The Sang Thewarup Inscription as The Vat Phu Inscription (K. 366) from Vat Phu Temple, Lao PDR: A Proposed Translation from Sanskrit into Thai and Commentary

Abstract

The Sang Thewarup inscription published in Inscriptions in Thailand, Volume 4 provides no evidence regarding the date of discovery, the place of discovery, and the discoverer. In fact, this inscription corresponds to the Vat Phu Inscription (K. 366), which was discovered at Vat Phu in Champasak Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, previously published by George Cœdès in Inscriptions du Cambodge, Volume V. The inscription was composed in Sanskrit and Old Khmer, inscribed in Old Khmer script, and dated to Śaka 1061 (1139 CE). The Old Khmer texts were translated into Thai by the Fine Arts Department; however, the Sanskrit texts have not yet been translated. Therefore, the objective of this article is to translate the Sanskrit texts into Thai and to provide commentary on their content. The translation reveals that the Sanskrit portion of the inscription consists of an invocation to Śiva, references to the Śivaliṅga named Bhadareśvara in Liṅgapura, the year of King Suryavarman II’s accession to the throne, the enshrinement of Hindu sculptures by a Brahmin master, the endowment of land and slaves, as well as sections concerning curses and blessings. Since this inscription is severely damaged, its contents are incomplete. Nevertheless, the surviving portions may still be valuable as historical and archaeological evidence for further study.