itself are
more or less effected. The original stone is lost, as noted by Cunningham.
English Translation of the inscription
In the year 74 of the Maharaja Rajatiraja Devaputra Vasudeva. In the first month of the rainy season, on the thirtieth–30th-day. On that date specified as above in the field of the great General valina at Telakiya.
The faint traces are totally illegible. Luders restored the reading entirely
on the authority of Capt.V Vatts eye-copy. There is a gap of about
two lines before these traces, which form the bottom line of the Facsimile. I have numbered this line as X.
2. Luders
104. Mathura Image Inscription of the time of Vasudeva – (Saka) Year 80 (A D 158)
Provenance: Kankali Tila, Mathura, U.P.
Script: Brahmi
Language: Prakrit influenced by Sanskrit
References: Buhler, Ep.Ind, I, p 392, No 24, Luders, List, No. 66, R. D. Banerji, Ep.ind, X, pp116,
No. 10, DC. sircar, Sel-Inss, pp162,
NO 57.

English Translation of the inscription

Success In the year 80 the 1st month of winter, the 12th day of the Maharaja Vasudeva, on that (date
specified as) above. the daughter of the lay desciple Sanakadasa,
the daughter in law of samghatithi,
the mother of Bala ——–
Text of the inscription
सिथ महाराजस्य वासुदेवस्य सं 80 हमव =हमत 1 दि 10+2 एतस पुव यां सनक दसस
2. धि त्र संघ तिथित वधुये वतस्य

1. From the facsimile in Ep-Ind, I, Pl. No. 24. On Ep.Ind X, Pls. VII and VIII, of the image the inscription is not legible.
2. Buhler हण Banerjee हमव which stands for हमत a superfluous line joining the base of त through the carelessness of the engraver converted it to व

3. Banerji sa (va) ko Sircar सनक (दसस)
4. Buhler धितु संघ नधि (स्व) which is = skt संघनिधि
R D Baner ji. Ep- Ind, X, pp-117 संघनाधि

Alok Mohan

The admin, Alok Mohan, is a graduate mechanical engineer & possess following post graduate specializations:- M Tech Mechanical Engineering Production Engineering Marine engineering Aeronautical Engineering Computer Sciences Software Engineering Specialization He has authored several articles/papers, which are published in various websites & books. Studium Press India Ltd has published one of his latest contributions “Standardization of Education” as a senior author in a book along with many other famous writers of international repute. Alok Mohan has held important positions in both Govt & Private organisations as a Senior professional & as an Engineer & possess close to four decades accomplished experience. As an aeronautical engineer, he ensured accident incident free flying. As leader of indian team during early 1990s, he had successfully ensured smooth induction of Chukar III PTA with Indian navy as well as conduct of operational training. As an aeronautical engineer, he was instrumental in establishing major aircraft maintenance & repair facilities. He is a QMS, EMS & HSE consultant. He provides consultancy to business organisations for implimentation of the requirements of ISO 45001 OH & S, ISO 14001 EMS & ISO 9001 QMS, AS 9100, AS9120 Aero Space Standards. He is a qualified ISO 9001 QMS, ISO 14001 EMS, ISO 45001 OH & S Lead Auditor (CQI/IRCA recognised certification courses) & HSE Consultant. He is a qualified Zed Master Trainer & Zed Assessor. He has thorough knowledge of six sigma quality concepts & has also been awarded industry 4, certificate from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation Knowledge Hub Training Platform  He is a Trainer, a Counselor, an Advisor and a Competent professional of cross functional exposures. He has successfully implimented requirements of various international management system standards in several organizations. He is a dedicated technocrat with expertise in Quality Assurance & Quality Control, Facility Management, General Administration, Marketing, Security, Training, Administration etc. He is a graduate mechanical engineer with specialization in aeronautical engineering. He is always eager to be involved in imparting training, implementing new ideas and improving existing processes by utilizing his vast experience.