BESTOW

It was given with ablutions; it has been enjoyed three times; it has been protected by noble men: these acts of the kings of olden days never cease.

Hopkins 1885: 245 quoted this verse as an usual one. Lévi 1908: 122 quotes this stanza as the second in his list. Kane 1941: 1274 attributes the number 22 to this stanza.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions :

• IN01036 = INSSiddham01036 = Bannahaḷḷi Grant of Kr̥ṣṇavarman II, Year 7, reference already mentioned by Lévi 1908: 122, Kane 1941: 1274
• IN01055 = INSSiddham01055 = Halsi Grant of Ravivarman (5 plates), lines 26-27, reference already mentioned by Lévi 1908: 122 (reference quoted by Sircar 1965: note 1, 176)
• IN01026 = INSSiddham01026 = Devagiri Grant of Devavarman, line 11
• IN01031 = INSSiddham01031 = Dāvaṇagere Grant of Ravivarman, Year 34 line 24
• IN01032 = INSSiddham01032 = Kasipura Grant of Ravivarman line 15
• IA5_138-140 = The Mallohalli grant of Durvinītakoṅgaṇi 35th royal year, IA vol5 1876 p.138-140 (the stanza ends the grant. It is preceded by best_0132_03, best_0023 and best_0135 and is introduced by Apicātra manugīto śloko

The sun and the moon, the wind and the fire, the sky, the earth, the waters, the heart and the spirit, and the day, and the night, and the two twilights, know man's deeds, [the act] of dharma.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

This verse is found in the following testimonies:

• EC03Sr157 = Copper Plate at Melukoṭe (Rice 1894: 84)
• On a copper plate at Kaṭṭepura,

Like the sun in the sky, they shine with energy, the men who offer earth for [sustaining] a fire established by a brahmin.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• EI25_21 = Puruṣottampurī Plates of Rāmacandra, śaka 1232, line 122-123 (already mentioned by Sircar 1965.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Āditya, Varuṇa, Viṣṇu, Brahmā, Soma, Hutāśana, Śulpāṇis and the Lord rejoice the land-giver.

This verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 123, № 4. Hultzsch 1912 underlines the presence of this verse in the Mahābhārata 13.61.45. The source quoted by him is Satalma plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 8, verse X lines 33-34. Sircar 1965: 177 attributes to this verse the number 4 but he suggests the reading pratinandanti in the pāda d (instead of abhinandanti), which seems to be based on the Mahābhārata's critical edition.

I am restoring the variant readable in the epigraphic sources, i.e. abhinandanti (as of 21 March 2025, I have found no occurrence of pratinandanti in the DHARMA database, which then had 3510 entries). The reading abhinandanti is also found in the Dānasāgara of Ballālasena (Bhattacharya 1953: 316, verse 6) and is ascribed here to the Dānabṛhaspati.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• INSSomavamsin00008 =Satalma plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 8 (already mentioned by Sircar 1965
• INSSomavamsin00017 =Orissa State Museum plates of Mahāśivagupta Yayāti year 4
• INSSomavamsin00019 =Cuttack plates of Mahābhavagupta Bhīmaratha year 3
• INSSomavamsin00023 =Cuttack plates of Mahāśivagupta Yayāti year 9
• INSSomavamsin00040 =Baragaon plates of the time of Janamejaya year 13
• INSSomavamsin00039 =Ruchida plates of Mahābhavagupta year 8
• INSSomavamsin00006 =Patna plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya Kārttika month year 6
• INSSomavamsin00013 =Banpur plates of Indraratha year 6
• INSSomavamsin00004 =Gopalpur plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 12
• INSSomavamsin00010 =Gaintala plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 17
• INSSomavamsin00035 =A Stray Plate of a Somavaṁśin or Telugu-Coḍa Grant from Kelga
• INSSomavamsin00026 =Kudopali plates of the time of Mahābhavagupta year 13
• INSSomavamsin00022 =Pāṭṇā plates of Mahāśivagupta Yayāti year 8
• INSSomavamsin00001 =Vakratentalī grant of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya, Year 3
• INSBengalCharters00039 =Raktamālā Grant no. 1, year 159 GE

Anuṣṭubh

Yama, Varuṇa, Vāyu, Śakra, Śukra, Br̥haspati, Candra, Āditya and the Grahas: they all rejoice in one who gives land!

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

This stanza (not noticed by Sircar 1965) is quoted in Raktamālā Grant no. 1, year 159 (see Griffiths 2015).

Gold is Agni's first born son, Earth Viṣṇu's wife and cows Sun's daughters; the one who gives gold, cows and land, the worlds belongs to him by these three kinds of gifts.

This verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 122, № 1. Pargiter 1912: 252 mentioned this verse as a customary one. This verse corresponds to the number 5 in the list compiled by Kane 1941: 1272–1277. Sircar 1965: 177 quotes this verse.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions :

• Satalma plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 8 verse 5 (with an inversion of the pādas c and d)
• Boṇḍā Plates of Tīvaradeva, Year 5, not quoted by Sircar 1965 while he uses this reference for best_0030

O king, even after offering sacrifices such as the Agniṣṭoma etc, whose fees are substantial, one does not obtain the fruit (obtained) after giving earth.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Puruṣottampurī Plates of Rāmacandra, śaka 1232 (Mirashi 1939–1940, reference quoted by Sircar 1965)

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

See best_0006_01.

Even after offering sacrifices such as the Agniṣṭoma etc, with substantial fees, one does not obtain the fruit (obtained) after giving earth.

Sircar 1965 mentioned this variation of best_0006 with this bibliographical reference : Fleet 1885: page 319, lines 108–109.

Alas, o son of Raghu, the best of kings, during a life of seven kalpa I can’t see or hear the man who steals the gift for his own purpose.

Taxing a tax-exempt land is equal to the slaughter of ten million cows, but exempting a taxable resource from taxes allows us to reach the ultimate goal.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

The confiscator of a land grant (will become) blind for twelve births, a hog for ten births (and) a leper for thousands of births.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

This verse can be read in the inscriptions numbered 2, 11, 20, 27, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43, 63, 64, 78, 79 edited by Chhabra 1957: appendix A, 177

Even a dog, though a consumer of the vomit of others, does not eat its own puke. The villain who revokes his own gift is more miserable than a dog.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See Kaṇḍyam plates of Dānārṇava (see Narasimham 1937–1938)

Having considered that the fortune is as transient as a drop of water on a lotus petal, and having thought that all is an illustration, let the glorious acts made by others not be destroyed.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

The content of this stanza is close to best_0071. An occurrence of this stanza is found in Antirigam plates of Jaya-Bhanja-Deva (EI19_5 = Rath 1927–1928, reference given by Sircar 1965: note 2, 178).

Anyone who is enriched by a gift that comes from someone else, or even from another gotra, is tainted with the great sins.

Sin committed in a foreign field disappears in a sacred field. Sin committed in a sacred field remains as a sticking plaster.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Amongst the sins committed in the past and in the future, [there are the cases when] the earth has been taken in an improper manner or taken in a good way has been stolen : [in both these cases] one burns during seven generations.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Kāsipura Grant of Ravivarman line 16 with variations in pāda c

The one who has stolen what was given to his relatives is the worst and the most malevolent: as a dog, he will eat the vomits of others instead his own.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

The slayer of a cow or of a Brahman may perchance find atonement in the Ganges and other holy places; but in the case of appropriation of the possessions of gods and Brahmans there can be no atonement for men.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Inscription A of the time of the Ratta Prince Kartavirya IV, AD 1204, from Belgaum, now in the Bristish Museum Barnett 1915–1916 (reference given by Sircar 1965: 178
• Gadag Inscription of Vira-Ballala II, śaka samvat 1114, lines 51-52 Lüders 1900–1901 (reference not given by Sircar 1965)

Kane 1941: 1274 attributes the number 20 to this stanza

Whoever gives to a vipra even a small piece of land in his possession is honoured in heaven for sixty thousand years.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See Bendigeri plates of the Yadava king Krishna (Indian Antiquary, volume 14, 1885, p.68-75, lines 106-107).

The man who protects the support given to a noble saṅgha, having obtained the heaven, rejoices [there] with a divine soul for millions kalpas.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• EI28_13 = Hiregutti Plates of Bhoja Aśaṁkita (Desai 1949–1950, reference given by Sircar 1965)

In his introduction, Sircar 1965: note 3, 174–175 classifies this stanza as not a quotation but a stanza composed by a court poet.

Even in the unfit saṁsāra, protecting the glorious deeds made by another or by ourselves gives the double fruit in this life.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See EI19_5 = Antirigam plates of Jaya-Bhanja-Deva (Rath 1927–1928, reference given by Sircar 1965).

This gift should be approved by those who proclaim the excellent order of our family and by others; fortune is as shaky as a drop of glistening water, so giving is the fruit that protects glory in the hereafter.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Benares Copper-plate Grant of Govindracandra of Kanauj Saṁvat 1162, lines 20-21 (introduced by the sentence atrātha paurāṇikāḥ ślokāḥ).
• Nalanda Plate of Devapāla, year 35, vers XX lines 48-49
• EI1_11 = The Madhuban Copper-Plate of Harsha Dated Samvat 25, line 16 (Bühler 1892

Kane 1941: 1276 attributes the number 31 to this stanza in his list with the following reading (pāda b):

Vasantatilakā

The Fathers are applauding and the Grand-Fathers are hopping up and down [when they can say] ‘A giver of land is born within our lineage, sure, he will deliver us!'

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

A slight variation in the pāda d can be read in Mallasarul Charter of Vijayasena, time of Gopacandra year 3 lines 20-21 verse 6:

Anuṣṭubh

A slight variation in the pāda c can be read in Malgā Plates of Indrabala, Year 11 lines 24-25 (= Malgā plates of Sāmanta Indrarāja, Sircar and Sankaranarayanan 1959–1960)

Anuṣṭubh

This verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 123, № 5. Pargiter 1912: 252 mentioned this verse as a customary one. Kane 1941: 1273 attributes the number 11 to this stanza in his list. Sircar 1965: 179 quotes this verse.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions :

• Satalma plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 8 verse 6 (with a slight variation in pāda c bhūmidātā instead of bhūmido 'smat).

The fruit of thousand horse-sacrifices, that of thousand Vājapeya sacrifices, and of thousand solemn sacrifices of the soma pauṇḍarika are worth half that of a gift of land.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See The Baudh Grant of Raṇabhañjadeva, the 54th year, lines 26-27 (Banerji 1913–1914, reference given by Sircar 1965).

The long life, sons, the wealth, the felicity, the happiness, an indestructible royalty, the supremacy, the glory and the heaven, it is what is obtained by a land-giver.

