Eran (Madhya Pradesh). Estampage of Budhagupta pillar inscription (Zenodo).

Fleet, John F., Inscriptions of the Early Guptas (Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, vol. 3) (Calcutta: Government of India, Central Publications Branch, 1888): 90. Bhandarkar, Devadatta Ramakrishna, Bahadur Chand Chhabra, and Govind Swamirao Gai., Inscriptions of the Early Gupta Kings (New Delhi: Archaeological Survey of India, 1981): 339.

1) Victorious is the lord, the four-armed (Viṣṇu)—whose couch is the extensive waters of the four oceans; who is the sole cause of the continuance, production, and destruction, etc., of the universe; (and) whose ensign is Garuḍa!

2) When a century of years, increased by sixty-five (had elapsed); and while Budhagupta (is) the lord of the earth; on the twelfth lunar day of the bright fort-night of the month Āṣāḍha; on the day Suraguru; (or in figures) the year 100 (and) 60 (and) 5.

3) And while Suraśmicandra is governing, with the qualities of a protector of the people—(the province) between the Kālindī and the Narmadā—(and) is enjoying in the world the glory of (being) a mahārāja;

4-6) When this was the detailed order (of the date) regarding the year, month and day; by the mahārāja Mātṛviṣṇu who is excessively devoted to Bhagavān (Viṣṇu), who, by the will of destiny, was married by Sovereignty, as if by a maiden choosing herself (her own husband); whose fame extends up to the borders of the four oceans; whose wealth is unimpaired high-mindedness; (and) who has been victorious in battle against many enemies;

7) Who is the son of the son’s son of Indraviṣṇu, who was devoted to his religious rites, who performed sacrifices; who studied his Veda; who was a Brāhmaṇa sage; (and) who was the head of the Maitrāyaṇīya school of Yajurveda;—who is the son’s son of Varuṇaviṣṇu, who imitated the virtuous qualities of (his) father;—(and) who is the son of Haṛviṣṇu, who took after (his) father, (and) was the cause of the advancement of his race;

8) (By him) and his younger brother Dhanyaviṣṇu, who is obedient to him, (and) has been encircled by his favours,—this flag-staff of the divine (god) Janārdana, the destroyer of the demons, has been erected, for the purpose of increasing the religious merit of (their) parents.

9) May it be well to all the people, headed by the cows and the Brāhmaṇas!

 

Other versions