Sanchi Stone Inscription

Written by Alok Mohan on July 6, 2022. Posted in Uncategorized

Kanakhera (Sanchi) stone Inscription of Sridharavarman:-
Inscription number 145.
Western sataraps had captured & settled in the Sanchi-Vidisha region after defeating the Satavahanas,  during the rule of Rudrasena-2, (255-278 A.D)
A well was constructed by the Saka chief and (dharmaviyagi mahadandanayaka) Sridharavarman, in this region & there’s a mention of the construction work, which was carried out by the Saka chief, in this Inscription.

— Regnal year 13, Saka year 201 (7) (=279 A. D)
Provenance: Kanakhera, near Sanchi, Raison, district, Madhya Pradesh. (now in Sanchi Museum)
Script; Brahmi, South-western variety of 3rd and 4th centuries A.D.
Language: Sanskrit influenced by Prakrit.
Metres: V.I
refasttsa
References: R D. Banerji, EP.Ind, XVI, pp230 ff, N. G. Majumdar, J.A.S.B., New Series’, XIX 1923, pp.337 ff,. Monuments of sanchi, Vol.I, pp.392 ff.:
Vol.III, Pl.cxxxix, V. V. Mirashi, C.I.I. IV,
pp.13 ff,.D.C. Sircar, SeI.Ins, pp.186-87.

From the facsimile in Ep.Ind- XV, Pl.Opp. pp.232 and C.I.I, IV, pp-16,.
Pl IIIA, It is ascribed either to Svami Jivadaman on the basis of erroneous
readings of 1.1, see n.3 below)EP.Ind. Pl is clearer.
There is another Inscription of Sridharavaman from Eran,. dated in his 27th regnal year, recording the
erection of a Yashti or memorial pillar. See Mirashi C.I.I. IV, pp. 604 ff.
2. On the left margin of the inscription, near the beginning of 11.3 and 4.
3. Banerji (Ep.Ind- XVI pp. 230-33) reads
जीवदाय
and identifies him with the father of Kshatrapa Rudra simha

1. Mirashi: महासेन महा कुमारस्य दिव्य Majumdar: सादित्य
Or तेज प्रसादात
Sircar: आदित्य
वियर्याज़जित
After विजय there is space for 15 or 16 letters
But the corner of the stone has broken off, leaving only traces of their bottoms.

1. Banerji. धम्र्म स्त्रा श्रि Majumdar वष्र्ष.
2. Banerji and Majumdar त्रयोदशमे According to
Banerji the date refers to jivadaman’s rule. But the latter never ruled independently. Presumably, beginning
as an official of the Saka rulers of Malva,, he rose to a semi-independent status thou still using his
earlier designation Mahadendanayaka, as did Senapati Pushyamitra before him.
3. Mirashi आकारे प्रतिम
4. Banerji reads मल मत प्य प्रा च्य
Mirashi धम्र्मा भृत शाश्वत प्रणम्य मनसा द्रव्यस्य कृत्वा व्ययं

5. Prakritism for: खानित Note other Prakritisms as in
in 11. 2 and 3 corrected in footnote 3 above, also sapeksha samasa in 11.1.
Text
सिद्धम्
1. भगवतस्त्रिदश-गण-सेनापतेरजित-सेनस्य स्वामि महा सेन (स्य )” महा- भक्त ?  स्य । अदम्य-वीयर्यार्ज्जित विज [ यj – – -न
2. धम्र्म-विजयिना शक-नन्द-पुत्रेण महादण्डनायकेन शकेन श्रीधरव म्र्म णा वर्ष – सह ) स्त्राय’ स्वराज्याभिवृद्धिकरे वेजायिके संवत्सरे त्रयोदश [ मे ] (त्रयोदशे )
3. श्रावण-बहुलस्य दशमी-पूव्र्वकमेतदिदवसं कल्याणाभ्युदय-वृद्धयर्थम-क्षय- स्वग्र्गावाप्ति हेतोर्द्धम्र्म यशसो त्र्थ  धर्मासि (=भि  )
4. शाश्व [ तं ] चन्द्रादित्य- [ कालिको यं आपे  च  का [ न्तः ] –
— प्रसन्न सलिल:  सर्वाधिगम्य सदा
5. सत्त्वाना प्रिर्यदर्शनो जलनिधिर्द्वर्म्मल: [ शाइव ] तः ( 1 ) [र्पण] म्य मनसा [ द्रव्यस्य कृत्वा  व्ययम् ]

English Translation of the inscription

Success!
This well everlasting in time like the
sun and the moon, has been excavated by the Mahadandanayaka Saka Sridhaavraman, the son of Saka Nanda, the righteous Conqueror, who with his indomitable Prowess won, victories, and who is the great devotee of the divine Lord Mahasena (i.e. Karttikeya), the Commander of the celestial
hosts, whose army has never been vanquisned: on this day
(namely) the tenth day of the dark fortnignt of Sravana in the
Victorious thirteenth year augmenting his reign for a thousand
years (being actuated) by faith awakened by his understanding
of the dharma, for the increase of welfare and progress,
attainment of everlasting heaven (and) the acquisition of religious merit and fame. Further:-

This auspicious and beautiful well containing clear water,
at all times accessible to all, with an appearance pleasing to all beings, an inexhaustible reservoir of water and for
ever pure like dharma has been caused to be excavated, by
the meritorious Sridhara varman. having saluted with all his heart
-(and) having spent a large sum of money. The year 201. May there be peace.
Footnote
Use of here and this metre and
Bhujangavijrimbhita in two Mathura records of first century viz EP.Ind,II,
pp200 and IMC, XVII,
485. Prove the developed stage of Prosody and Kavya. Literature in the early centuries of the Christian era,
though Sanskrit had not yet became popular as the language of Official records.
2. Majumdar reads the date
in place of and explains the preceding signs as punctuation marks. V.V. Mirashi reads the date as
102 and refers the year to the Kalachuri era of 248-49 A. D. being 351-52 AD.(I.H.Q., to XXII, pp.40 C.I.I., IV, pp.
15-16) 10 2 Kalachuri would thus is =351-52 A D. The
reading of the date is doubtful; but the use of the Kalachuri era is not expected in the age and area in question according to D.C. Sircar.
though a little lower in the line, however clear.

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.