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Kawgun Cave Mon
inscription
Kawgun cave, Hpagat. Karen State,
on the right bank of the Salween river 28 miles above Moulmein,
Burma. On the
robe of a standing
Buddha at Kawgun cave, (23 lines) engraved on the inside of
the hem ofthe robe under the left armpit of the
above-mentioned Buddha in Kawgun Cave. |
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Translation of Kawgun Cave robe of Buddha inscription
I, queen of Muntahma resident at Du’wop, carve
this Buddha statue. My disciples and I assertively make the
terra cotta Buddha images and carve stone Buddha statues in Du’wop and in
the province. I arouse other masters to carve stone Buddha.
Du’wop(query modern Hpa-an, a few
miles above Hpgat on the east bank of the Salwen?)
Munhtahma
(Martaben)
Translated by Nai Bee Htaw Monzel
22 Aug. 04, Copenhagen
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The ´Sri
Parame´svara-pâda inscription, Kawgun Cave,
The ´Sri
Parame´svara-pâda inscription, engraved low down on the
west wall near the entrance of the cave. 3 lines, still
undeciphered. Dated by Dr.L. D. Barnett 6th-7th centuries AD;
he writes: 'The only words that I can make out with any
certainty are Parame´svara-pâda, which occur more
than once; but whether it is the name of a King Parame´svara
or a title of the god, I am unable to say ..... It may ne ´Saiva,
but the word .... are not conclusive: they may mean "His
Majesty" ... But there is equally no evidence that it is
Buddhist.' |
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Large stane
relief, in two sections (rectangular below, flat-arching
above). Shows a Buddhist Triad, all standing in tribhanga
pose on lotus pedestals. The tal central figure, doubtless the
crowned Buddha with facr and head-dress defaced, wears royal
ornaments (necklace, armlets, belt, etc.), and raises his
right hand to the shoulder in vitarkamudrâ, and hangs
his large left hand in varadamudrâ. His two long robes
with pointed ends hang near his ankles. The much shorter
figures beside him are Brahmâ on the right (his left) with kirîtamukuta
and large ear-ornaments; and Indra on the left (his right)
with Jatâmukuta. The former was doubtless upholding
the great umbrella-pole (now invisible); the latter is
probably holding in front his vijayottara ´sankha. The
scene is clearly the Descent from Tâvatimsa. Above the two
gods, in the upper sections of the sculpture, in low relief
sit crowned figures with smaller crowned figures to left and
right of them, all in namaskâramudrâ. These should be
the denizens of Brohmâloka and Devaloka. This sculpture is
not mentioned by Temple. Height 4 ft. 6 in. Breadth 2 ft. 9
in. Thickness 7 in. |
| Broken stone
relief, once, it seems, a Buddhist Triad similar to
illustrating the Buddha's Descent from âvatimsa, between
Brahmâ and Indra. Brahmâ, with his kirîtamukuta and the
long pole of the lost umbrella, is still in evidence. But the
whole left side of the sculpture is lost, including Indra, and
the head, feet, and right arm of the Buddha, and his left arm
is damaged. His two long robes hang open, with thick ends
conspicuous near the ankles. He wears royal necklace,
waistband, pearly loincloth, and long flat sacred thread (upavîta)
looping from left shoulder to right thing. |
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Large stone relief
(rectangular, with flat-pointed top) showing the four-armed
Visnu sleeping cross-legged on ´Sesa, with Laksmî at his
feet. He holds his four attributes (conch, mallet, wheel, and
âmalaka?). The crowned seven-headed serpent is clearly
visible. Of the three gods on lotus thrones above, the
four-armed Visnu is highest in centre. Both he and ´Siva on
the right sit in ardhaparynkâsana, Brahmâ in padmâsana.
´Siva's two lower hands are in namaskâramudrâ. At
the sides beyond them, on the left, an A´svin (?Marut)comes
riding on horseback; on contain four kneeling worshippers or
dancers. This is perhaps the most remarkable of Mon's six olf
sculptures of Visnu Anantasayana. Height 4ft. 7 in. Breadth 2
ft. 7 in. Thickness 9 in. The image is not mentioned by Temple
or Ray. |
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