IN03057 Puliyaṉ-kuḷam Slab-Inscription (C/8) of Udā Mahayā

[Lines 1-5] His Virtuous and Illustrious Excellency, the Chief Governor Udā was born unto His Illustrious Excellency, the Chief Governor Mihind who abounds in a multitude of all virtuous qualities, and is descended from the [royal] line of the Okkāka dynasty, the pinnacle of the illustrious Kṣatriya race. [He was born] from the womb of the queen Kitā of equal birth [as her consort], in the race which is like unto the crescent moon of the early . . ., shining in a clear sky.

[Lines 5-12] At the very instant of his birth he received the unction of governor and heir-apparent, and, flourishing with the prowess of a lion, he crushed the arrogance of all enemies.

Just as a great dark rain cloud, cooling a world that has become parched up by the heat of the fierce rays of the sun, pours down torrents of rain accompanied by widespread sheets of lightning and thunder, so His Excellency caused showers of gracious royal gifts, full of various gems, to pour down from the great rain cloud of compassion, filling the pond-like mind of many a poor man oppressed with the heat of [continual] begging.

[Lines 12-18] As an act of displaying publicly to the whole world his deep widespread faith in the ‘Triple Gem,’ His Excellency established [the monastery] Udā–Kitagbo–pavu, naming it after himself and his son Kitagbo ǟpā. He then graciously bestowed the four priestly requisites upon the twelve monks who are adorned with ornaments of distinctive virtues such as moderation in desires, contentment, and religious austerity, and who have come from the Puvaram–vehera of the Kapārā fraternity and have taken up their residence [at this monastery Udā-Kitagbo-pavu], performing the religious duties [attached thereto].

[Lines 18-24] He, moreover, searched for and ascertained means for the protection of villages, lands, serfs, and people belonging to the monastery. And accordingly on the tenth day [of the waning moon (?)] in the month of Äseḷa in the Äseḷa season of the twelfth year after the canopy [of sovereignty] was raised by Abā Salamevan, the great king who has crushed the overweening arrogance of various hosts of hostile kings in divers countries, and who, plunging into the sea of war, has brought to this auspicious Laṅkā fame, glory, and tributes with which he decorated his army of champion warriors, His Excellency instituted the [following] rules and observances:—

[Lines 25-33] Labourers, perenāṭṭu, and melāṭsi shall not enter the villages and lands appertaining to this [monastery]. Village oxen shall not be appropriated. The Guardians at Tusaya and Soliya shall not throw or set ropes with nooses to catch cattle. Royal officers shall not enter [the monastic lands] and cut down tal and mī trees. There shall reside twelve monks who have been allowed villages that supply robes to the priesthood. Whenever monks are required for any place here deficient [in the right number], the master of priestly duties [of this establishment] shall obtain them from the Vihāra of the master of ceremonies, who indicates the duties at the Saṅg–sana [monastery]. And no indulgence shall be shown to anyone of the monks from amongst them, who wishes to go and reside outside.

[Lines 33-44] Should there be any confusion caused by the laity or by the clergy in respect of the duties thus laid down, then those belonging to the thousand retainers of the house of the Mahayā shall settle it for the employees at the [monastery Udā-Kitagbo-]pavu, without raising agitation. Should there [still] exist matter which has not been settled by them, they shall settle it in consultation with the retainers also of the palace. Stewards shall grant the allowance without stinting. Should a dispute be caused by unfriendly monks or lords [of the country] in respect of San̆galnāvo [entitled] Sak-maha–ämäti who has been duly installed in the office of steward of this [monastery Udā-Kitagbo-]pavu, or in respect of his sons or grandsons, then the thousand retainers of the house of the Mahayā shall settle it.