No. 38. Kanheri Buddhist cave inscription. Prakrit.

The inscription is on the right-hand side-wall outside the verandah of Cave No. 66. The inscription is faintly cut on the rough surface and therefore, is not distinct. Nearly most of the letters of first line have been peeled off. It measures 1.4 m x 40 cm. Letters 5 cm. x 3 cm. Characters: Brаhmи of 2nd Century A.D. Language: Prakrit. Orthography: Both 'ta' and 'na' have a loop. The medials are faintly visible. (ShG)
1847 Bird, Hist. Res. Plate XLVII, 26; 1861 West, JBBRAS VI, p. 10, No. 40, and Plate; 1883 Buфhler, ASWI V, p. 86, No. 29; 1896 note by Franke, ZDMG L, p. 599; 1908 note by Rapson, Catalogue of the Coins of the Andhra Dynasty, etc. p. LIII, No. 24; Luders list 1021; ShG No 39;
Lu: - Fragment. A cave (lенa), the gift of Nаgamulanikа (Nаgamуlа), daughter of a mahаrаja and a mahаbhоjи, a mahаraтhiни (wife of a mahаraтhi), mother of Khaмdanаgasаtaka (Skandanаgaщаtaka) and sister of the mahаbhоja AБhija (?) Dhенasенa (?), to the congregation of monks (bhikhusagha). Compare No. 1186 (Banavаsи No.1).
- . . . sa . . . . . . sava 9 (?) hеma . . sa dasamiya еtаya puvаya.

TEXT.

1. . . . . .sa . . . . ipula . . . . . . . . . sava . . . ma
2. . . . . sa dasamiya etа[ya] puvаya mahаrа[ja]bаlikаya
3. bа[likа]ya mahаraтhiнiya Khaмdanаgasаtaka-mаtuya mahа[bho]jasa [Ahi]-
4. [jasa] (?) cha Dheнaseнasa (?) bhagiнiya Nаgamulani[kа]ya leнa deyadhama
5. . . . . . . . . . bhikusaghe patiтhаpita[м] mа[tup]i[ta]rа [udi]sa kа . eнa a . . . .

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L. 2. ShG not read mahа[bho]jasa after mahаrа[ja]bаlikаya.