Land has been given by several kings beginning with Sagara. Whoever holds land at a given time, to him does the fruit belong.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

A variation of the pāda b can be read in Vēḷvikkuṭi grant, time of Neṭuñcaṭaiyaṉ, year 3 verse XXIII (in his note 2 p.180 Sircar 1965 silently emends ca narādhipaiḥ):

Anuṣṭubh

A variation of the padā b can be read in Kalaikuri-Sultanpur Plate of the Time of Kumāragupta I verse IV lines 32-33 (already quoted by Sircar 1965: note 2, 180):

Anuṣṭubh

A variation of the pāda b (not quoted by Sircar 1965) can be read in Copper plates from Kānukollu — reign of Skandavarman, year 1, one the the earliest plates of the Śālaṅkāya dynasty which are in prakrit language except for this final stanza:

Anuṣṭubh

This verse is already quoted as an usual one by Hopkins 1885: 244. It was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 124, № 11, who had already noticed that it was one of the most commonly quoted verses, found throughout the Indian sub-continent and even beyond, in Nepal for example. Pargiter 1912: 249 mentioned this verse as a customary one. This verse corresponds to the number 1 in the list of forty-three customary stanzas compiled by Kane 1941: 1271–1277. He edits this one with the reading dattā instead of bhuktā (pāda a). In his note 1, he offers a lot of epigraphic quotations of this verse and the following references: PadmaPurāṇa, VI, 33, 26-27; BhaviṣyaPurāṇa, IV, 164, 22 (with bhuktā, for dattā); Br̥haspatisaṁhitā, verse 26; Vr̥ddha-Gautama, according to Aparārka.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Benares Copper-plate Grant of Govindracandra of Kanauj Saṁvat 1162, lines 19-20 (introduced by the sentence atrātha paurāṇikāḥ ślokāḥ).
• Copper plates of Kṛṣṇa-deva Temple at Toṇḍanūr (Tirumalasāgara-chatra hobli)

• See Satalma plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 8 verse 2 (with dattā instead of bhuktā in padā a

• Malgā Plates of Indrabala, Year 11 lines 19-20
• Boṇḍā Plates of Tīvaradeva, Year 5, not quoted by Sircar 1965 while he uses this reference for best_0030
• Copper plates from Godavari district (set I) — reign of Pṛthivīśrīmūla, year 25 (period 400-600 CE, Andhra Pradesh) with bahubhiś cānupālitā in pāda b
• CCopper plates from Godavari district (set II) — reign of Pr̥thivīśrīmūla (period 400-600 CE, Andhra Pradesh) with bahubhiś cānupālitā in pāda b
• Copper plates from Kondavidu (set I) — reign of Pr̥thivīśrīmūla, year 25 (period 400-600 CE, Andhra Pradesh) with bahubhiś cānupālitā in pāda b
• Copper plates from Kondavidu (set II) — reign of Pr̥thivīśrīmūla, year 43 (period 400-600 CE, Andhra Pradesh) with bahubhiś cānupālitā in pāda b
• Copper plates from Kondavidu (set III) — reign of Pr̥thivīśrīmūla, year 43 (period 400-600 CE, Andhra Pradesh) with bahubhiś cānupālitā in pāda b

This land has been given again and again by hundreds of kings; whoever holds land at a given time, to him does the fruit belong.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• BengalCharters00034 = Jagadispur Charter of the Time of Kumāragupta I lines 26-27
• BengalCharters00084 = Mallasarul Plate of Vijayasena, time of Gopacandra, year 3
• Siddham00134 = Kotalipada Charter of the Time of Dvādaśāditya, lines 30-31

Numerous kings have been and are giving land again and again. Whoever holds land at a given time, to him does the fruit belong.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Paharpur Charter of the Time of Budhagupta lines 23-24

Kings disappear with time, but the earth remains. So be it! Whoever enjoys (the earth), when he enjoys (it), obtains the fruit.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

Jodhpur Fragmentary Grant of Simharaja, Vikrama 1054 (1 plate), lines 9-10 (see Chhabra 1964–1965, already mentioned by Sircar 1965)

Kings disappear with time, but the earth remains. So be it! Whoever enjoys (the earth), when he enjoys (it), obtains the fruit.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

Ekallahāra Grant of Trilochanapāla, śaka 972, lines 49-50 (see Sircar 1965–1966, already mentioned by Sircar 1965)

Even if land has been given by respectable kings beginning with Manu, whoever holds land at a given time, to him does the fruit belong.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

Hiregutti Plates of Bhoja Aśaṁkita (Desai 1949–1950, already quoted by Sircar 1965: note 2, 180).

What can I say? Here is a summary : health is short and wealth instable, but dharma remains in the two worlds.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

This stanza becomes a dynastic stanza specifically used by the Bhaumakara kings since the Neulpur Plate of Śubhākara year 30. See the following inscriptions:

• Neulpur Plate of Śubhākara II, year 30, line 33 (Tripathy 2000: № 4, 110–115)
• Terundia Plate of Śubhākara III, year 100, lines 25-26 (Tripathy 2000: № 7, 120–124)
• Hindol Plate of Śubhākara IV, year 103, line 28 (Tripathy 2000: № 8, 125–130)
• Dharakote Plate of Śubhākara IV, year 103, lines 28-29 (Tripathy 2000: № 9, 131–134)
• Talcher Plate of Śivakara IV, year 149, line 33 (Tripathy 2000: № 11, 140–146)
• Talcher Plate of Śivakara IV, year 149, lines 33-34 (Tripathy 2000: № 12, 147–153)
• Baud Grant of Tribhuvanamahādevī, year 158, line 39 (Tripathy 2000: № 13, 154–160)
• Baud Grant of Tribhuvanamahādevī, year 158, lines 39-40 (Tripathy 2000: № 14, 161–166)
• Dhenkanal Grant of Tribhuvanamahādevī, year 160, line 37 (Tripathy 2000: № 15, 167–172)
• Arabala Grant of Daṇḍimahādevī, year 183, lines 38-39 (Tripathy 2000: № 19, 191–196)
• Kumurang Grant of Daṇḍimahādevī, year 187, line 39 (Tripathy 2000: № 20, 197–202)
• A Grant of Vakulamahādevī, year 204, lines 42-43 (Tripathy 2000: № 21, 203–209)
• Angul Copper-Plate Grant of Dharmamahādevī, lines 28-29 (Tripathy 2000: № 22, 210–215)

Among the best sacrificial vessels, among the best holy places, among the best occasions, may the earth-gift be a way out of the infinite and deep ocean of rebirth !

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See A Copper-Plate Grant of Mummuniraja; Saka 971 (1049 CE) (Upadhyaya 1939–1940, reference given by Sircar 1965).

Kane 1941: 1277 attributes the number 40 with the following reading (pāda b) found in Samgamner Copper-plate Inscription of the Yadava Bhillama II, the śaka year 922 (Kielhorn 1894: 219:

Anuṣṭubh

In this world, there is no gift such as the gift of land. The land-giver obtains all his desires.

Kane 1941: 1274 attributes the number 18 to this stanza.

The pure ones who will offer a land, who will order a land-gift and who will protect it, all these men go to heaven.

There has never been and will never be a gift superior to the gift of land, nor has there ever been or will ever be a sin [superior] to the seizing of the same.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

The following variation of the stanza can be read in Antirigam plates of Jaya-Bhanja-Deva (see lines 25-26, Rath 1927–1928: 45):

Anuṣṭubh

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Cendalūra grant, time of Kumāraviṣṇu, year 2 (Hultzsch 1905–1906 is the reference given by Hultzsch 1905–1906)
• Copper plates from Godavari district (set II) — reign of Pr̥thivīśrīmūla, lines 27-30 (period 400-600 CE, Andhra Pradesh)
• Copper plates from Kondavidu (set II) — reign of Pr̥thivīśrīmūla, year 43, lines 26-27 (period 400-600 CE, Andhra Pradesh)
• Copper plates from Kondavidu (set III) — reign of Pr̥thivīśrīmūla, year 43, lines 23-24 (period 400-600 CE, Andhra Pradesh)

This verse was already quoted as an usual one by Hopkins 1885: 244. It was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 125, № 14. Kane 1941: 1275 attributes the number 25 to this stanza.

The one who receives a land and the one who offers a land, both of them are men with meritorious deeds who are surely going to heaven.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

This verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 125, № 13. Kane 1941: 1274 attributes the number 15 to this stanza in his list.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Benares Copper-plate Grant of Govindracandra of Kanauj Saṁvat 1162, line 18 (introduced by the sentence atrātha paurāṇikāḥ ślokāḥ).
• Satalma plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 8 verse 7
• Plate of Govindracandra of Vikrama-saṁvat 1182 see Kielhorn 1896–1897: № A, 99–101

The givers of earth rejoice in heaven, and alas, they fall, the lords who steal the earth, vile men, into the hell. Having observed this double and balancing fortune, may you work for the longevity desired by his Majesty !

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

This verse is quoted in the following inscriptions :

• Boṇḍā Plates of Tīvaradeva, Year 5, example given by Sircar 1965: note 2, 181
• DaksinaKosala00025 = Boṇḍā Plates of Tīvaradeva, Year 5
• DaksinaKosala00026 = Rājim Plates of Tīvaradeva, Year 7
• DaksinaKosala00027 = Sirpur Plates of Tīvaradeva, Year 7
• DaksinaKosala00028 = Baloda Plates of Tīvaradeva, Year 9
• DaksinaKosala00029 = Aḍbhār Plates of Nannarāja II, undated, example given by Sircar 1965: note 2, 181
• DaksinaKosala00031 = Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 6
• INSDaksinaKosala00032 = Malhār Plates of Śivagupta, undated (presumably year 6)
• INSDaksinaKosala00033 = Bārdūlā Plates of Śivagupta, Year 9
• INSDaksinaKosala00034 = Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 11
• INSDaksinaKosala00035 = Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 19
• INSDaksinaKosala00036 = Boṇḍā Plates of Śivagupta, Year 22
• INSDaksinaKosala00037 = Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 37
• INSDaksinaKosala00038 = Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 38
• INSDaksinaKosala00039 = Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 46
• INSDaksinaKosala00040 = Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 48
• INSDaksinaKosala00041 = Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, undated (presumably year 48 or later)
• INSDaksinaKosala00042 = Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 52
• INSDaksinaKosala00043 = Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 55
• INSDaksinaKosala00044 = Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, undated (presumably year 55 or later)
• INSDaksinaKosala00046 = Lodhiā Plates of Śivagupta, Year 57
• INSDaksinaKosala00047 = Junvānī Plates of Śivagupta, Year 57
• INSDaksinaKosala00050 = Malhār Plates of Śivagupta, undated
• INSDaksinaKosala00051 = Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, undated

In his introduction, Sircar 1965: note 3, 174–175 classifies this stanza as not a quotation but a stanza composed by a court poet.

There is no better gift than the gift of earth and the preservation is better than the gift. By protecting the very well-granted earth all the kings starting with Nr̥ga have reached the triple heaven.

This verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 125, № 15. Kane 1941: 1274 attributes the number 17 to this stanza.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Khoh Charter of Saṁkṣobha, year 209, stance IV lines 22-23, already mentioned by Lévi 1908: page 125, № 15 and thereafter Sircar 1965.

The man who enjoys the property of a Brahmin through (a breach of ) trust, he burns his family to the seventh generation and the man who enjoy it by force, (burns) ten ancestors and ten descendants !

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

A variation of this stanza can be read in Kāsipura Grant of Ravivarman, line 19 (not mentioned by Sircar 1965:

Anuṣṭubh

The Vehicles and forces maintained with the wealth misappropriated from the brahmins break down at the time of battle like bunds made of sand.

Don’t think about the property of a brahmin, even if his vital breath is gone to his throat ! All the things burnt by fire grow up (again) but one thing burnt by a brahmin never grows again!

This verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 124, № 12

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the verse IX, lines 30-32 of Sātārā plates of Viṣṇuvardhana I, already mentioned by Lévi 1908: page 124, № 12.

Unsteady is the Whealth, as well as are the breaths and the youth of the life; indeed within the moving to and from saṁsāra the only firm thing is dharma.

Prosperity is unsteady, youth is shattered in an instant, life is a step away from death, yet this counts for little when it comes to achievement in the next world. Alas, the behaviour of men is astonishing!

