Pikra Copper-plate Inscription of Simha-varman 3. Regnal Year 5.
Script: Brahmi.
Language: Sanskrit.
we have many Sanskrit inscriptions, of Pallava dynasty. For example Omgodu Plates, Pikira Plates, Mangalur Plates, Vilavetti Plates, Uruvappalli Plates, Nedungaraya Plates, Vesanta Plates, Sakrepatna Plates.
From these plates, we get following genealogy:
Kumarvishnu -Skandavarman-Viravarman- Vijaya-Skandavarman -Yuva-maharaja Vishnugopavarman – Simhavarman – Skandavarman – Nandivarman
Jaina work Lokavibhaga refers to 22nd regnal year of Simhavarman, the lord of Kanchi, as corresponding to 380 Saka.
Provenance: Village Nelatur, in Ongole taluk, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh.
It formed unclaimed property of a
dead Bairagi. (Now in central Museum, Madras).
Metres: VV..1-3 श्लोक ( अनुष्टुब )
References: E. Hultzsch, Ep.Ind. VII, pp.159-63.
Footnote 1.
Several branches of the Pallavas are known, to wit those of Kanchi and those of Nellore Guntur region.
Mutual relationship of these branches is not known. Many names occur
again and again , not only in one branch, but also in other cognate branches, leading to considerable confusion The present grant was issued by simha-varman of Nellore-Guntur region.
This branch ruled from 375 to 585 AD. The kings of this branch: known are: Virakurchavarman, Kumaravishnu, Skandavarman 1,
Vira-varman 1, Skandavarman 2. Vishnugopavarman I
smhayarman (the present donor and Vishnugopavarman 1, Simhavarman
the present donor and Vishnugopavarman 1,
For further information on Pallavas, see D.C. Sircar Geneology and chronology of the Pallavas, the classical Age,
(History & Culture of Indian People, Vol.3, pp.275-83).
2. From the facsimile ia Ep.Ind.. VIII, (between pp.160-61).
Second Plate Second Side.
Footnote 2.
1. The first, the second plate second side and the fourth plate second side, are numbered respectively 1, 2& 4, on the left margin.
2. Expressed by a symbol.
3. First engraved पोबनत and then corrected to पोपनत
4. On the left margin.
Third Plate Second Side.
Footnote 3.
From अपचि or अपचाय to respect to worship. Hultzsch’ s
emendation, वृद्धोपचायिनो is unnecessary.
A superfluous stroke like medial a is attached to the right of ma and of दर्दो Read साहसावमर्द्धो
3. Hultzsch emends it to वल्लभ
and translates the phrase as to the general overseers (sarvadhyaksha), the
favourites (vallabha) and the official messengers (sasanasamcharin) who are appointed to this (district). But वल्लभ or वल्लव, here stands or superintendents or chiefs of cowherds. (See Apte’s Sanskrit & English Dictionary).
Fifth Plate.
Footnote 4.
1. Here follows an unknown symbol. It may be a flourish designed to fill up the gap at the end of the line, suggests Hultzsch,
2. on the left margin.
3. Corrected by the engraver from अर्हति.
English Translation of the inscription.
Om ! Victory to the lord ! Hail from the prosperous camp of victory pitched at Menmatura, the great grandson of the
glorious Maharaja Viravarman, the only hero on the surface of the
earth, of unassessable personality, who stood by the established
order, who had established, according to the sacred law, all the ethical standards, who was the store-house of mighty radiation of a Kshatriya that he had acquired with the prowess of his own arms and who was extremely devoted to the Brahmanas, the
grandson of the great soul, the glorious Maharaja Skandavarman,
who was among the Iokapalas, the fifth Lokapala, who was capable protector of is subjects, who had collected increased merit by gifting away many cows, gold, land etc.. who had brought about all the blessings through devotion to the Lord and through
virtuous thoughts, to whom the circle of kings had bent down, because of his valour, who was endowed with augmented power and success (and) the son of the truthful Yuvamaharaja, the illustrious Vishnugopa, who was resplendent with the fame of
victories won in daring engagements in many wars, who was the worshipper of gods, brahmanas, teachers and the old and whose humility had thereby increased, who was ever ready to rescue dharma (virtue) sunk because of the depravities of the
Kaliyuga the righteous Maharaja (of afore-listed pedigree) .
the illustrious simha-varman, whose heroism is worth emulation,
who is desirous of winning all the collections of virtues of royal sages, who is desirous of victories of piety, who meditates on the feet of the Lord Bhagavat, who is devoted to
the feet of the lord (his) father, the fervent Bhagavata, the Bharadvaja, (of the family) of the Pallavas, who are the abodes of the fortunes of other kings overcome by their own valour
and who have performed according to rule many horse-sacrifices,
addresses (the following) order to the villagers in the village called, Pikira in Munda rashtra, to the official at this place and to all the supervisors, the cowherd-chiefs and the official
messengers “This village has been given by us, having made (it
a Brahmadeya to vilasasarman of the Kasyapa gotra and of the Taittiriya (sakha) accompanied by all immunities, with the exception of the cultivated land enjoyed by gods (i.e.
temples) for the increase of our length of life, power and victory on the third tithi of the bright fortnight of
Asvayuja in the fifth year of our reign of growing victory.
Therefore this village must be exempted and caused to be
exempted with all immunities. And he who will transgress this our edict that wicked man is liable to corporal punishment
And with reference to this there are also (the following)
verses of the Rishi (viz. Vyasa)
(Here follow three customary verses)