Post No. 14,883
Date uploaded in London – 19 August 2025
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THE CHANGU NARAYAN PILLAR INSCRIPTION , NEPAL 464 CE
THE QUEEN AND THE PRINCE
His wife was the grand sree Rajyavatii
She was the offspring of a pure family, a Lakshmii
To his Visnu with all her virtues. And he loved her
More than life itself.
… he had shed the lustre of his fame over this whole world, but then he left
For the realm of the gods—it was peaceful like a trip
To a pleasure garden—but his wife suddenly collapsed
Wild with the fever of grief… utterly immobilised—
A woman before her separation from her husband
Was ever busy with rites and rituals and the feeding of the gods
Now this Queen Rajyavatii—called the king’s wife
But really his royal power incarnate
Was about to follow her husband,
Her thoughts fixed on the other world.
She came to her son, Prince Maanadeva, a man
Of faultless conduct, in beauty like autumn moon
And like the moon a delight to all the people
The words catching in her throat, drawing sighs
So slowly her, her face stained with tears she shed,
With deep emotion, “Your father has gone to Heaven
O my son, there is no reason for me to live,
Now that your father has passed away. My dear son,
Rule the kingdom, I will take the path,
My husband took, before the day is out.
How could I live without my husband, held back by the hope—
Which long years of mutual pleasure still arouse
Of being reunited with him, when that never could be
More than a dream or mirage? I am going “ she said
With determination. But then her broken hearted son
Touched his head to her feet in devotion and firmly spoke.
“What use would I have for pleasures, what possible joy
In living if I parted from you?
First I willgiveup my life—and only then
Can you go from this world to heaven”. These words of his
Moistened with tears from his lotus eyes, were the cords
Of a net that trappedher like a bird. And trapped she she stayed….
Sheldon Pollock has translated the Sanskrit poem into English The inscription shows Kalidasa’s influence.
This epigraph and earlier Kumara Gupta’s Sanskrit epigraphs clearly show Kalidasa’s influence over a vast area from Madhya Pradesh to Nepal. More over irt shows that Kalidasa must have lived several centuries before these poems. Tha proved Art Historian Sivaramamurti’s view that Kalidasa lived before Gupta period because we could see his influence in Gupta sculptures.
The important points to be noted here are similes used by the poet. Kalidasa used similes mostly in good auspicious context. Here similes are not missed even it is about king’s death and queen’s grief.
Around the same time, we have over 1000 Sanskrit inscriptions from Central Asia to Southeast Asia. We know that Sanskrit is spoken or understood over a vast area. Moreover, Vedic sacrifices and Vedic Gods are also mentioned in those inscriptions.
***
The Cangu Narayan Pillar Inscription is a significant ancient inscription found in Nepal, primarily documenting the reign of King Mānadeva and his lineage. It is located at the Cangu Narayan Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The inscription is divided into three sections, each etched on a different side of the pillar. These sections provide insights into the political, social, and religious landscape of the Licchavi period in Nepal.
Key aspects of the inscription:
- King Mānadeva’s Reign:
The inscription details King Mānavanadeva’s lineage, his mother Queen Rājyavatī, and his accomplishments.
- Social and Religious Context:
It sheds light on the social structure, religious beliefs, and practices of the time, including references to deities like Vishnu (Hari), Lakshmi, and the concept of sati (widow immolation).
- Political Events:
The inscription also records military campaigns and territorial conquests during Mānadeva’s reign, particularly his western expedition.
- Licchavi Dynasty:
The inscription provides valuable evidence about the Licchavi dynasty, which played a crucial role in Nepali history.
Specific details from the inscription sections:
- East Side:
Describes King Vṛṣadeva, his virtues, and his rule, highlighting his prowess and the well-behaved nature of his sons.
- North Side:
Focuses on Queen Rājyavatī, her grief over her husband’s death, and her son Mānadeva’s ascension to the throne.
- West Side:
Narrates Mānadeva’s military expedition to the western lands, his victory over a rebellious feudatory, and his generosity towards Brahmins.
The inscription is a crucial historical document for understanding the Licchavi period in Nepal, offering valuable information about the political, social, and religious landscape of the time.
–subham—
Tags- Nepal, Changu Narayan Pillar, Sanskrit, Poetry inscription, Queen and Prince,
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