Dear colleagues,
I am hoping for some guidance, likely from epigraphy specialists on this list. We commonly understand a primary meaning of the term *praśasti *to refer to royal panegyric, especially as occurring in inscriptions. I am trying to understand the history of this usage of the term. MWW lists “(metrical) eulogistic inscription” under the entry for *praśasti*, but then only cites MacDonell’s dictionary. I am aware of the use of the term as a label for such royal praise poems in Vidyākara’s Subhāṣitaratnakoṣa. I am wondering, however, if anyone can point me to clear attestations of the use of *praśasti* as a term specifically identifying poems in praise of a king, inscriptional or otherwise, prior to Vidyākara. Does the term, for instance, occur within such poems themselves, or in colophons? Is it found as a label in inscriptions that contain such royal praise poems? I should note that Prof Pollock kindly shared with me his article, “Praśasti and its Congeners: A Small Note on a Big Topic,” though it does not address the specific question I am asking here. Thanks for any leads you might have. Best, Dave -- David Buchta, PhD Senior Lecturer in Sanskrit Department of Classics Brown University
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