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• EI32_5_2 = Grant of Vijjala śaka 969, lines 9-11 (Sircar 1957–1958: 70, reference quoted by Sircar 1965)

Thus, the Moon and the Sun, the Earth, the enligthening Sky, the Wind, the Stars as well the Fire, along with the king of dharma (Yama),

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

the three twilights, the three Vedas, the triad Gods, the three fires, ah ! during the night, all of these are known as the witnesses of the gift!

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

The purāṇas whose wisdom is undoubtful, tell that what is born from the protection is really superior to the gift, it is the best dharmic act among the dharmic ones! Hence, may that the earth be given to a twice born knowing the śruti and born in a very pious lineage and may your unique thought be to protect it !

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

This verse is found in the following inscriptions:

• Malhār Plates of Jayarāja, Year 5, verse 1
• Āraṅg Plates of Jayarāja, Year 5
• Malhār Plates of Jayarāja, Year 9, verse 1
• Nahna Plates of Sudevarāja, Year 2
• Dhamatari Plates of Sudevarāja, Year 3
• Sirpur Plates of Sudevarāja, Year 7, verse 1
• Āraṅg Plates of Sudevarāja, Year 7, verse 1
• Kauvatal Plates of Sudevarāja, Year 7, verse 1, lines 2v1-2v4
• Raipur Plates of Sudevarāja, Year 10
• Sāraṅgarh Plates of Sudevarāja (incomplete), verse 1
• Ṭhākurdīya Plates of Pravararāja, Year 3, verse 1
• Malhār Plates of Pravararāja, Year 3, verse 1
• Stray Pokhra Plate of the Kings of Śarabhapura, undated

Although Sircar 1965: note 3, 174 mentioned the existence of stanzas composed by court poets in his introduction, he did not notice that this was probably the case for this stanza. Indeed, based on my current research, it seems that it has been only used in records issued by three kings from the same dynasty: Jayarāja, Sudevarāja and Pravararāja. In these testimonies, the stanza is attributed to the king himself and could be seen as a dynastic stanza.

Bliss and misfortune are both the fruit of the gift and the protection. What's the point? After having left the sky, one falls again in the hell.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

The variation rakṣāpālanayos seems to give a better meaning :

Anuṣṭubh

Fortune and misfortune are truly the fruit of protecting and not protecting [the land]; who then discards heaven and resorts to hell? (translation Bosma N.)

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Aḍbhār Plates of Nannarāja II, undated, lines 24-25, example given by Sircar 1965: note 6, 182
• Copper plates of Kṛṣṇa-deva Temple at Toṇḍanūr (Tirumalasāgara-chatra hobli)
• Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 11 with a slight variation in pāda a: rakṣāpālanayos
• Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 19 with a slight variation in pāda a: rakṣāpālanayos
• Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 37 with a slight variation in pāda a: rakṣāpālanayos
• Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 38 with a slight variation in pāda a: rakṣāpālanayos
• Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 46 with a slight variation in pāda a: rakṣāpālanayos
• Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 48 with a slight variation in pāda a: rakṣāpālanayos
• Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 52 with a slight variation in pāda a: rakṣāpālanayos
• Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 55 with a slight variation in pāda a: rakṣāpālanayos
• Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, Year 6 with a slight variation in pāda a: rakṣāpālanayos
• Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, undated (presumably year 48 or later) with a slight variation in pāda a: rakṣāpālanayos
• Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, undated (presumably year 55 or later) with a slight variation in pāda a: rakṣāpālanayos
• Sirpur Plates of Śivagupta, undated with a slight variation in pāda a: rakṣāpālanayos
• Boṇḍā Plates of Tīvaradeva, Year 5, not quoted by Sircar 1965 while he quotes this reference for best_0030

Between gift and preservation, preservation is better than gift : by gift one obtains Heaven but by preservation one never falls again.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

This stanza can be read in:

• A copper plate at Kaṭṭepura (Rice 1914: № 11, Epigraphia Carnatica volume 1, n° 11)
• Puruṣottampurī Plates of Rāmacandra, śaka 1232, Mirashi 1939–1940
• Copper plates of Kṛṣṇa-deva Temple at Toṇḍanūr (Tirumalasāgara-chatra hobli) (Rice 1894: 50)
• Copper Plate at Melukoṭe, Rice 1894: 84
• Cīrkāḻi, Brahmapurīśvara, Śaka 1410Veluppillai 2013: pages 228–233, № 20
• Arappākkam, time of Sadāśiva Deva Mahārāya, Śaka year 1488, Hultzsch 1890: pages 69–71, № 43
• Ariyūr, time of Sadāśiva Deva Mahārāya, Śaka year 1488, Hultzsch 1890: page 71, № 44
• Ariyūr, time of Sadāśiva Deva Mahārāya, Śaka year 1488, Hultzsch 1890: page 71, № 45
• Catupperi, time of Sadāśiva Deva Mahārāya, Śaka year 1488, Hultzsch 1890: page 71, № 46
• Pirāṉmalai, Maṅkai Pākar, time of Accutatēvamahārāya, Śaka year 1452, Vijayavenugopal 2022: № 55, 133–135
• Pirāṉmalai, Maṅkai Pākar, time of Naraciṅkarāya, Śaka year 1422 , Subrahmanya Aiyer 1937: № 439, 229–230, Vijayavenugopal 2022: № 46, 109–110

Sircar 1965: page 182, note 6 mentions this stanza as a variation of best_0040. The bibliographic references given are Ep. Carn., Vol. VIII, Tl. No. 73; Ep. Carn., Vol. II, Nos., 253, 327; Vol. III, My. Nos. 7, 32;Ep. Ind., Vol. XIV, p. 104, text lines 103-105

I found a variation of the verse in the Bhṛgusaṁhitā 35.169, a text of the Vaikhanasa-tradition (GRETIL):

Anuṣṭubh

This variation is quoted in several inscriptions (numbered 3, 49, 61) edited by Chhabra 1957: appendix A, 177. He gives the following translation:

Between a gift and its preservation, the preservation is more meritorious than the gift. By giving one attains to heaven, by preserving to the postion from where there is no falling (into the world).

He lives very high in the sky, the man who makes a gift as well as the one who authorizes it, He firmly cooks in the Raurava the one who steals a land or the one who contributes to this theft.

Oh! Gladdener of your race! He that makes a gift on this earth blesses (his) ten generations past and future; and he that takes away (that which has been given) destroys ten generations past and future.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Sircar 1965: № Stanza 42, 183 silently emends kurunandana in the pāda d. As I find no occurence of this reading, I reproduce the reading (kulanandana) found in the source quoted by Sircar himself (see Vēḷvikkuṭi grant, time of Neṭuñcaṭaiyaṉ, year 3 verse XXI).

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See Vēḷvikkuṭi grant, time of Neṭuñcaṭaiyaṉ, year 3, verse XXI (Krishna Sastri 1923–1924).

The man who gives (land) is blessed for ten (generations), the one withdrawing it destroys ten generations. Resuming a land already given drives someone to hells.

The gifts which have been here granted by former kings producing virtue, wealth and fame are comparable to the remains of offerings to the gods. What good man could resume them? (translation EI24_12, p.217)

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

This verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 125, № 17. Lévi 1908: page 123, № 8bis and Kane 1941: page 1273, № 9 quote the stanza with the following reading (pāda a):

Indravajrā

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Bezvāḍa plates of Bhīma I lines 43-45
• Benares Copper-plate Grant of Govindracandra of Kanauj Saṁvat 1162, line 20 (introduced by the sentence atrātha paurāṇikāḥ ślokāḥ).
• Peddāpurappāḍu plates (set 2) of Viṣṇuvardhana II (verse IV, lines 23-24) with slight variations.

If the property of divinity is destroyed and if the property of Brahmins is stolen, this property will cause the ruin of the family and the destruction of the soul.

Whoever takes advantage of the divinity's goods, whoever interferes in ritual activities or whoever blasphemes, will be reborn without a son.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

After being burnt by the fires of the five terrifying great sins above mentioned, those who seize gifts made to Brahmins will go to the hell.

This stanza is quoted in Akki-Ālūr (Kir̥ukuppuṭūra) Grant of Kr̥ṣṇavarman II, Year 15, lines 18-19 (see Gai 1996: s.v. 38, 147–148, attributed to the Dharmaśāstra of Manu.

Anyone who steals land once owned and belonging to gods or brahmins, is called a Brahmin murderer even if long dead.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

Baṅkāpūr inscription of the time of Someśvara I and the Kādamba Harikeśarin śaka 977 (Barnett 1915–1916, reference given first by Kane 1941: 1275).

Kane 1941: 1275 attributes the number 42 to this stanza in his list.

He who desired a single yava (measure of a barley grain) from the god's property or a single tila (measure of a sesame grain) from a Brahmin's property, will go to hell and ruin his lineage.

Men who steal the properties of gods and Brahmins in this world, without fear of hell, because of their foolishness, burn in hell.

Through dharma grow kingship, glory and earth; thanks to dharma, the Fathers become satisfied; thanks to dharma, Gods are pleased.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Therefore dharma done by oneself or by another should be protected with effort by the earth-ruler who wishes the two worlds.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Thanks to dharma, the king Paijavana enjoyed the earth for ever, and on the contrary, because of his adharma, Nahuṣa was precipitated into the underworld

The twice-born are not contemptible since they are the source of knowledge in the triple world : one should honoured them like a god with gifts, respect and praises etc.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

This verse is found in Hira Lal 1927–1928: page 213, lines 34–35 (see also Amoda plates of the Haihaya King Jajalladeva of the (Cedi) year 912).

The earth granted to Brāhmaṇas is the sole sister of all the kings. No tax is to be levied therepon(The pun on kara 'hand'. 'She (being a sister) should not be grasped by hand'.). It should be not enjoyed as their own possession. (translation Tagare 1996)

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See Copper plates of Kṛṣṇa-deva Temple at Toṇḍanūr (Tirumalasāgara-chatra hobli)

Like a snakeskin, a simple gift of land frees us from a fault that would be worth a stay in hell for twenty-one generations.

The one who steals a single cow, one piece of gold or a half aṅgula of land will stay in hells up to the dissolution of the created things.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Kane 1941: 1274 attributes the number 14 to this stanza in his list with the following reading:

Anuṣṭubh

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

This stanza can be read in the following inscriptions:

• Inscriptions numbered 29 and 43 edited by Chhabra 1957: appendix A, 178

The specks of dust from earth are countable, so are the raindrops, but the fruits of dharma protection are immeasurable, even for the creator.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Gadag Inscription of Vira-Ballala II, śaka samvat 1114, line 48 Lüders 1900–1901 (reference given by Sircar 1965: 185

Kane 1941: 1275 attributes the number 26 to this stanza in his list.

If anyone has seized cattle, a woman or land, let him keep it and not part with it. Thus he will be declared to the king and punished for Brahminicide.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• EIAD00182 = EI4_25 = Copper plates from Chikula — grant of Vikramendravarman, year 10, lines 31-32 (reference given by Sircar 1965"this record is not later than the 8th century A.D." according to Kielhorn 1896–1897

The text of this stanza is quite problematic and Kielhorn 1896–1897: note 4, 197 explains that he was unable to find this verse elsewhere and to give a correct text.

The fruit that returns to the giver in sacred places such as Gayā, Godāvarī, the Ganges, Prayāga etc. is identical in every way to the protection of the earth.

Whoever destroys (this) is endued by this act with the murder of a cow and the murder of a Brahmin, as well as the murder of a child, the murder of a vipra and the murder of a sage.

For those whose livelihood has been stolen, priests, donors, citizens who lament, as many as grains of dust fall their tears.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Kings, nobles of the court, as well as those without means, those who have seized the land of a Brahmin will burn in the Kumbhīpāka for as many years (as the number of tears shed).

