Myazedi inscription


The Myazedi inscription, inscribed in 1113, is an inscription of the same proclamation in four languages: Old Burmese, Pali, Old Mon and Pyu. The four texts are found in nearly identical form on two stone pillars. They all tell the story of Prince Yazakumar and King Kyansittha. The Myazedi inscription has been a vital key to deciphering the Pyu language and script, and is also an important early example of the Burmese language. It is recognised in the Memory of the World Register by UNESCO.

Stone pillars

The inscription is found in almost-identical copies on two stone pillars, both of which were discovered by Swiss Pali scholar Emanuel Forchhammer in 1886–1887 near the Myazedi pagoda, Myinkaba, Bagan. "Myazedi" means 'emerald stupa'.
  • Pillar A stands tall, with a square cross-section wide. It is currently on display in the Bagan Archaeological Museum. On the sides are 39 lines of Old Burmese, 41 lines of Pali, 33 lines of Old Mon and 26 lines of Pyu.
  • Pillar B stands tall, with a cross-section of. It was found in pieces near the Gubyaukgyi Temple and in the Myazedi pagoda. The re-assembled pillar is now housed in a shelter on the grounds of the Myazedi pagoda. On the sides are 34 lines of Old Burmese, 40 lines of Pali, 46 lines of Old Mon and 29 lines of Pyu.
The Old Burmese, Pali and Old Mon inscriptions are written in the 12th-century Mon–Burmese script. The Pyu inscription is written in the Pyu script, but lacks final consonants except on lines 2 and 3 of pillar B.

Translation

The inscription can be generally divided into three categories, donation, wish and curse. The nearest translation is as follows:

Analysis

Typical Bagan handwriting was either rectangular or circular in shape, but in this inscription, the handwriting resembles Tamarind seeds. Being the beginning of Myanmar Literature, some words were not written systematically, that is, the consonants and vowels were separated.
There were only words for the first person. "I" and "my". Instead of "he", Yazakumar referred to himself as "The son of the beloved wife" and "it" was "this". Some words had archaic meanings.
Yazakumar referred to his father as Śrī Tribhuvanāditya Dhammarāja, meaning "The king who can enlighten all three worlds like the sun", his mother as Trilokavaṭansakā devi and the Pagan Empire as Arimaddanāpura Empire, respectively.
The purpose of the donation category is to let people appreciate their deeds. The wishing category is part of the tradition of Buddhism. The main intention of writing curse to preserve the donations and to prevent donated structures from being damaged.
From this inscription, the reign periods of Kyansittha, Anawrahta, Saw Lu, and Alaungsithu can be calculated, old Pyu Language can be learnt, and Yazakumar's respect and love for his father can be observed.