SaraD96423049267 at 02:47, 20 March 2025

2025-03-20T02:47:47Z

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{{Short description|Inscription from c. 1000 in central India}}
The '''Grahapati Kokkala inscription''' is an epigraphic record documenting the dedication of a Shiva temple. It dates to 1000-1001 CE. It is one of several Chandella era inscriptions that mention a Grahapati family.<ref>Inscriptions of the Chandellas of Jejakbhukti,Ed. H.V. Trivedi, 1989, p. 456.</ref>

It is the earliest known reference to a Grahapati family.<ref>Svasti Śrī: Dr. B.Ch. Chhabra felicitation volume, K. V. Ramesh, Agam Prasad, S. P. Tewari, p. 139</ref> Unlike all other [[Chandella]] era [[Grahapati]] inscriptions which are Jain, this refers to a Shiva temple,<ref>Lalit kalā, Issue 10, Lalit Kala Akademi,1961, p. 64</ref> although Verse 3 suggests that the builder also worshipped Jinas.

==Location==
It was found somewhere in [[Khajuraho]] or its vivicinity, and is currently located in the [[Vishvanatha Temple, Khajuraho|Vishvanath temple]] there.<ref>The Early Rulers of Khajuraho, S.K. Mitra, 1958, Motilal Banarasidas, p. 224</ref>

==Publication==
The inscription was first published by [[Alexander Cunningham | Cunningham]],<ref>Epigraphica Indica, Pt I, 1888, p. 135-36</ref> and has since been published in several books.<ref>Khajuraho, Kanhiayalal Agrawal, The MacMillan Company of India, 1980, p. 141-146</ref>

==Description and contents==
The inscription at [[Khajuraho]], dated Samvat 1056, Kartika (1000–1001 AD), is engraved on a slab and records the dedication of a temple termed Vidyanatha temple.<ref>Epigraphica Indica, Pt I, p. 135-36</ref> The current location of the Vidyanatha temple is uncertain; the inscription slab has been fixed to the [[Vishvanatha Temple, Khajuraho|Vishvanath temple]].<ref>Kharjuravahaka, D. J. Kale, 1967, p. 123</ref> Cunningham had identified the [[Beejamandal|Beejamandal temple]] at Jatkara village near Khajuraho as the Vishvanath temple.<ref>Reports By Archaeological Survey of India By Archaeological Survey of India Published 1880, Cunningham</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Cunningham|first1=Alexander|title=Report of Tours in Bundelkhand and Malwa in 1874-75 and 1876-77|date=1880|publisher=Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing|location=8 Hastings Street, Calcutta|page=[https://archive.org/details/reporttoursinbu01cunngoog/page/n33 22]|url=https://archive.org/details/reporttoursinbu01cunngoog|accessdate=8 May 2017}}</ref>

==Metrics==
Most of the inscription is metrical, with the exception of the initial invocation to Shiva and the samvat at the end.

==Text==
It is a large 22 line text.<ref>Khajuraho, Kanhiayalal Agrawal, The MacMillan Company of India, 1980, p. 141-146</ref> It starts with invocation Om Namah Shivaya.
* Verses 1-2: Invocation of Lord Shiva.
* Verse 3: Equates Shiva with Parama Brahma, Buddha, Vaman, Jina etc.
* Verses 5-7: Praise of the [[Padmavati Pawaya|Padmavati]] city.
* Verses 8-14: Praises a family lineage of Grahapai Vamsha leading to Kokkala.
* Verses 15-21: Describe a town and the Vaidyanath temple built by Kokkala.

==Translation==
Translations are provided by Kanhiayalal Agrawal <ref>Khajuraho, Kanhiayalal Agrawal, The MacMillan Company of India, 1980, p. 141-146</ref> and Kale<ref>Kharjuravahaka, D. J. Kale, 1967</ref>

==See also==
*[[Indian inscriptions]]
* [[Khajuraho]]
* [[Padmavati Pawaya]]
* [[Beejamandal]]

==Notes==
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://www.bcmtouring.com/pics/khajuraho/35-ancient-language-at-visvanatha-temple.jpg A photograph] of this inscription outside Vishvanth temple in Khajuraho.

[[Category:Sanskrit inscriptions in India]]
[[Category:Gupta and post-Gupta inscriptions]]

Grahapati Kokkala inscription - Revision history

SaraD96423049267 at 02:47, 20 March 2025