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Riding in a divine chariot pulled by swans, the earth giver travels to the world of the gods, while the one who seizes it is cooked by the messengers of Kāla in a heated jar full of boiling oil.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

The stanza occurs in the following inscriptions:

• Inscriptions numbered (3) (4), 27, 37, 78 in Chhabra 1957: appendix A, 179 (reference mentioned by Sircar 1965)

As this stanza is so far found only in the medieval corpus from the State of Chamba (Chhabra 1957), it seems to be a local or dynastic stanza.

Let this be given for Hara's satisfying thanks to Śiva's devotee; this pure gift is the only one that brings liberation.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

The foolish man who seizes or makes [a land] seized, covered by obscurity and bound by Vāruṇa’s noose, he will be born again in an animal womb.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

This verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 127, № 26.

A man who steals land offered to a god, or even to a Brahmin or a guru, whether it is given by him or another, goes to hell.

Poison kills the person who ingests it; fire is extinguished by water; the man whose fire is produced by wood from a Brahmin's property burns his entire family.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Gold, gems, pearls, clothes and jewels, all these are given by those who make a land-gift.

Whoever seizes a debt or land or has them seized, these three go to hell as long as fourteen of the fourtheenth lunations lasts.

Kane 1941: 1277 attributes the number 39.

An act performed in this world is rewarded in the hereafter, just as a fruit can be seen among the branches of a tree whose base has been watered.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Malgā Plates of Indrabala, Year 11 lines 26-27

Those who destroy this dharma and those who associate themselves with this destruction are the sons of hunters, Mleccha, Cāṇḍāla and tanners.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Copper plates of Kṛṣṇa-deva Temple at Toṇḍanūr (Tirumalasāgara-chatra hobli)

In his introduction, Sircar 1965: note 3, 174–175 classifies this stanza as not a quotation but a stanza composed by a court poet.

Having considered that fortune and human life were as transient as a drop of water on a lotus petal, and having thought that the entire world is an illustration, let the glorious acts made by others not be destroyed by men.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

This verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 123, № 6. Kane 1941: 1275 attributes the number 29 to this stanza in his list with the following variation (pāda c):

Puṣpitāgrā

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• INSSomavamsin00001 = Vakratentali grant of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 3 verse
• INSSomavamsin00002 = Gopalpur plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 1 verse
• INSSomavamsin00003 = Gopalpur plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 10 verse
• INSSomavamsin00004 = Gopalpur plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 12 verse
• INSSomavamsin00006 = Patna plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya Kārttika month year 6 verse
• INSSomavamsin00008 = Satalma plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 8 verse 12
• INSSomavamsin00010 = Gaintala plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 17 verse
• INSSomavamsin00011 = Chaudwār plates #1 of Mahābhavagupta Dharmakandarpa year 31 verse
• INSSomavamsin00013 = Banpur plates of Indraratha Year 6 verse
• INSSomavamsin00015 = Bālijhari plates of Mahābhavagupta Uddyotakeśarin year 4 verse
• INSSomavamsin00016 = Jatesinga-Dungri plates of Mahāśivagupta Yayāti year 3 verse
• INSSomavamsin00017 = Orissa State Museum plates of Mahāśivagupta Yayāti year 4 verse
• INSSomavamsin00019 = Cuttack plates of Mahābhavagupta Bhīmaratha year 3 verse
• INSSomavamsin00020 = Mahulpara plates of Mahāśivagupta Dharmaratha year 11 verse
• INSSomavamsin00022 = Pāṭṇā plates of Mahāśivagupta Yayāti year 8 verse
• INSSomavamsin00023 = Cuttack plates of Mahāśivagupta Yayāti year 9 verse
• INSSomavamsin00028 = Pātiliñjira grant of Mahābhavagupta year 11 verse
• INSSomavamsin00031 = Ratnagiri plates of Mahāśivagupta Karṇa year 6 verse
• INSSomavamsin00032 = Kelga plates of Someśvaradeva year 1 verse
• INSSomavamsin00038 = Sankhameri plates of Mahābhavagupta Uddyotakeśarin year 4 verse
• INSSomavamsin00039 = Ruchida plates of Mahābhavagupta year 8 verse
• INSSomavamsin00040 = Baragaon plates of the time of Janamejaya year 13 verse
• INSSomavamsin00047 = Kāṇḍavindhā plates of Mahābhavagupta Uddyotakeśarin year 3 verse
• INSBengalCharters00008 = Paschimbhag Plate of Śrīcandra verse
• INSBengalCharters00026 = Biyala Plate of Mahīpāla I verse
• INSBengalCharters00071 = Rajibpur Plate of Gopāla IV, year 2 and Madanapāla, year 2 verse
• INSBengalCharters00073 = Jagajjibanpur Plate of Mahendrapāla, year 7 verse
• INSBengalCharters00074 = Jajilpara Plate of Gopāla III, year 6 verse
• INSBengalCharters00075 = Manahali Plate of Madanapāla, year 8 verse
• INSBengalCharters00085 = Belwa Plate of Mahīpāla I, year 2 verse
• INSBengalCharters00088 = Khalimpur Plate of Dharmapāla, year 32 verse
• INSBengalCharters00091 = Bhagalpur Plate of Nārāyaṇapāla, year 17 verse
• INSBengalCharters00092 = Indian Museum Plate of Dharmapāla, year 26 verse
• INSBengalCharters00102 = Bangarh Plate of Mahīpāla I, year 9 verse
• INSBengalCharters00104 = Nalanda Plate of Devapāla year 35 verse
• INSBengalCharters00107 = Mirzapur Plate of Śūrapāla I, year3 verse
• INSBengalCharters00108 = Bharat Kala Bhavan Plate of Rājyapāla, year 2 verse
• INSBengalCharters00109 = Mohipur Plate of Gopāla II, year 3 verse
• INSBengalCharters00110 = Rangpur Plate of Mahīpāla I, year 5 verse
• INSBengalCharters00111 = Suvarnakarikadanda Plate of Gopāla II, year 4 (no.1) verse
• INSBengalCharters00125 = Monghyr/Munger Plate of Devapāla, r.y. 33 verse
• INSDaksinaKosala00046 = Lodhiā Plates of Śivagupta, Year 57 verse
• INSDaksinaKosala00048 = Stray Būrhīkhār Plate of Śivagupta, Year 57
• EI42_9 = Phulbāni copper-plate grant of Raṇabhañjadeva year 28, verse 14 (Subramonia Iyer 1977–1978)

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

Sircar 1965: noticed this variation of best_0071. It can be read in INSBengalCharters00084 = Mallasarul Charter of Vijayasena, time of Gopacandra year 3 lines 23-24

Knowing this, this land donation given by me cannot be destroyed by all the future kings who have knowledge and good intentions for themselves.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

This stanza can be read in the Grant from Chinchani of the time of Indra III śaka 848.

Those who donate dharma will reside in the world of Brahma for hundreds and thousands of years.

Anyone who neglects (this) in deed, thought or word, even with good reason, will be a caṇḍāla forever excluded from all (ritual) acts.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Gadag (stone) Inscription of Vira-Ballala II, śaka samvat 1114, lines 52-53 Lüders 1900–1901 (reference given by Sircar 1965)
• lines 74-76 in a set of copper plates mentioning princes from the Kalachuri family edited by Fleet in Indian Antiquary, volume IV, pp.274-281 (Fleet 1875), the reference was given by Sircar 1965

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• EI1_11 = The Madhuban Copper-Plate of Harsha Dated Samvat 25, lines 16-17 (Bühler 1892

This variation is not mentioned by Sircar 1965

It never ceases to grow, the fruit of the actions of those who make it, those who have it made, those who originate it, and even those who accept it, even after these fortunate people have died.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

Sircar 1965: note 4, 187 indicates one source only : an inscription edited in the Epigraphia Carnatica, vol. VIII, Tl n°5, which are referred as copperplates in possession of Chinnabhaṇḍārada Śâma Rao at Tīrthahaḷḷi. It seems that the text suggesting by Sircar 1965 is his own emendation since the text of the inscription runs as follows :

Anuṣṭubh

Waste land what has [newly] been taken up for cultivation and [cultivated] land what has been enjoyed for more than ten years up to a hundred years, [that land] a king is not entitled to confiscate!

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Malgā Plates of Indrabala, Year 11, lines 23-24

What I have signed is equivalent to ten million vājapeyas, a hundred thousand viśvajit and a thousand aśvamedha..

A man who gives a plot of land as a livelihood to a miserable, to someone become poor, to someone emaciated by his way of life, to someone who is dying, by this conduct, he becomes happy and obtains all his desires.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

The source quoted by Sircar 1965: note 7, 187 is the Kalaikuri-Sultanpur Plate of the Time of Kumāragupta I (see also Sanyal 1955–1956).

This land is dear to many people, like an adulterous wife; this injured body is perishable; if the good deed is not firmly done now, the fire of regret will burn you in misfortune.

A man lying about a small animal kills five (of them), one lying about a cow kills ten, one lying about a horse kills hundred, one lying about a man kills one thousand.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

A variation of this verse can be read in the Pañcatantra III.109 (source:https://gretil.sub.uni-goettingen.de/gretil/corpustei/transformations/html/sa_viSNuzarman-paJcatantra.htm) .

Anuṣṭubh

Narasimhachar 1913 is the first to indicate this verse as a formulaic stanza. He claims that this stanza is to be found in a donation issued by a Gaṅga king, but for the moment, the bibliographical information he provides has not enabled me to find this source. To date (21/03/2025), I have found no occurrence of this stanza in epigraphic sources.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

This stanza or a variation of it can be traced in the corrupted text of Jokab Plate of Devānandadeva lines 38-39.

A man lying about the golden lord kills the born and the unborn, one lying about the earth kills everything, so nothing false should be said on earth.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

This stanza can be read in Amoda plates of the Haihaya King Jajalladeva of the (Cedi) year 912 (see Hira Lal 1927–1928 with the following variation (already mentioned by Sircar 1965: note 1, 188).

Anuṣṭubh

Narasimhachar 1913 is the first to indicate this verse as a formulaic stanza. Unlike the previous stanza, a variation of it can be found in one inscription. Sircar 1965: note 1, 188 reproduced all the information given by his predecessor. He added the parallel with Br̥haspatisaṁhitā.

He who gives a gift will save seven generations and seven again and seven again; he who will steal it, will cause seven to fall deeper and deeper and seven again and seven again.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Gadag Inscription of Vira-Ballala II, śaka samvat 1114, lines 50-51 Lüders 1900–1901 (reference given by Sircar 1965: 185

This verse is quoted by Hopkins 1885: 246.

The man lost by sin, with his intoxicated soul, who steals men out of greed, will roast in the dreadful hell for countless kalpas.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Hiregutti Plates of Bhoja Aśaṁkita (Desai 1949–1950)

Men can survive a poison made of copper or stone, but in the three worlds what man can survive [a steal of] a brahmin property?

Have no doubt about the fruit of what is given by another, o sons of Pr̥thu, the fruit is eternal both for him who gives in person and for him who protects what is given by another.

This verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 125, № 16. Kane 1941: 1275 attributes the number 43 to this stanza in his list.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Satalma plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 8 verse 3
• Stray Būrhīkhār Plate of Śivagupta, Year 57

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

The following variation can be read in EI31_34 = Dasgoba plates of rajaraja III, Saka 1120, lines 146-147, Sircar and Ratha Sarma 1955–1956 (Sircar 1965: note 4, 195 quotes this reference as a variation of best_0128 but this is a mistake):

Anuṣṭubh

For the success of the fruits of my gift and for the benefit of the fruits of its protection, this dharma that I am carrying out must be protected by the kings as long as the moon and stars last.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Puri plates (set B) of Gaṅga Narasiṁha IV, lines 11-12 of the seventh plate, Sircar 1949–1950: 311 (reference given by Sircar 1965)
• Asankhali plates of Narasiṁha II, Śaka 1225, lines 206-207 Sircar 1955–1956: 128 (reference not given by Sircar 1965)

In his introduction, Sircar 1965: note 3, 174–175 classifies this stanza as not a quotation but a stanza composed by a court poet. He specifies in his note that this stanza is generally found in the grants of the Imperial Gaṅgas of Orissa and that sometimes we have bhūmeḥ for bhūpaiḥ.

The king who protects the gift I have given to the virtuous twice-born, I pay him homage by laying my crown at his divine feet.

In his introduction, Sircar 1965: note 3, 174–175 classifies this stanza as not a quotation but a stanza composed by a court poet.

This earth is a prey to be enjoyed, but one that still stinks with the overflowing fat of the two demons, Madhu and Kaitaba. Kings can profit from this earth for a long time only if they parfume it with their own glory. (Törzsök, J. 2006. Rāma beyond price by Murāri. Clay Sanskrit Library )

Narasimhachar 1913 is the first to indicate this verse as a formulaic stanza (quoted in an inscription dated A.D.1521 recorded in Archaeological Survey Of Mysore Annual Report: 1912 Vol.4, paragraph 108, pp.91-92, and published in Epigraphia Carnatica, vol.III, Tirumakūḍlu-narasīpūr Taluq 44, See Settar 1912). Sircar 1965: note 1, 188 reproduced all the information given by his predecessor. In Murāri's work, the stanza is attributed to the sage Vasiṣṭha.

To the future kings on earth born in my lineage or born from another royal lineage, whose minds are deprived of sin and who protect this entire dharma of mine, I offer my respectful reverence.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

A variation is legible in Copper plates of Kṛṣṇa-deva Temple at Toṇḍanūr (Tirumalasāgara-chatra hobli), verse 11, as follows:

Vasantatilakā

Kane 1941: 1274 attributes the number 21 to this stanza.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Puri plates (set B) of Gaṅga Narasiṁha IV, lines 17-18 of the seventh plate, Sircar 1949–1950: 312 (reference given by Sircar 1965)
• Kāṭlapaṟṟu grant of Vijayāditya III, lines 69-71
• Bezvāḍa plates of Bhīma I, lines 37-40
• Pedda-Gāḻidipaṟṟu grant of Amma II, lines 69-70
• Vemalūrpāḍu plates of Amma II, lines 66-69
• Mḻopaṟṟu grant attributed to Maṅgi Yuvarāja, lines 21-23
• Ciṁbuluru plates of Vijayāditya III, lines 38-40
• Kaṇḍyam plates of Dānārṇava, lines 67-69
• Pañcapāka grant of Bhīma I, lines 48-51
• Varaṇaveṇḍi grant of Bhīma II, lines 64-67
• Kalidiṇḍi grant of the Eastern Cālukya Rājarāja I, lines 118-119
• Uṟuvuṭūru grant of Vijayāditya III, lines 51-53
• Pulgoṭlapaṁbuluru grant of Vijayāditya III, lines 53-55
• Paiṭhan Plates of Rāmacandra śaka 1193, see Fleet 1885
• Puruṣottampurī Plates of Rāmacandra, śaka 1232, see Mirashi 1939–1940
• Samgamner Copper-plate Inscription of the Yadava Bhillama II, the śaka year 922 (see Kielhorn 1894: 221, lines 108-109)
• Kasheli copperplate inscriptions of (1) Śilāhāra ruler Bhoja II (dated 27 June 1191) and (2) Ramaṇasa Maṇḍalika and Jāṣaṇa Maṇḍalika (dated 31 August 1279), lines 51-53 (Bapat 2016)
• The Kotāpūr copperplate charter dated Monday, November 18, 1191 CE, purported to have been issued by Śilāhāra ruler Bhoja II, lines 65-66 (Bapat 2022)

To the kings on earth born in my lineage or born from another royal lineage, whose hearts are eternally consumed with love for the dharma, who always protect my dharma, I offer my respectful reverence.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See Viswanatha 1921–1922

Whatever king born in my lineage or in another lineage, if he destroys my glory, let me be tied to his hand/beneficiary of his royal tax.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Kane 1941: 1276 attributes the number 32 to this stanza with the following reading :

Anuṣṭubh

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Puri plates (set B) of Gaṅga Narasiṁha IV, lines 18-19 of the seventh plate, Sircar 1949–1950: 312 (reference given by Sircar 1965)

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

The stanza is found with the following reading in the Plates of Neṭṭabhañja Tribhuvanakalaśa, lines 36-37, EI28_44 = Sircar and Acharya 1949–1950: 283 (variation already noticed by Sircar 1965: note 4, 189):

Anuṣṭubh

The stanza is found with the following reading in the Jurada Grant of Neṭṭabhañjadeva, lines 21-22, EI24_4 = Krishnamacharlu 1937–1938: 19 (not noticed by Sircar 1965):

Anuṣṭubh

The stanza is found with the following reading in Mala Plates of Virasimhadeva ; V. S. 1343, EI22_29 = Halder 1933–1934 (variation already noticed by Sircar 1965: note 4, 189):

Anuṣṭubh

A variation of this verse can be read in the inscriptions numbered 16, 21, 27 edited by Chhabra 1957: appendix A, 177

Even for the greatest sins, there is forgiveness in the treatises, but for those who have stolen a gift made to the Brahmins, there is no forgiveness.

You must never, o Pārthiva, ever covet a land-gift offered to a Brahmin, even in thought, as this would be a poison similar to venom whose remedy is dharma.

Indeed, Death's servants and their sticks, the frightful falls into the fire and Vāruṇa's terrifying laces don't come near the earth giver.

The one who does not give what has been promised or the one who steals what has been given, both are tormented by Vāruṇa's nooses on Mr̥tyu's orders.

No gift is greater than the gift of land; nor is there a greater sin enjoined (on man) than (that of) resuming land (already given).

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See Vēḷvikkuṭi Grant, time of Neṭuñcaṭaiyaṉ, year 3 (Krishna Sastri 1923–1924).

There is nothing like a gift of land; no master like a king; no dharma like truth; no treasure like a gift.

There is no knowledge without reward, no wealth without profit, so the sages say that there is only one gift in Kali Yuga.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Kr̥ta-Tretā-Dvāpareṣu, etc. See No. 97, note.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See Samgamner Copper-plate Inscription of the Yadava Bhillama II, the śaka year 922 (1000 CE) (Kielhorn 1894, lines 55-56, reference already noticed by Kane 1941: 1275).

Kane 1941: 1275 attributes the number 24 to this stanza.

They said that the poison is not poison, the property of a brahmin is also said to be a poison: the poison kills only one man while the (steal of) a brahmin property kills sons and grandsons !

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

A variation of this stanza (pādas a and b) can be read in Oṃgoḍu grant, time of Skandavarman, year 33, lines 17-18

Anuṣṭubh

An almost identical variation can be read in Kāsipura Grant of Ravivarman, line 17:

Anuṣṭubh

One can find the following variation on the beginning of the pādas b and d (see for example Peddāpurappāḍu plates (set 3) of Viṣṇuvardhana II lines 32-34; Ceruvu Mādhavaram plates of Viṣṇuvardhana V lines 25-26; Baṅkāpūr inscription of the time of Someśvara I and the Kādamba Harikeśarin śaka 977 lines 58-59):This variation is already quoted as an usual stanza by Hopkins 1885: 245

Anuṣṭubh

Kane 1941: 1273 attributes the number 11 to this stanza in his list.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

This verse can be read in the following inscriptions:

• inscription numbered 21 in Chhabra 1957 (this is the only inscription in this volume that quoteds this stanza)

Bearing in mind the serious consequences of stealing land and the benefits received for its protection, what has been given by kings must be protected: protection is greater than a gift.

In his introduction, Sircar 1965: note 3, 174–175 classifies this stanza as not a quotation but a stanza composed by a court poet.

Land acquired legally, if it is seized illegally, those who seize it or those who cause it to be seized destroy up to the seventh generation.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Kane 1941: 1276 attributes the number 34 with the following reading:

Anuṣṭubh

From protection comes supreme dharma, from protection supreme glory, from protection supreme paradise, so protection is the most important.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

This verse can be read in the following inscriptions:

• Inscriptions numbered 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 41, 43, 48, 51, 53, 54, 59, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 69, 75, 76, 78 and 79 in Chhabra 1957

After abandoning his sin as one abandons a snake's skin, thanks to the gift of land for the construction of temples, brick by brick he reached heaven for twenty-one generations of ancestors.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

There is a typo in the reference given in note by Sircar 1965. The stanza is found in the Baudh grant of Raṇabhañjadeva, the 54th year (see Banerji 1913–1914: № A, page 324, lines 33–34

Whoever one day destroys the land given by another, bound by Vāruṇa's lace he will be thrown into purulent blood.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Gadag Inscription of Vira-Ballala II, śaka samvat 1114, line 50 Lüders 1900–1901 (reference given by Sircar 1965)

Kane 1941: 1275 attributes the number 27 to this stanza in his list.

There is no better divine provisions for the heaven than the gift of land; so, it must be protected with the greatest respect.

The tears of the unfortunate weeping and succumbing fall: when land is taken from Brahmins, it kills a family over three generations.

He who gives land furrowed by the plough together with seed and abounding with crop, abides in heaven so long as the sun continues to give light to the world. (EI24, p.217)

Kane 1941: 1274 attributes the number 16 to this stanza in his list with the following reading (pāda b):

Anuṣṭubh

It is said that dharma is the fruit; from this fruit it is impossible for it to be fruitless; he who seizes a piece of land, taking its fruit, let him obtain fruitlessness from this fruit.

The rules have been established for the welfare of the people and the wise should observe them in regard to duties (dharma). The evil-minded one who seizes through greed or foolishness, blind he will immediately go to the bad and suffering hell.

In his introduction, Sircar 1965: note 3, 174–175 classifies this stanza as not a quotation but a stanza composed by a court poet.

You will obtain many riches: this is the result of what was given before; by giving again, you will become richer.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Malgā Plates of Indrabala, Year 11, lines 25-26

The gift made without generosity and the gift made by stealing another gift render sterile all that has been given since birth.

We know that generally there is no virtuous path for kings, but they always purify themselves by offering land.

This verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 124, № 10 with the reading nāśubhā gatiḥ in pāda b. Kane 1941: 1273 attributes the number 12 to this stanza in his list.

He will stay in Brahma's world for as many thousands of years as there are grains of dust on the earth he has given.

Whoever steals a piece of land given by the elders or by others before them, stuck forever in sin, will dwell again and again in hell.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

Currently, this stanza is only cited in one epigraphic document : Cendalūra grant, time of Kumāraviṣṇu, year 2.

This verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 124, № 9bis, who refers to Kumāraviṣṇu. Kane 1941: 1275 attributes the number 24 to this stanza in his list.

Jewels, food, drink, cattle and so on, everything comes from the earth ; therefore by making a gift of land, a man becomes the giver of all of these.

The earth stretches for eighty-six thousand yojana; oh, for such a good deed, whoever gives a village gets heaven !

