1) The document discusses the history of Sanskrit inscriptions dating back to the 6th century AD in Thailand, including an inscription mentioning Rama and Lakshmana found in Petchaboon province. 2) It describes how the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas arrived in Thailand during the reign of King Bhavavarman I in the 6th-7th century CE and became popular, as evidenced by bas-reliefs found in Thailand and Cambodia. 3) An inscription found in Thailand in 2019 mentioning the cities of Hastinapura and Dvaravati from the Mahabharata indicates it was known in central Thailand in the 6th century CE.

1. Founder Dr. Chirapat Prapandvidya, Director Dr. Sombat Mangmeesuksiri,
Advisor Dr. Satya Vrat Shastri

3. Curriculums are being designed using Shastri’s book on Sanskit in Thailand and the Ramayana

6. Inscrip
Dr. Chirapat Prapandvidya
PrentedAt 2nd International Ramayana Conference
January 26-29, 2020
Jabalpur India
History of Sanskrit inscriptions 6th century AD Thailand

7. A fragment of an
inscription mentioning
the names of Rāma
and Lakṣmaṇa and
also the word
“vaiṣṇava”, found in
Thailand at Mueang
Sithep district,
Petchaboon province,
dating to cir. 6th -7th
century CE. It was
written with Brāhmῑ
script used during the
Pallava dynasty of
South India.

8. Epigraphic evidence clearly indicates the arrival of the Rāmāyaṇa,
the Mahābhārata and the Purāṇas in the reign of King Bhavavarman I,
the first king of Chenla, the pre-Angkorian Khmer kingdom (around the
end of 6th century to beginning of 7th century CE) and the endeavor to
popularize them (Majumdar 1953, 18-19; Sarkar 1986, 60).
Illustrations of the Rāmāyaṇa in the form of bas-reliefs found in
Thailand (fig.1 and 2) and Cambodia indicate that the Vālmīki
Rāmāyaṇa (Henceforth VR) was known in Thailand not later than 11th
century CE, (Varasarin 1986, 33 ff) and it was still popular in Cambodia
till the reign of King Jayavarman, VII (1181-cir.1218), as attested by
several bas-reliefs being carved at several temples.

9. Veal Kantel Inscription
Translation into English by Chirapat Prapandvidya
Verse 1-3. Somaśarman, the foremost leader of those who were well-versed
in the Sāmaveda, who was the moon among the Brāhmaṇas, the lord of
Ākṛti (Ākṛtisvāmῑ), erected a Śivaliṅga named Śrītribhuvaneśvara together
with the image of a Sun God with great honor and with exceedingly rich
gifts to Brāhmaṇas. He married the Śrῑvῑravarman’s Daughter, King
Bhvavarman’s sister, who was righteous and devoted to her husband, who
was, as it were, a second Arundhati who later became Hiranyavarman’s
mother.
Verse 4. He (Somaśarman) gave the complete Mahabharata, along with the
Ramayana and the Purānas, and arranged the reading of those texts every
day without break and it became a permanent practice.

10. The discovery, in November 2019, of an inscription
in Sanskrit written in Brāhmī script which was used
in Pallava dynasty of South India and which dates to
cir. 6th century CE (fig. 1), confirms the historical
and cultural relations between India and Thailand
of that period. Two famous cities of the
Mahābhārta, Hastināpura and Dvāravatī, are
mentioned in the inscription. This indicates that the
Mahābhārta was known to the people of that period
in the central part of Thailand, where the
inscription was found.
Dr. Chirapat Prapandvidya Inscription 6th century

11. The Ramayana in Ayudhya
The Ramayana is known in Ayudhyāwhen De la Loubère
visited the city as evidenced by his memoire
mentioning one of the entertainments of the people of
Ayudhyāwas Cône, the mask drama. (Loubère: 217) This
is definitely the same as Khon performance which
existed also in Bangkok period till today. De la Loubère
was the French envoy who came to Ayudhyā and stayed
there from September 27, 1687 to January 1, 1688. (Ibid:
4).
It is not known whether the Rāmayaṇa in the form of
literature existed in Ayudhyāas there was no such
literature came down to us.

12. Foundation of Ayudhyā
According to different versions of chronicles, the Capital
City of Ayutthaya was established in 712, a year of the tiger,
on Friday, the sixth day of waxing moon of the fifth month,
at three nalika and nine bat. After three palaces were built
King Uthong entered the city and ascended the throne. The
Brahmans bestowed upon him the royal full title of Somdec
Brah Rāmādhibodῑ Śrῑ Sundara-parama-pavitra Bra Buddha
Cau Yu Hua Krung Deva-Dvārāvatī Śrῑ-Ayudhyā
mahātilakabhava-navaratna-rājadhānῑ-purῑramya. The year
712 is Cula-Śaka era corresponding to 1351 CE. The king’s
title may be rendered as follows:

14. The project: In the footsteps of Lord Rama in
Thailand
Team of Researchers: 1) Dr.Chirapat Prapandvidya, Sanskrit
Studies Centre, Silpakorn University 2) Acharya Chariya
Thamboon, College of Art, Department of Fine Art
3) Mr. Sushil Kumar Dhanuka
Sponsor egency : Ayodhya Research Institute, India

15. Rama and
Phra Lak
while
searching
for Sita meet
Hanuman
who submits
himself and
volunteer to
help them in
their search
for Sita

16. Dosakanth asks Maiyarab
(Mahiravana) to capture
Rama with his powerful
mantra and herbal that
induces sleep. In order to
protect Rama and Phra
Lak, Hanuman
keepsnthem in his mouth.
In spite of that
Maiyarab is successful in
using his power to carry
away Rama to his abode
in Patala.

17. Rama’s army returns
to Ayodhya.