Inscription number 111
Sarnath Asoka Pillar Inscription af Raja Savagnosha.
Probably of the time of Huvishka.
Provenance: Sarnath near Varanasi, UP.
Script: Brahmi of the early Kushana type
Language: Prakrit influenced by Sanskrit.
References: J. Ph. Vogel. Ep.Ind, VIII, Pp-171-72.
Footnote
1. From the facsimiles in Ep.Ind, VIII, Plate between pp.168 and 169 (No ia) For first 6 syllables) and
Plate facing p-176 (No 1-e-) for the rest of the line.
The inscription of Asvaghosha runs in cantinuation of the last half line of Asoka’s edict. But the script
is later than and the writing inferior to that of the preceding Asoka inscription. On the basis of
paiaeography, Vogel bas assigned the Asvaghosha epigraph to the reign of Huvishka and hence the year fortieth to
the era of Kanishka. Asvagnosha’s coins have been found from Kausambi along with Mitra coins. Locally found coins reveal the names of the following rulers of a local dynasty,or dynasties, of Kausambi flourishing in the
flrst century B-C.
Sudeva, Brihatsvatimitra, Asvaghosha,
Parvata, Agnimitra, Jyeshtamitra, Devamitra, Vasumitra,
Suramtra, Radbamdtra, Prajapatimitra, Rajamitra and Vijayamitra. Coins discovered from the adjoining areas
reveal the names of Praushtasri (from Bhita), of Bhadremagha, Sivamagha, Vaisravana and Bhimavarman
(From Fatehpur district) Some unclasified Kausambi coins, in British Museum bear in addition to the names of Vaisravana and Bhimavarman,
probably those of Mulahasta, Dhanadeva and a few others. These rulers have been placed between first century BC and fourth century A.D. 2.
Vogel has suggested the restoration of damaged initial phrase as
the damaged section admits of hardly six syllables, and the phrase must end with which appears over of
Prakrit and Sanskrit
stands for wealthy & prosperous
1. Since the script resembles closely that of early Kushana epigraphs. and the date 40th year mentioned in his other epigraph on sarnath Asoka pillar (see supra no. 111)
which should be in Kanishka era, vogel has fixed him in the time of Huvishka.
2. The fragment of the stone slab bearing this inscription
was discovered by Oertal about 70 ft to the north-east, by east of the Sarnath Vihara.
Text of the inscription
र्परिगेय्हे रझ अव घोषस्य चतरिशे सवछरे हेमत परवे प्रथम दिवसे दसमे
संस्कृत छाया
परियेहये राज्ञः अश्वघोषस्य चत्वारिंश संवत्सरे हेमन्त – पक्षे प्रथमे दिवसे दशमे
हिन्दी अनुवाद
राजा अश्वधोष के सम्पन्न ( राज्य काल ) में, चालीसवें वर्ष की हेमन्त ऋतु
के प्रथम पक्ष के दसवें दिन
English Translation of the inscription
In the prosperous (reign) of king Asvaghosha, in the
fortieth year in the first fortnight of winter, on the tenth day—–