Giving is immediate and effortless, whereas protection is long-term and requires effort; this is why the sages say that protection is superior to giving.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See EI2_15 = Samgamner Copper-plate Inscription of the Yadava Bhillama II, the śaka year 922, lines 94-95 (Kielhorn 1894, not noticed by Sircar 1965) with the following variations:

Anuṣṭubh

Rāmacandra begs repeatedly to all these future kings: "this barrier of justice dharma which is common to all the kings, you always must protect it!".

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

The verse is mentioned by Burnell 1878: 98 as a quotation found in Devaṇabhaṭṭa's Smṛticandrikā (see Srinivasacharya 1914). It is used in Smṛticandrikā as a part of the argument for the production of a written document. It is given as an example of stanza to be quoted to inform future kings and their vassals (variation in pāda d) :

Śālinī

After this quotation, Devaṇabhaṭṭa adds that the king himself should write "by my own hand" (tato rājā svayaṃ svahastaṃ likhet).

This verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 127, № 22. Kane 1941: 1273 attributes the number 10 to this stanza in his list with the following reading (inversion pādas ab and cd and bhūmipalān instead of pārthivendrān):

Śālinī

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

The stanza is quoted in the following records:

• Tāṇḍivāḍa grant of Vijayāditya II, lines 29-31, Stanza III
• Koṟṟapaṟṟu grant of Vijayāditya II, lines 50-51, Stanza IV (introduced by the sentence rāmeṇāpy uktaṁ)
• Masulipatam plates of Vijayāditya III, lines 33-34, Stanza VIII
• Bezvāḍa plates of Bhīma I, lines 40-43, Stanza V
• Māṁgallu grant of Dānārṇava, lines 65-67, Stanza XXIII
• Pedda-Gāḻidipaṟṟu grant of Amma II, lines 67-68, Stanza XXI
• Vemalūrpāḍu plates of Amma II, lines 65-66, Stanza XVI
• Mḻopaṟṟu grant attributed to Maṅgi Yuvarāja, lines 24-26, Stanza VII
• Ciṁbuluru plates of Vijayāditya III, lines 37-38, Stanza XIV
• Candavolu plates of Vijayāditya III, lines 21-22, Stanza I
• Īnteṟu grant of Bādapa, lines 72-73, Stanza XXVIII
• Pañcapāka grant of Bhīma I, lines 47-48, Stanza XVII
• Kalidiṇḍi grant of the Eastern Cālukya Rājarāja I, lines 116-118, Stanza XLVII
• Vakratentali grant of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 3, lines , Stanza
• Gopalpur plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 1, lines , Stanza
• Gopalpur plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 10, lines , Stanza
• Gopalpur plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 12, lines , Stanza
• Patna plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya Āṣāḍha month year 6, lines , Stanza
• Patna plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya Kārttika month year 6, lines , Stanza
• Kālibhanā Plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 6, lines , Stanza
• Satalma plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 8, lines , Stanza 11
• Sonpur plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 17, lines , Stanza
• Gaintala plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 17, lines , Stanza
• Chaudwār plates #1 of Mahābhavagupta Dharmakandarpa year 31, lines , Stanza
• Kālibhanā plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 34, lines , Stanza
• Banpur plates of Indraratha Year 6, lines , Stanza
• Bālijhari plates of Mahābhavagupta Uddyotakeśarin year 4, lines , Stanza
• Jatesinga-Dungri plates of Mahāśivagupta Yayāti year 3, lines , Stanza
• Orissa State Museum plates of Mahāśivagupta Yayāti year 4, lines , Stanza
• Pāṭṇā plates of Mahāśivagupta Yayāti year 28, lines , Stanza
• Cuttack plates of Mahābhavagupta Bhīmaratha year 3, lines , Stanza
• Mahulpara plates of Mahāśivagupta Dharmaratha year 11, lines , Stanza
• Pāṭṇā plates of Mahāśivagupta Yayāti year 8, lines , Stanza
• Cuttack plates of Mahāśivagupta Yayāti year 9, lines , Stanza
• Nibinna plates of Mahāśivagupta Yayāti year 15, lines , Stanza
• Pāṭṇā plates of Mahāśivagupta Yayāti year 24, lines , Stanza
• Pātiliñjira grant of Mahābhavagupta year 11, lines , Stanza
• Ratnagiri plates of Mahāśivagupta Karṇa year 6, lines , Stanza
• Sambalpur University Museum plates of the time of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 23, lines , Stanza
• Degaon plates of the time of Janamejaya, lines , Stanza
• Sankhameri plates of Mahābhavagupta Uddyotakeśarin year 4, lines , Stanza
• Ruchida plates of Mahābhavagupta year 8, lines , Stanza
• Baragaon Plates of the Time of Janamejaya year 13, lines , Stanza
• Chaudwār plates #2 of Mahābhavagupta Dharmakandarpa year 31, lines , Stanza
• Chaudwār plates #3 of Mahābhavagupta Dharmakandarpa year 31, lines , Stanza
• Kāṇḍavindhā plates of Mahābhavagupta Uddyotakeśarin year 3, lines , Stanza
• Copper plates of Kṛṣṇa-deva Temple at Toṇḍanūr (Tirumalasāgara-chatra hobli)
• Plate of Govindracandra of Vikrama-saṁvat 1182 (see Kielhorn 1896–1897: № A, 99–101)
• Ganjam Grant of Jayavarmadeva, lines 33-35, Misra 1936
• Two inscriptions on copper-plates from Nutimadugu, lines 66-67, EI25_19 = Lakshminarayan Rao 1939–1940: 194 (it is a palimspest record; the stanza belongs to the second record from Vijayanagar and is inscribed on the recto of the third plate)
• Veligalani Grant of Kapileśvara śaka 1380, lines 195-199, EI33_52 = Sircar and Sarma 1959–1960: 292 (it is a palimpsest record, the verse ends the record and belongs to the charter originally engraved according to Sircar and Sarma 1959–1960: 278. The editors add in the note 4 p.192 that "these lines were probably not completely beaten because they are not unsuitable to the context of the new record")
• Nilagangavaram (stone) Inscription of Ambadeva-Mahārāja: śaka 1212, lines 37-39, EI25_27 = Panchamukhi 1939–1940
• EI25_25 = INSTamilNadu01010 = Cārāla plates, time of Rājendra / Rājakesarin Vīrarājendra, year 32, lines 201-203 (Ramanatha Ayyar and Venkatasubba Ayyar 1939–1940)
• EI25_21 = Purshottampuri plates of Ramachandra: Saka 1232, lines 139-140 (Mirashi 1939–1940)
• Inscriptions n° 20, 27, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 43, 44, 45, 48, 49, 50, 52, 57, 60, 63, 64, 67, 68, 70, 77, 78, 79 and 81 edited by Chhabra 1957: appendix A, 178

Trilocana prays to the kings, whether born of his own lineage or born of another lineage: "this barrier of justice dharma which is common to all the kings, you always must protect it!"

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

Ekallahāra Grant of Trilocanapāla, śaka 972 (1050 CE), Gujarat, lines 53-54 (see Sircar 1965–1966, not mentioned by Sircar 1965)

After giving a land, Rāmabhadra begs repeatedly to all these future kings: "this barrier of justice dharma which is common to all the kings, you always must protect it!".

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• EI2_15 = Samgamner Copper-plate Inscription of the Yadava Bhillama II, the śaka year 922 (Kielhorn 1894, lines 95-98)
• EI35_5 = the third grant entitled 'Grant of Vījala (Vija, Vīja or Vijja), śaka 975', AD 1053 lines 36-37 (Sircar 1957–1958: 76

This bridge of dharma is common to all the kings on earth, so that it should always be protected by the noble lords.

A conch, a throne, an umbrella, the best horses and elephants are the flowers of land-donation, its fruit is the sky, o destroyer of strongholds!

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Kane 1941: 1275 attributes the number 23 to this stanza in his list. Sircar 1965: 177 attributes to this verse the number 119. The reading of the pāda c suggested here is based on the Mahābhārata's critical edition. An alternative reading cihnāni instead of puṣpāṇi is found in numerous epigraphic records.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Puruṣottampurī Plates of Rāmacandra, śaka 1232 (with puṣpāṇi in pāda c; Mirashi 1939–1940)
• Benares Copper-plate Grant of Govindracandra of Kanauj Saṁvat 1162, lines 21-22 (introduced by the sentence atrātha paurāṇikāḥ ślokāḥ; in pāda c, cihnāni instead of puṣpāṇi )
• Plate of Govindracandra of Vikrama-saṁvat 1182 see Kielhorn 1896–1897: № A, 99–101 (pāda c: cihnāni instead of puṣpāṇi)

A variation of this stanza quoted by Sircar 1965 is found in the Mahābhārata 13.61.86-87 (GRETIL):

Anuṣṭubh

Anuṣṭubh

A variation of this stanza is found in Amoda plates of the Haihaya King Jajalladeva of the (Cedi) year 912 (Hira Lal 1927–1928):

Anuṣṭubh

Beautiful umbrellas and haugty rutting elephants are the sacred deeds of land-donation, its fruit is the sky, o destroyer of strongholds!

Kane 1941: 1275 attributes the number 41 to this stanza in his list, while Sircar 1965: note 3, 193 quotes this verse only as a variation of the previous one (best_0119).

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See Samgamner Copper-plate Inscription of the Yadava Bhillama II, the śaka year 922, with a slight variation on pāda c (puṣpāṇi instead of puṇyāni) Kielhorn 1894: 219, lines 60-61, reference already given by Kane 1941: 1275. In this inscription, the verse is attributed to several sages: Pāraśara, Vatsa, Kutsa, Aṅgiras, Gautama, Manu and Yājñavalkya (line 62 iti pāraśaravatsakutsāṅgarasagautamamanuyājñavalkyamunivacanānyavadhārya mayā dṛḍhataraviraktabuddhyā mātāpitrorātmanaśca śreyorthinā hi brāhmaṇānāṁ gramo dattaḥ)

When you seize land, you seize everything, there's no doubt about it; consequently, the thief of land will dwell forever in hell.

The fruit of all gifts lasts for one lifetime. The fruit of gold, land, and cows lasts for seven lifetimes.

Kane 1941: 1276 attributes the number 36.

Among all the gifts, the gift of land is extolled: a man overcomes sins accumulated over ten millions of kalpas.

Whoever gives land will rejoice in heaven for sixty thousand years, but whoever challenges [a gift] or approves [the challenge] will spend the same length of time in hell.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

There is a regular variation on the first word of the padā c (Ākṣeptā instead of Ācchettā. See for example Satalma plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 8 verse 4.

