Dan Prakham Inscription

Name other

B.R. 2, K. 386

Script

Old Khmer

Date

18th Buddhist century

Language

Sanskrit

Face/Line

4 faces ; contains 72 lines of writing, face 1, 2 and 4 contains 24 lines, as regards face 3, the script dimly visible

Material

sandstone

Form

a square stone with dome shaped top

Size

33 cm. width ; 117 cm. height ; 32 cm. thick

Found at

Dan Pakham, Pa Kham Locality, Pa Kham District, (known as Dan Prakham Locality, Nang Rong District in previous information) Buri Ram Province

Exhibited

Kanchanaphisek National Museum, Khlong Ha Locality, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province

Description

The inscription begins with the verses for the worship of the Lord Buddha, followed by a panegyric for Phra Chao Jayavarman 7th. On face II, it mentions the king’s mission in constructing medical facilities (Arogayā Śāla), building the image of Vairocana Buddha, and arranging officials to work at medical facilities. The writing on face III is dimly visible. The inscription on face IV is the list followed by a royal command that prohibited people from hurting others and that whoever disobeyed the command would be punished. The inscription ends with the wish for Phra Chao Jayavarman 7th to be blessed with happiness as a result of this merit making.

Reference

Edited by : The Insctriptions in Thailand Database Project Staffs (2554 B.E.), SAC, from :
1) Cha-em Kaeokhlai, “Dan Prakham Inscription,” in The Inscriptions in Thailand volume 4 : Khom Script, 17th-18th Buddhist century (Bangkok : The National Library of Thailand, NLT, 2529), 189-201 (in Thai).
2) Cha-em Kaeokhlai, The inscriptions of Jayavarman VII (Bangkok : The National Library of Thailand, NLT, 2528), 19-25 (in Thai).

Illustrations

Photograph from : The inscriptions of Jayavarman VII (Bangkok : The National Library of Thailand, NLT, 2528)