Materials for the Medieval History of Indonesia

506. Verily know all the world, that the Pandítas wrote on this object of veneration describing the greatness of the Rátu, and that the whole is inserted on a stone prepared for the purpose.

When first this large stone was considered a place of worship, people were accustomed to swear by it: it was held in great respect, and considered a repeller of impurity. To this is added, with truth and sincerity of heart, a relation of the perfection of the monarchy, the provinces of which are flourishing. His empire is renowned for the excellence of its laws, and his knowledge most evident and undoubted: the Rátu's name Srí Wíjáya, and place of residence Lórkoro. Certainly he is firm who gives stability to virtue. His Pepáti is named Bráta Witindra, celebrated in the world: whose advice is constantly had recourse to by the Rátu, and necessary to him like the berel of the ring to the stone, because he assists him in the conduct of affairs, and is quickly heard by he Dewás. When at war he can increase the arms an hundred-fold to annoy the foe. And that Páti is admired by the women; but this does not withdraw him from attention to the country, and the Rátu confides in the conduct of the Páti, and the Rátu gave orders to make images. No other than archas were made, fifty in number, all erect and they are deified, being placed to that end in order, on consecrated ground.

The Rátu is not sparing of his own property, and continues seeking the conduct of his chiefs. He arranges all kinds of pictures agreeable to their respective stations in the apartment of his queen. It is related of that kadáton, that figures of rhinoceroses are carved on the walls, which are railed with iron and barred across; its floor most clean and shining, and a stream of water running along the feat of the wall, with a flood-gate to open or shut exactly where it should be; and the chief of the watchmen distributes the guard to their respective posts.

Be watchful of such knowledge as is real. The virtue of good men is like gold which is hoarded up; apparently they possess nothing, but in reality what they develop is sharpened by addition: they are spoken of throughout their career as blameless until their death, their ashes are then adorned end embellished, as well as held in veneration, and the virtues these possess are very great and without fail. If difficulty should arise, do you ask assistance with a heart pure and undefiled; and if you have any urgent petition to make, do it with submission. Clothe yourself entirely clean, throw off what is not so, and what you have to bring forward let it be with propriety. When it is known to the deity what your wishes are, they will be quickly complied with openly to your satisfaction, and made to correspond with the devotion manifested. And the knowledge of what is requisite in sincere supplication is this: to punish yourself; to divest yourself of hearing; to reject evil-doing of all kind; to have your eye. fixed on one; to seek the road to the bestower of benefits; to desire without delay, and not to trifle. Yea, the formed stone which reverenced, is to be considered only a veiI between you and the real divinity. Continue to supplicate for whatever are your desires that they may be known: when the blood will have stopped three things your object will be gained; verily, it will be added in, there will be no obstacle to its full completion. By one saying your solicitation is directly expressed, and correctness of life is obtained. And what you say is like the sun and the moon: in proportion as reverence is paid to the deity, men know that their supplication will be listened to, and the Batára become familiar and much attached. Your existence will be as bright as the sun and its splendour, which is evident, truly beautiful. When you die you will be guarded and aggrandized, and not without companions. Such will be his lot who seek the good of the country, for he furthers the happiness of the people.

Do you observe this course until you excel in it. Make figures of stone like human beings, which may be supplicated; persons who reject them will suffer sickness and ruin until their death, which will be most bitter: on that account it is necessary to entreat and pray for the favour of the Déwas. Stones situated in places of worship are ornamented with many articles of state; they are feared by those who wish to ask forgiveness, and cannot be destroyed.

It is related, that only persons who are stedfast in the acquirement of letters, cause such is, the following to be made [...](1). Those will certainly serve the purpose of your forefathers, who have been the medium of existence; they are the veil which separates you from that which is exalted, and also written on the stone. Give credit to them in a moderate degree.

First, let aII pray to and seek the favour of the deity in this and the next world, and each require an interpreter who will obtain his pardon: but he must reject fickleness to active at is discrimination heart. Speak with reverence to your parents, their existence is replaced by those who are named after them. In the place of worship, when the ornament of good works is shewn, it is mentioned in the same manner as delight, as established gratification. It is difficult to cause advantage to the workings of the heart; your faith, which you received from Sang yang Sudriya and Sang yang Táya is acknowledged by the extent of your ability, and is different from other feelings.

Different are the rewards of those who come to heaven; happiness is bestowed on them; delightful their state; verily they have arrived in the land of silver. Whatever your reward at your death may be fixed at, when obtained it cannot be lost: all is settled, the whole is distributed, as well as the certainty of death. Truly you are directed to a place which exalted, pointed out by Déwas, who preside at death and become your guide; because the dead are mixed in a land which is wide and level, are given occupations and quickly go, each flying to the first place until they active at the seventh. Verily they at length come to the extremity with those who accompany: there are none among them who have been terrified: the existence of the body is dissolved and lost. There are none acquainted with books who are terrified.