inscriptions in the hassan district

Arkalgud Taluq. 257
64
Date 1647 A. D.
Obeisance to Rangesa. Praise of Sambhu and of the Boar. The lotus feet
of Rangesa do I reverence, pressed by the hands of Indira, having the Mandakini
for honey, worshipped by the gods. Sri do I ever seive, who, being born with
nectar and the moon, always exhibits sweetness in her looks and beauty in her
face to her dependents.
May the king Kanthirava-Narasa live in the earth as long as moon and
stars endure, together with his sons, grandsons, wealth, horses, elephants,
soldiers and friends. Praise of this king, who had placed all his buidens at
the two feet of Nrihari, a moon to the ocean the Soma-vainsa. Served by twice
eight fair ones holding chamaras in their hands, honoured with the emblems in
gold of the fish, conch, discus, and makara (or rhinoceios). The sasana of the
agrahara granted for the sake of dharma by the king Nri-Kanthiiava, revoreuced
by all people, is now here written.
From the lotus navel of him who full of meroy, the companion of Kamahl,
is encircled by the virgin daughter of Kavera (the Kaveri), was born Vidhi
(Brahma), with power to create the worlds. From that Vidhi was born the
muni Atri, and from his (Atri's) eyes the-moon (its praise). In the lino of
kings of the Soma-vamsa (or Lunar race) was born a divine wishing-stone,
the lotus-eyed (Vishnu) incarnate for the protection of the world A city filled
with all wealth that holy one created, an asylum for all men, which gained the
celebrated name of Mahishi, and placing it on the south of the stream of the
Kaveri, he stationed there those of his own (family) to make known his human
form. They did service to the goddess who was the guardian of Mahishipura,
who grants every reward to her devotees, and made hoi the family deity of
their line of kings. In that line, an ornament to the Soma-kula, who by his
gifts drove afar the tree of plenty, was born Chama-Raja, victor over all kings,
fulfilling the desires of the people, famed for biavery. From him was born
Betta-Chama-Raja, ever devoted to dharma, rising like the sun on th eastern
mountain, brave, kind and pure Sri (Fortune), though reputed to bo fickle,
remained permanently with the kings of this line. And Nrisimha being pleased
with this king's worship, gave him the boon that he would be born in his family.
Thus saying, Narahari was born a king from his womb In the fortunate
month named Madhava (VaiSakha), under the constellation Svati, during the
waxing moon, was he born, adorned with all good qualities, as if with a garland
of jewels. On the rising upon the earth of the moon Kanthirava-Narasimha,
the constellations shone bright, all the learned were provided with a living,
the waterhlies bloomed through the night, light pervaded all parts, and the
milk ocean of wealth rose high,—he was therefore the moon, was ho not?
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