# SII 12.12: original edition by V. Venkatasubba Ayyar

Emmanuel Francis

Alternative title: MAHENDRAVARMAN I. No. 12. (A.R. No. 51 of 1905).
MAṆḌAGAPPAṬṬU, VILLUPURAM TALUK, SOUTH ARCOT DISTRICT. ON A PILLAR IN
THE MAṆḌAPA OF THE ROCK-CUT CAVE

Author of digital edition: Emmanuel Francis

Identifier: DHARMA_INSSIIv12p0i0012

Repository: SII original (south-indian-inscriptions)

File path: SII_B_clean/SII12/DHARMA_INSSIIv12p0i0012.xml

Language: Undetermined [Script (unspecified)]

Commit: 2026-11-09 23:45 (242ff60), last modified 2026-09-29 11:08
(2b36d53)

## Summary

This is an important inscription in Sanskrit verse which states that the
rock-cut shrine was caused to be made by king Vichitrachitta for the
enshrinement of the three gods Brahmā, Īśvara and Vishṇu, without the
use of bricks, timber, metal and mortar. Since from Pallava inscriptions
we know that Mahēndravarman I had the biruda ‘Vichitra-chitta’ (i.e.)
curious or fancy-minded, this cave must have been excavated by him.

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## Commentary

Published in Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XVII, page 17.

## Bibliography

Digital edition of SII 12.12 by Venkatasubba Ayyar & Krishnamacharlu
1943 converted to DHARMA conventions by Emmanuel Francis.

### Primary

[SII] Venkatasubba Ayyar, V. & C. R. Krishnamacharlu. 1943. South Indian
inscriptions. Volume XII: The Pallavas (with introductory notes in
English). South Indian Inscriptions 12. Madras: Government Press. Page
7, item 12.