Another regular variation in the pāda b (not quoted by Sircar 1965 can be read in Cintapura grant (Kantēru plates 2) — reign of Skandavarman, year 1, lines 17-19, Copper plates concerning the village Vidētūrapallikā — reign of Nandivarman II, year 8, line 13:

Anuṣṭubh

Pargiter 1912: 249 mentioned this verse as a customary one. Jolly 1913: 675 indicates that the first pāda of the verse is quoted in Devaṇabhaṭṭa's Smṛticandrikā (see Srinivasacharya 1914). In this context, the verse is attributed to Vyāsa and quoted as a part of the argument for the production of a written document. It is intended to inform future kings and their vassals :

Anuṣṭubh

This verse corresponds to the number 2 in the list compiled by Kane 1941: 1272–1277.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Hiregutti Plates of Bhoja Aśaṁkita (Desai 1949–1950)
• Malgā Plates of Indrabala, Year 11 lines 20-21
• Boṇḍā Plates of Tīvaradeva, Year 5, not quoted by Sircar 1965 while he uses this reference for best_0030
• Copper plates from Godavari district (set I) — reign of Pṛthivīśrīmūla, year 25 (period 400-600 CE, Andhra Pradesh)
• Copper plates from Godavari district (set II) — reign of Pr̥thivīśrīmūla (period 400-600 CE, Andhra Pradesh)
• Copper plates from Godavari district (set I) — reign of Pṛthivīśrīmūla, year 25 (period 400-600 CE, Andhra Pradesh) with svargge krīḍati bhūmidaḥ in pāda b
• Copper plates from Kondavidu (set II) — reign of Pr̥thivīśrīmūla, year 43 (period 400-600 CE, Andhra Pradesh) with svargge tiṣṭhati bhūmidaḥ in pāda b
• Copper plates from Kondavidu (set III) — reign of Pr̥thivīśrīmūla, year 43 (period 400-600 CE, Andhra Pradesh) with svargge tiṣṭhati bhūmidaḥ in pāda b

The gift is [worth] a hundred if it is performed at the new moon, a thousand at the nightfall, a hundred thousand at the equinox and an infinite number during eclipses.

Dharma is performed even by enemies and must be protected, O king. For while the enemy remains an enemy, the dharma has no enemy.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Nilagangavaram Inscription of Ambadeva-Mahārāja: śaka 1212, lines 42-44 (EI25_27 = Panchamukhi 1939–1940; not noticed by Sircar 1965)

Whatever the accumulation of dharma, the oblation poured out in sacrifice or the word of truth, all this is destroyed by the seizure of a boundary (sīmā) by even half of an inch.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Kane 1941: 1276 attributes the number 38 with the following reading:

Anuṣṭubh

The land-givers go where there are golden palaces and wish-fulfilling streams of whealth, in the abode of Apsaras and Gandharvas.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Protecting the gift made by others is twice as meritorious as making a gift; one's own gift becomes fruitless by harming the gift made by others.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Copper plates of Kṛṣṇa-deva Temple at Toṇḍanūr (Tirumalasāgara-chatra hobli)
• A copper plate at Kaṭṭepura (Rice 1914: № 11, Epigraphia Carnatica volume 1, n° 11)
• Two inscriptions on copper-plates from Nutimadugu, lines 61-63 Lakshminarayan Rao 1939–1940: 194 (the stanza belongs to the second record from Vijayanagar and is inscribed on the recto of the third plate)
• EI41_34 = Dasgoba plates of rajaraja III, Saka 1120, lines 147 Sircar and Ratha Sarma 1955–1956

Whoever steals what has been given by himself or by another to a vipra or a god will be born in an injurious condition for millions and millions of years

Anuṣṭubh

The men who protect what has been given by himself or by another, will stay happy in the world of Rudra during thousand millions of years.

O Yudhiṣṭhira, you must carefully protect land that has been given by yourself or by others to the brahmins, preservation is even better than giving a land.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Boṇḍā Plates of Tīvaradeva, Year 5, not quoted by Sircar 1965 while he uses this reference for best_0030

The verse can be read in lines 55-56 of Konnur spurious inscription of Amoghavarsha I.; Saka-Samvat 782 (Kielhorn 1900–1901) with the following variation:

Anuṣṭubh

This verse was already quoted as an usual one by Hopkins 1885: 244. It was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 127, № 23. Pargiter 1912: 251 mentioned this verse as a customary one. This verse corresponds to the number 6 in the list compiled by Kane 1941: 1272–1277. Sircar 1965: 195–196 attributed the number 131 to this verse.

O Yudhiṣṭhira, you must carefully protect land that was onece given by the twice-born men, preservation is even better than giving a land.

This verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 124, № 9. Pargiter 1912: 251, Kane 1941: note 6, 1272 and Sircar 1965: note 1, 196 mentioned this verse as a variation of the previous one. Because of its high frequency, I have given it a specific number.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

This verse can be read in the following inscriptions:

• Gunaighar Charter of Vainyagupta or Gunaighar Plate of Vainyagupta
• Khoh Charter of Jayanātha, year 177
• Khoh Charter 1 of Śarvanātha, year 193
• Dhanaidaha Charter of Kumāragupta I or Dhanaidaha Plate, year 113 GE
• Damodarpur Charter 2 (GE 128) of Kumāragupta I
• Damodarpur Charter 2 of Budhagupta
• Paharpur Charter of the Time of Budhagupta
• Kalaikuri-Sultanpur Plate of the Time of Kumāragupta I or Kalaikuri-Sultanpur Plate, year 120 GE
• Khoh Charter 1 of Hastin, year 156
• Khoh Charter 2 of Hastin, year 163
• Majhgawam Charter of Hastin, year 191
• Khoh Charter of Saṁkṣobha, year 209
• Betul Charter of Saṁkṣobha, year 199
• Jabalpur Charter of Hastin, year 170
• Mallasarul Charter of Vijayasena
• Kotalipada Charter of the Time of Dvādaśāditya
• Pīparḍūlā Charter of Narendra
• Kurud Charter of Narendra
• Dhanaidaha Plate, Year 113 GE
• Kalaikuri-Sultanpur Plate of the Time of Kumāragupta I
• Raktamālā Grant no. 1, year 159 GE
• Baigram Plate, year 128 GE
• Tāvīra Plate, year 159 GE
• Paharpur Plate, year 159 GE
• Raktamālā Plate #2
• Jayarampur Plate of the time of Gopacandra, year 1
• Mallasarul Plate of Vijayasena, time of Gopacandra, year 3
• Majhgawam Charter of Hastin, year 191
• Sātārā plates of Viṣṇuvardhana I
• Thimi Stone Inscription
• Baigram Charter of the Time of Kumāragupta I
• Hiṭnahebbāgilu Grant of Mr̥geśavarman, Year 7
• Pīparḍūlā Plates of Narendra, Year 3

The one who would steal land given by himself or another becomes a worm in excrement and is cooked with his ancestors.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

This verse is found with several variations in the epigraphical records. Below the standard stanza edited by Sircar 1965 (numbered here best_132_00), I have listed all the major variations and have numbered them with an extented number. Each of these major variations can present minor variations. Below are the minor variations of the verse 132_00.

The verse 132_00 is found with a regular variation on the pāda c: sva-viṣṭhāyāṁ or śva-viṣṭhāyāṁ instead of sa viṣṭhāyāṁ : see for example Stela from Kdei Ang (K. 55), 6th century Śaka; lines 7-8.

For the sva-viṣṭhāyāṁ variation, see the Ghagrahati Charter of the Time of Samācāradeva, Year 14:

Anuṣṭubh

For the śva-viṣṭhāyāṁ variation, see the Faridpur Undated Charter of Dharmāditya:

Anuṣṭubh

One of the main variation of the pāda d is the inverted order of the word (see for example Gaintala plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 17, line 25-36), but one can also read synonyms for the verb pacyate like in the Grant n°3: Eleven Land-Grants of the Chalukyas of Aṇhilvād (for majjati, see also Benares Copper-plate Grant of Govindracandra of Kanauj Saṁvat 1162, lines 22-23; Plate of Govindracandra of Vikrama-saṁvat 1182 with majjati):

Anuṣṭubh

I reproduce below a particular variation mentioned by Sircar 1965 but I was not able to find the text in the bibliographical reference he quotesHe quoted Ep. Carn., Vol. VII, Tm. No. 51.:

Anuṣṭubh

Sircar 1965 makes no mention that a variation of this verse can be read in the Baudhāyana Dharmasūtra, II.2.26 :

Anuṣṭubh

If a man uses sesame for any purpose other than eating, anointing, and giving as a gift, reborn as a worm, he will plunge into a pile of a dog sheet together with his ancestors. (translation Olivelle 2000: 249)

According to Olivelle 2000: 191, the book one and the first sixteen chapters of the book two belongs to the "proto-Baudhāyana". This author dates the composition of the Baudhāyana Dharmasūtra not before the middle of the second century BCE (Olivelle 2000: 10).

The stanza found in the Baudhāyana Dharmasūtra can also be read with minor variations in the Mahābhārata 14.96.15*004_2381-2382:

Anuṣṭubh

A variation of this stanza is found in the Mahābhārata 14.96.15*004_1109-1110 (GRETIL):

Anuṣṭubh

There is no expiation anywhere [to exit] from the terrible hell for the man who would steal land given by himself or another.

The Hindol Plate of Kulastambha, line 27 (see Sircar 1949–1950) quotes this verse with a minor variation in the pāda b:

Anuṣṭubh

This verse was already quoted as an usual one by Hopkins 1885: 244, but with one of the major variation quoted below (i.e. best_0123_02). Best_132_00 was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 127, № 24. Pargiter 1912: 250 mentioned this verse as a customary one. This verse corresponds to the number 4 in the list compiled by Kane 1941: 1272–1277. He quotes it with the following reading (pāda d):

Anuṣṭubh

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions :

• Satalma plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 8 verse 9

He who would seize land, whether given by himself or by another, imbibes the sin (kilbiṣa) of the slayer of a hundred thousand cows.

This verse is already considered as an usual one by Hopkins 1885: 243. This verse corresponds to the number 3 in the list compiled by Kane 1941: 1272–1277. He quotes it with the following reading (pāda d):

Anuṣṭubh

Lévi 1908: 127 quotes this reading hantuḥ prāpnoti kilbiṣaṃ as an usual variation of best_0132_00.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

Sircar's reference : Narasimhaswami 1955–1956 which corresponds to Koṇeki grant of Viṣṇuvardhana II

Occurences found in the DHARMA database:

• Koṇeki grant of Viṣṇuvardhana II
• Tenali plates of Vijayāditya I
• Uccāṭi grant of Jayasiṁha I
• Cendalūr Plates of Maṅgi Yuvarāja
• Copper plates from Godavari district (set I) — reign of Pṛthivīśrīmūla, year 25

He who would seize land, whether given by himself or by another, imbibes the crime (duṣkr̥ta) of the slayer of a hundred thousand cows.

Pargiter 1912: 250 (3c) mentioned this verse as a customary one. Sircar 1965: note 2, 196 quotes this variation.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

Sircar's reference : CII vol III pp. 238, 247

Occurences found in the DHARMA database:

• Uruvupalli grant, time of Siṃhavarman, year 11

He who would seize land, whether given by himself or by another, will be reborn as a worm in n excrement for sixty thousand years.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

The bibliographical reference given by Sircar 1965 is the Nirmand copper-plate inscription of the Mahasamata and Mahararaja Samudrasena (see Fleet 1888). The verse is also quoted in the Chikkulla plates of Vikramendravarman with the following variation in the pāda d (which is not mentioned by Sircar 1965, even though he quotes this record as the source for stanza best_0057):

Anuṣṭubh

The verse is quoted in the Halsi Grant of Harivarman, Year 5 with the following variation in the pāda d (variation already mentioned by Sircar 1965: note 2, 196)

Anuṣṭubh

The verse is quoted in the Halsi Grant of Ravivarman, Year 11 with the following variation in the pāda d (variation already mentioned by Sircar 1965: note 2, 196): Hopkins 1885: 244

Anuṣṭubh

The verse is quoted in the Birur Grant of Viṣṇuvarman, Year 3 (spurious) with the following variation in the pāda d (variation already mentioned by Sircar 1965: note 2, 196):

Anuṣṭubh

The verse is quoted in the Penukonda Plates of Mādhava II (III), verse 3 line 19 (see Rice 1917–1918) and on copper-plates of the Jaina-basti in ruins at Noṇamaṅgala (see Epigraphia Carnatica, volume X, Malur, n°72, DHARMA IS: INSEC10Mr072) with the following variation in the pāda d:

Anuṣṭubh

The verse is quoted in the Upalada Plates of Rāṇaka Rāmadeva, lines 13-15 (Chhabra 1935–1936) with the following variation in the pāda d:

Anuṣṭubh

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

Sircar's reference : CII, Vol. III, p. 289.

