Marasuru Madivala inscriptions and hero stones

Marasuru Madivala is a village in Anekal Taluk of Bengaluru, in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is a historical settlement with a history of over a millennium, its significance lies in the discovery of an herostone-inscription and an ornate sculpture of Chamundi found in the village which is currently housed in a new mantapa. It is home to a 10th-century Someshwara temple, and a modern-day Nandi mantapa restored with 8th-century Ganga style stone pillars, Sati stones, hero-stones and a few ancient Jaina idols.

Digital Image of 9-10th Century Chamundi at Marasur Madivala. Picture Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Marasuru Madivala 9th-century Puniseyamma Hero-stone

It is a Kannada herostone inscription dated paleographically to the 9th century CE, it records the death of a Puniyasemma Gamunda. However, the reason for which he died is not known. The inscription was discovered by the Mythic Society Bengaluru Inscriptions 3D Digital Conservation Project team.

Puniseyamma Hero-stone
Digital Image of The Marasuru Madivala 9th-century Puniseyamma Hero-stone
Material	Stone
Height	140 cm (55 in)
Width	97 cm (38 in)
Writing	Kannada script
Discovered	Marasuru madivala, Anekal Taluk, Bengaluru
Present location	12.76165278°N 77.72380833°E / 12.76165278; 77.72380833
Language	Kannada

Transliteration of the inscription

The text is published in the Quarterly Journal of the Mythic society and Epigraphia carnatica volume 9, Anekal inscription 21.

Line Number	Kannada	IAST
1	ಪುಣಿಸೆಯ	puṇiseya
2	ಮ್ಮ ಗಾವು	mma gāvu
3	ಣ್ಡನು ದ.	ṇḍanu da.
4	.ಸತ.	sata
5	ರೂಗ ತೋ	rūga to
6	ರು ವದು	ru vadu

Marasuru Madivala 10th-century Butuga "Irivabedenga" Hero-stone

Butuga "Irivabedenga" Hero-stone
Digital Image of the Marasuru Madivala 10th-century Butuga "Irivabedenga" Hero-stone
Material	Stone
Height	131 cm (52 in)
Width	98 cm (39 in)
Writing	Kannada script
Present location	12.76165278°N 77.72380833°E / 12.76165278; 77.72380833
Language	Kannada

It is a Kannada inscription dated paleographically to the 10th century CE, the stone has a sculpture of a hero called Irivabedenga, he holds a bow in one hand and a dagger in the other hand, the text in the inscription is worn out, the full context of the inscription cannot be deciphered. The inscription mentions the term Butuga and Irivabedenga. Butuga was a Ganga king who ruled between 938 CE-961 CE in this region. Irivabedenga was a term used for an expert warrior (vide - Kannada Sahitya Parishat Kannada Nigantu).

Transliteration of the inscription

The text is published in the Quarterly Journal of the Mythic society.

Line Number	Kannada	IAST
1	ಸ್ವಸ್ತಿಶ್ರೀ ಬುತುಗನ ರಾಜ್ಯದ(ದೊ) ಳ್ .....	svastiśrī butugana rājyada(d) l .....
2	ವಳನ ಮಕ್ಕಳ್ ಇರಿವಬೆಡೆಙ್ಗ	valana makkal irivabḍṅga
3	. ಕಲತೊ	. . kalato
4	. ವಳ(ದ) ನು	. vala(da) nu
5	. ತ . .	. ta. .
6	. . ರು	. .ru
7	ಹವು	havu
8	ಣ(ನೊ).(ಳ್)	ṇa(n).(l)
9	ಲಹ	laha
10	. ವ(ಚ)	. va(ca)
11	.ಳ್ಕ ದಿ	.lka di
12	. ಸ	. sa

Marasuru Madivala Chamundi Sculpture

Digital Image Obtained by 3D Scanning of The Marasuru Madivala Chamundi sculpture. Picture Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

The Chamundi sculpture found in Marasuru Madivala village of Anekal Taluk is one of the most ornate sculptures of the deity found in south India. The goddess is depicted with an astabhuja (lit. Eight handed) with a face expressing raudra, the goddess holds a trishula (trident) piercing into a fallen demon, with her other hands holding different weapons like sword, dagger, ankusa, Naga, Damaru, shield, skull cup. She also wears a Yajnopavita (sacred thread) of skulls. Her full breasts are held by serpents and is depicted with two protruding fangs. All these characteristics are depicted to indicate the ferocious and wild nature of the goddess. She is also depicted with a sengol ascribing royalty to the goddess as a mark of devotion and respect.

Gallery

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  Marasuru Madivala herostones
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  Marasuru Madivala 9th-century Puniseyamma Hero-stone
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  Marasuru Madivala 10th-century Butuga "Irivabedenga" Hero-stone