This text is the inner inscription on the upper surface of a stone slab found lying on the maḷuva or terrace of the so-called ‘Kiri-vehera’ dāgaba in Poḷonnaruva, about eight or ten yards to the south-east of its south altar. The slab has two inscriptions. The first or outer inscription is engraved around all four edges of a large rectangular area, which covers almost the entire surface of slab. The second or inner inscription is engraved around all four edges of a smaller rectangular area, which is set within the first inscription. An ornamental border of swans (haṁsas) and foliage surrounds the outer inscription and a conventional crab and fish pattern frames the inner one.
Both inscriptions date from the reign of king Niśśaṅka-Malla. It is obvious from the contents of the two texts and from the few stumps of pillars still existing round the slab that it was originally situated inside a kūḍama or pavilion structure similar in style to the one at the Rankot-dāgaba (OB03067) and built about the same period, namely, between 1191 and 1196 A.D. The inscribed slab must have been the flagstone of a raised seat within the pavilion, from which the royalty was wont to worship the relics enshrined in the Kiri-vehera-dāgaba opposite.
The text of the first or outer inscription is the same as the Poḷonnaruva Stone Bath Slab Inscription (IN03088), the only exception being the concluding clause which indicates the pavilion (kūḍama), as the one from which His Majesty Kīrti Niśśaṅka-Malla worshipped the (Buddhist) relics.
His Majesty Śrī Vīra–rāja Niśśaṅka–Malla Aprati–Malla Kāliṅga Laṅk󠅛eśvara Parākrama–Bāhu Cakravarti, consistently with the title Niśśaṅka–Malla (dauntless warrior), being without any misgiving [as to his might] at any place, twice proceeded to the Pāṇḍyan country, escorted by his fourfold army and prepared to wage war with his unsurpassed might [upon Coḷa, Pāṇḍya, and various other kings]. Then the general Lak-Vijaya-sin̆gu Senevi Tāvuru–nāvan, declaring, ‘I alone suffice to secure the conquest of Dambadiva’, started forth to the war. Hearing this, the Pāṇḍyan king and his (royal) mother, being filled with fear, made entreaties, saying, ‘May Your Majesty be pleased to take possession of this kingdom, leaving to us only a village that will be enough for our maintenance’, and sent [as peace-offerings] royal maidens together with [elephants and horses. Seeing these and various other gifts from the Coḷa country, His Majesty quenched the fire of his indignation]. And he formed friendly alliances with such of the princes of [Karnāṭa, Nellūru, Gauḍa, Kaliṅga, Tiliṅga, Gurjara, Aramaṇa, Kamboja] and divers other countries as were desirous of his goodwill, but into those who did not wish such friendship he struck terror by the very superiority of his own valour. He, moreover, exacted from such kingdoms royal maidens and tributes. Thereafter, as there were no hostile kings, he mounted the scale-pans at Rām󠅛eśvara and (distributing tulābhāra alms) bestowed boundless wealth on the inhabitants of many a land. He also had pillars of victory set up there, as lasting monuments, and a temple (devālaya) built bearing the name Niśśaṅk󠅛eśvara. Then he returned to Laṅkā, escorted by his fourfold army, and had this pavilion (kūḍama) built for the purpose of worshipping the relics.
Other versions
Note: Incomplete and contains errors.
His Majesty the lord Wirarāja Niççamka Malla Kālinga Lamkeçwara Parākramabāhu cakrawartti Niççamka Malla in his glory, not hesitating in any way, surrounded by a four-fold army, went twice over to the kingdom of Pāndī . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the general Lag Wijaya Singha having conquered Dambadiwa going down to battle, at this time the mother of the King of Pandi being seized by terror (said) Let only our lives be spared, the kingdom shall be thine, etc.