Occurences found in the DHARMA database :

• Grant of a certain geographical property under the rule of Vaidumba-Mutturāju (mentioned by Sircar 1965)
• Mḻopaṟṟu grant probably of Maṅgi Yuvarāja (mentioned by Sircar 1965)
• Bargarh copper plate of Maharaja Narayan Singh of Sambalpur
• Sirsi Grant of Kr̥ṣṇavarman, Year 19
• Copper plates of Kṛṣṇa-deva Temple at Toṇḍanūr (Tirumalasāgara-chatra hobli)
• Ciṉṉamaṉūr plates (smaller set), circa 750–810 CE (Francis, forthcoming)
• Inscriptions numbered 1, 3, 4, 8, 15, 17, 18, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 39, (60), 63, 64, 67, 68, 71, 74, 78, 79 in Chhabra 1957: appendix A, 179

The king who does not rescue or sustain what is given by himself or given by another, surely (dhruvam) drinks the poison (named) Hālahala from birth to birth. translation given in DHARMA_INSEIAD00161

This variation is not quoted by Sircar 1965, but it is found in one of the earliest records of the Śālaṅkāyana dynasty. This prakrit inscription contains two final stanzas in sanskrit (see Krishna Rao 1955–1956 and Piḍiha grant (Kānukollu plates, set I) — reign of Nandivarman I, year 14 : in this inscription, a space precedes the sanskrit part of the inscription and the two stanzas are introduced by the word bhavati cātra).

The verse is quoted in the Charkari Plate of Devavarmandeva: [vikrama] samvat 1108, line 21 (see Hira Lal 1929–1930).

The verse is quoted in the Hansot Plates of the Chahamana Bhartrivaddha, Samvat 813, lines 28-29 (see Konow 1913–1914).

This variation is quoted in a stone inscription of the Nīlakanṇṭha temple at Hechche, see Epigraphia Carnatica, volume VIII, Sb 477 (DHARMA ID: INSEC08Sb477).

To him that robs land given by himself or by others, there is no expiation anywhere except in the dreadful hell.

See the Vēḷvikkuṭi Grant, time of Neṭuñcaṭaiyaṉ, year 3, verse 22 (Krishna Sastri 1923–1924.

The verse is quoted in the Malgā Plates of Indrabala, Year 11 lines 22-23 (= Malga plates of Samanta Indraraja, lines 22-23; see Sircar and Sankaranarayanan 1959–1960).

This verse is quoted in the Upalada Plates of Ranaka Ramadeva, lines 11-13 (Chhabra 1935–1936) and is followed by a variation of best_0132_03.

This variation is quoted in the Ipur plates of Madhavavarman II, line 13 (see Hultzsch 1923–1924).

The one who would steal land rich of crops becomes a worm in excrement and is cooked with his ancestors.

his verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 127, № 21 bis. Pargiter 1912: 250 mentioned this verse as a customary one. Sircar 1965: note 2, 196 quotes this variation.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions :

• Karitalai Charter of Jayanātha, year 174 (majjati in pāda d)
• Khoh Charter 1 of Śarvanātha, year 177 (majyate in pāda d)
• Khoh Charter 1 of Śarvanātha, year 193 (majjate in pāda d)
• Khoh Final Charter Fragment of Śarvanātha, year 197 (majjate in pāda d)
• Sohawal Charter of Śarvanātha, year 191(majjate in pāda d)
• Katni Charter of Jayanātha, year 182 (majjati in pāda d)

A daughter given by oneself, a nurse, a girl given by her father, a sister born of the same womb, a girl given by another and one's own mother should abandon the land given to them.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• A copper plate at Kaṭṭepura (Rice 1914: № 11, Epigraphia Carnatica, volume 1 n° 11; reference quoted by Sircar 1965: note 1, 197)

The verse is quoted with slight variations on a stone inscription in the Śaṅkara temple at Sogāne agrahara, see Epigraphia Carnatica, volume VII, Sh 54 (DHARMA ID: INSEC07Sh054).

Anuṣṭubh

Another slight variation can be read in a copper plate belonging to Kûdḷi Śṛiṅgêri matt at Kûdli, see Epigraphia Carnatica, volume VII, Sh 79 (DHARMA ID: INSEC07Sh079)

Anuṣṭubh

By giving even a small piece of land with faith, one goes to Brahmā abode from which there is no return.

It is possible (i.e. easy) to give away what is yours, [even if it is] a great thing; [but] it is hard to preserve the property of another. [When it comes to] the question, “donation or preservation [of previous grants]?”—[the answer is that] preservation is superior to donation.

This verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 127, № 25. Kane 1941: 1273 attributes the number 7 to this stanza in his list.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• IN01036 = DHARMA_INSSiddham01036 = Bannahaḷḷi Grant of Kr̥ṣṇavarman II, Year 7, lines 22-23. See Kielhorn 1900–1901: s.v. B, 16–20 = EI6 p.19 (reference given by Sircar 1965: note 3, 197
• IN01026 = DHARMA_INSSiddham01026 = Devagiri Grant of Devavarman line 12
• IN01025 = DHARMA_INSSiddham01025 = Akki-Ālūr (Kir̥ukuppuṭūra) Grant of Kr̥ṣṇavarman II, Year 15 lines 16-17
• Sasanakota Plates of Ganga Madhavavarman, 1st year, lines 21-23 (Krishnamacharlu 1937–1938 = EI24, p.239 "about the fourth-fifth century")
• Penukonda Plates of Madhava II (III), line 18 (Rice 1917–1918 =EI14, p. 335 "475 CE")
• IN01026 = DHARMA_INSSiddham01026 = Devagiri Grant of Devavarman, line 12
• IN01032 = DHARMA_INSSiddham01032 = Kasipura Grant of Ravivarman line 14

The protection of one's own good deeds is to be cherished, as it is the protection of the gods. Even Hari, the creator of the lotus-seated one, was always worshipped by the worlds.

In his introduction, Sircar 1965: note 3, 174–175 classifies this stanza as not a quotation but a stanza composed by a court poet.

Neither thousands of tank consecrations, neither hundreds of Vājapeya sacrifices, nor millions of cow-gifts could purify a land-thief.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

This verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 123, № 7. Kane 1941: 1276 attributes the number 37.

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Satalma plates of Mahābhavagupta Janamejaya year 8 verse 8

Fortune is like lightning, the body is also like a blazing fire, the existence ends with solely misery; for those who destroy the good acts performed by others there is no fame and in this world for those who protect them with effort the glory last as long as the moon and the stars last. Having this in mind, the kings should act as it is prescribed in the scriptures.

In his introduction, Sircar 1965: note 3, 174–175 classifies this stanza as not a quotation but a stanza composed by a court poet.

No such merit is generated for us kings when we give land, as that which occurs when we protect the foundation of another.

This verse was identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 123, № 8

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the verse VII, lines 28-29 of Sātārā plates of Viṣṇuvardhana I, reference already given by Lévi 1908: page 123, № 8.

The very hot sun does not shine nor does the fierce wind blow

In his introduction, Sircar 1965: note 3, 174–175 classifies this stanza as not a quotation but a stanza composed by a court poet.

Knowing that life is a water-buble or like a drop of water on the tip of a blade of grass, one should not destroyed one's fame and dharma.

Three gifts are said to be supreme: cows, land and knowledge. Their fruits last for seven generations through milking, carrying and teaching.

Kane 1941: 1276 attributes the number 35.

The gift made by speech, the one made by mind and the one made with the hand, the kuśa grass and water, one who steals these three kinds of gift would go to the terrible hell.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

This stanza can be read in the following inscriptions:

• Inscriptions numbered 4 and 12 in Chhabra 1957: appendix A, 178 (reference given by Sircar 1965)

By offering fire, the son of fire and water, he is born five timesThe word pañca-kr̥tvaḥis an emendation made by Hultzsch. , but by offering all the earth rasā, the mortal is not born again.

The one who gives water obtains satisfaction, the one who gives food an eternal bliss, the one who offers sesame seeds is fulfilled with the wished descendance, like the one who gives a lamp, o best of the Kurus, the one who gives land obtains all including a long life.

This sovereignty of the earth totters like the wind and the clouds; the enjoyment of realm is sweet but for an instant; the breath of man is like a drop of water on the tip of a blade of grass. Only religious merit is the friend on the journey to the other world. (translation EI24_12 p.217)

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• IA6, p.55-56 = Inscription at Ingnoda, lines 13-14 Kirtane 1877 (reference given by Sircar 1965: note 2, 199)
• EI24_42 = Lucknow museum plate of Jayacchandradeva, V.S. 1237, lines 34-35 Chakravarti 1937–1938 (reference given by Sircar 1965: note 2, 199) with a minor variation on the pāda b
• EI35_20 = Spurious grant of Gāhaḍavāla Vijayacandra, Vikrama 1223, lines 34-35, Sircar 1962–1963 (not noticed by Sircar 1965

Kane 1941: 1275 attributes the number 30 to this stanza in his list.

The sages and the gods say sentences composed from the memory of the words of the veda; You, land thieves and others, alas, that you do not steal out of folly !

Having understood that the the world stability is trembling like a lightning, with Your minds intensely attached to fame, rejoicing only and always in doing good for others, engaged in the propitiation of the dharma, You should approve [of this].

That one who takes away that which has been sanctioned (aṅkita) by (a royal) decree (śāsana) incurs the fate of one who murders his lord, cows, Brahmins, children, women or ascetics.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions:

• Parla-Kimedi Plates of the Mahārāja Indravarman, the year 91, Fleet 1876: 131–134 (reference given by Sircar 1965
• Peddāpurappāḍu plates (set 2) of Viṣṇuvardhana II (verse III, lines 22-23)
• Copper plates from Kondavidu (set II) — reign of Pṛthivīśrīmūla, year 43
• Copper plates from Kondavidu (set III) — reign of Pr̥thivīśrīmūla, year 43 lines 20-21

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

The following variation can be read in Copper plates from Godavari district (set II) — reign of Pr̥thivīśrīmūla, lines 27-30 (period 400-600 CE, Andhra Pradesh)

Anuṣṭubh

Those who steal ancient gifts are reborn as black serpents dwelling in hollow tress in the dried up forests of the Vindhya mountains.

This stanza appears with the following modifications here:

Some variations in the pādas a and b (not quoted by Sircar 1965) can be read in Paharpur Charter of the Time of Budhagupta line 25 (identical to Paharpur Charter of the Time of Budhagupta):

Anuṣṭubh

Some variations in the pādas a and b (not quoted by Sircar 1965 but identified as a formulaic stanza by Lévi 1908: page 126, № 20) can be read in Jagadispur Charter of the Time of Kumāragupta I line 27-28 :

Anuṣṭubh

The Gadag Inscription of Vira-Ballala II, śaka samvat 1114, lines 52-53 Lüders 1900–1901 has the following reading:

Anuṣṭubh

The Samgamner Copper-plate Inscription of the Yadava Bhillama II, the śaka year 922, lines 103-104 Kielhorn 1894 has the following reading:

Anuṣṭubh

Appart for the spelling differences, this stanza identically appears in :

See the following inscriptions: