inscriptions in the hassan district

144 Arsikere Taluq.
From yojana to yojana were towns, many towns surrounded with gardens;
and from yojana to yojana many tanks filled with lotus; and from yojana to
yojana groves for travellers to rest in, — so that the Poysala-nad shone as an
abode fit for Manoja (the god of love). In that nad exalted was the great
agrahara Sarvvajnapura. In some streets were those reading the vedas, sastras
and six systems of tarkka; in some were ? mantapas for ? new shows; in some
Vishnu temples. Ever groups of Brahmans either reading the veda, or all at
once listening to some higher science, or without ceasing carrying on discussion
in logic, or joyously reciting puranas, or settling the meaning of all manner
of smriti, drama and poetry. To study, teaching, listening to good precepts
and the rules of their faith, were the Brahmans in Sarvvajnapura devoted.
As if no other than Brahma himself had come to this town in various forms
to show forth wisdom to the world, such were the 122 (Brahmans of the
place), — their greatness who can describe?
To the south of the Kaveri, which from being the residence of sri-Ranganatha
is the effectual remover of sin, is the Kerala country. Famed in the
world, in the Kerala country is Kolemuka-pattana, filled with Brahmans, and
with wealthy houses of Vaisyas,— faithful adherents of the goddess Bhadrakah
of Kudukundi,— and with shining ponds surrounded by gardens. And on the
west of Kolemuka, the Jahnavi (or Ganges), to think on which is the destruction
of sin, from favour to other regions came down from a mountain in Kerala
as the Pereru. To the ruler of the city of Kolemuka, Govmda, was born
Nambyakka, called Manavala, whose wife was Aucheru Nange. To them was
botn the world-famed Dama. Like Achyuta along with Siri in the milk-ocean,
surrounded with chief mums, — so, surrounded by Brahmans equal to Gautama,
Agastya, Vasishtha, Pulastya, Atri, Angira, Jamadagni, Gargga, Kapila, Bhngu,
and Kasyapa, he dwelt in happiness, the best of the Vaisya-kula,— Dama.
On one occasion, placing the lotus feet of Han by faith in his mind, he made
gifts to the Brahmans, of food; gold, jewels, cows, fine cloths, lands and
Brahman virgins, and the excellent Vaisya Dama was known as his father-inlaw's
lusty elephant This friend of the good and the learned, honoured in
the Poysala kingdom as Damodara-Setti, erected a Vishnu temple, and set up
therein Adi-Chenna-Kesava, Narasimba and Gdpinatha.
Be it well. The senior merchant, an expert in the examination of goods
and animals, the benefactor of both sects of the Naua Desk and of the chief
Brahmans of Maleyala, — Damodara-Setti, having obtained the assent of all the
Brahmans of Sarvvajnapura, which is Arakere, — for the decorations and
illuminations of the gods Chenna-Kesava, Lakshmi-Narasimha and Gdpala, for
the perpetual lamp, offerings, Chaitra purification, livelihood of the pujari,
servants, cook, garland-maker, body-guard, and for all the temple rites, bought
umbah lands free of all imposts and taxes, paying the price asked without