Page:Origins of Sukhodaya dynasty - Coedes - 1921.pdf/7

 engaged in combat. Phō Khun Bāng Klāng Thāo sent to warn Phō Khun Phā Mu'ang. Phō Khun Phā Mu'ang … … … the bold Khōm Khloñ Lāmphong was completely vanquished" (ll.23 to 27).

In spite of regrettable gaps, this passage is sufficiently clear, especially as regards the final result. The Cambodian who was occupying Sukhodaya, or who was at least barring the road to it, is routed, and, the text continues:

"Phō Khun Phā Mu'ang could then enter Mu'ang Sukhodaya. He entrusted the government of it to Phō Khun Bāng Klāng Thāo. But Phō Khun Bāng Klāng Thāo did not dare to enter (Sukhodaya) out of deference towards his ally. Phō Khun Phā Mu'ang withdrew his army, and then Phō Khun Bāng Klāng Thāo entered the city" (11.27 to 29).

The little incident here related is characteristic. The word เกรง which I have translated "out of deference" might equally well be rendered by "through fear". It seems that, from motives either of fear or of respect, Bāng Klāng Thāo insisted on the army of his ally evacuating the town before he would take up the government of Sukhodaya. There was doubtless a good reason for this precaution, and the passage which has been quoted is full of implications.

The entry of Phō Khun Bāng Klāng Thāo into Sukhodaya is followed by his consecration by Phō Khun Phā Mu'ang:

"Afterwards Phō Khun Phā Mu'ang consecrated (abhisheka) Phō Khun Bāng Klāng Thāo as Chao Mu'ang Sukhodaya, and conferred his own name on his ally, that is to say the name of Śrī Indrapatīndrāditya, with the title of Kamratēng Añ Phā Mu'ang" (ll.29–30).

The above is tantamount to saying that Bāng Klāng Thāo, on his accession as king of Sukhodaya, received the name of Kamratēng Añ Phā Mu'ang SrīŚrī [sic] Indrapatīndrāditya. Why did Phō Khun Phā Mu'ang, Chief of Mu'ang Rāt, thus give his own titles to his friend, and in virtue of what powers did he do so? The inscription explains this to us immediately afterwards:

"Previously, the God, Chao Mu'ang of Śrī Sodhampura had given to Phō Khun Phā Mu'ang his daughter named Nāng Sikhara-