Kambuj (Cambodia) Inscriptions- Neak Ta Dang Inscription of Jayavarman

As part of learning Sanskrit I have started going through some published inscriptions.My starting point is the book “Inscriptions of Kambuj ” by R C Majumdar. These are essentially Sanskrit inscriptions from the Hindu empires of greater India,the focus of this book being on Cambodia.

From time to time I will be posting regular translations of the inscriptions.As my knowledge of Sanskrit if rudimentary at best,these have been translated word by word by my father Prof.Yajneshwar Shastri. I am only stitching them into coherent sentences.Hence if the translation is not upto the mark,its my  responsibility.

I would appreciate corrections/suggestions from those who have an expert knowledge of Sanskrit.I would also appreciate if people knowledgeable in regional languages can translate these into Marathi,Gujarati ,Kannada,Hindi etc. We need to aim for a wider dispersal of this source material.

The first translation is of the Neak Ta Dang Inscription of Jayavarman (pg 1-2),which describes a grant of a golden image by his wife Kulaprabhavati Devi,from the year 467 CE. I am also posting a scan of the original text from the book for easy reference of the readers.I will try and post a glossary of words if possible.

Parts of the missing inscription are indicated by “…….”.

युञ्जन् – practising ,   योगमतः – according to yoga sutra,

 

1. “My lord Vishnu, (Who is ) practicing yoga, (whose) unimaginable body reclines on the bed which is in the shape of Adisesa, in the milky white room;

On (whose) stomach the three worlds are supported, and from whose navel arises the lotus (on which Lord Brahma sits), protect the chief queen of Sri Jayavarman.

 

2. (The Queen) named Kulaprabhavati,whose influence furthers the lineage,is the only one beheld by the victorious Jayavarma.

 

3. “Houses of Vipra’s (Brahmanas) in Kurumvanagara……..

Making the golden image………………………………………

(Being) Engrossed in the activity of work……..

Not partaking in the enjoyment of facilities…………..”

 

4. ” It is well known by all that the wife of the king is like : Shachi,the wife of Indra; the wife of Agni; Parvati,the wife of Hara (Lord Shiva) and like Lxami, the wife of Lord Vishnu.

A strong desire of seeing on earth Goddess Laxmi…….. (?)

 

5.” The beloved of Sri Jayavarman…………………

Making relations happy…………………………………….

Knowing that all enjoyment is transitory like bubbles of water……………………..

A small hut in the small lake in the pleasure garden……………………………..”