Kahaum

Kahaum Pillar Inscription of Skandagupta

Perfection has been attained! In the tranquil reign of Skandagupta, whose hall of audience is shaken by the wind caused by the falling down (in the act of performing obeisance) of the heads of a hundred kings; who is born in the lineage of the Guptas; whose fame is spread far and wide; who excels all others in prosperity; who resembles (the god) Shakra; (and) who is the lord of a hundred kings;-in the one hundredth year, increased by thirty and ten and one; the month Jyêshtha having arrived;-

(Line 5.)-In this jewel of a village, which is known by people under the name of Kakubha, (and) which is pure from association with holy men,-(there was) the high-minded Bhattisôma, who (was) the son of Sômila, that receptacle of many good qualities. His son (was) Rudrasôma, of great intellect and fame, who had the other appellation of Vyâghra. His son was Madra, who (was) especially full of affection for Brâhmans and religious preceptors and ascetics.

(L. 9.)-He, being alarmed when he observed the whole of this world (to be ever) passing through a succession of changes, acquired for himself a large mass of religious merit. (And by him),-having set up, for the sake of final beatitude (and) for the welfare of (all) existing beings, five excellent (images), made of stone, (of) those who led the way in the path of the Arhats who practise religious observances,-there was then planted in the ground this most beautiful pillar of stone, which resembles the tip of the summit of the best of mountains, (and) which confers fame (upon him).

From: Fleet, John F. Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum: Inscriptions of the Early Guptas. Vol. III. Calcutta: Government of India, Central Publications Branch, 1888, 67-68.