Image: Hathibada Brahmi Inscription at Nagari, Hinduism Sanskrit India

Description: This is one of oldest Sanskrit inscription related to Hinduism. It is a much-studied Brahmi script inscription, generally accepted to be from the 1st century BCE or earlier. Buhler stated that the alphabet is one that prevailed in 4th or 3rd century BCE. Bhandarkar, after a long analysis, stated that this must be from early 1st century BCE. The inscription mentions the worship of Vasudeva (Krishna) and Samkarshana, as well as a temple (puja-shila-prakara). The complete inscription, what is surviving of it, states that this temple was built by Gajayana Sarvatata, son of a lady named Parasaragotra. The mentioned Hindu gods appear in ancient Hindu texts, the Mahabharata, the Jain texts and the Buddhist Jataka tales. This inscription is one of the many pieces of evidence for the existence of Vaishnavism, or one of its ancient roots, in 1st millennium BCE. This is a photographs of 2000+ year old inscription (2D Art). Made from a personal copy of the following book. Note that PD-Art guidelines apply, since the original creator of this artwork lived many centuries ago. Any rights I have are herewith donated with Wikimedia Creative Commons 4.0 license. NP Chakravarti (1934), Epigraphia Indica Volume 22.
Title: Hathibada Brahmi Inscription at Nagari, Hinduism Sanskrit India
Credit: Own work
Author: Ms Sarah Welch
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No