The execution of a victim (generally an animal), who was tied at the yūpa, was meant to bring prosperity to everyone.[1][2]
Most yūpa, and all from the Vedic period, were in wood, and have not survived. The few stone survivals seem to be a later type of memorial using the form of the wooden originals. The Isapur Yupa, the most complete, replicates in stone the rope used to tether the animal. The topmost section is missing; texts describe a "wheel-like headpiece made of perishable material", representing the sun, but the appearance of that is rather unclear from theGupta period coins that are the best other visual evidence.[3]
During theGupta Empire period, theAshvamedha scene of a horse tied to a yūpa sacrificial post appears on the coinage ofSamudragupta. On the reverse, the queen is holding achowrie for the fanning of the horse and a needle-like pointed instrument, with legend "One powerful enough to perform the Ashvamedha sacrifice".[7][8]
Samudragupta coin with horse standing in front of a yūpa sacrificial post, with legend "The King of Kings, who had performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice, wins heaven after conquering the earth".[7][8]
The queen, reverse of last, is holding achowrie for the fanning of the horse and a needle-like pointed instrument, with legend "One powerful enough to perform the Ashvamedha sacrifice".[7][8]
Another version of the Ashvamedha scene. Coinage of Samudragutpa.
The oldest known Sanskrit inscriptions in theNusantara are those on seven stone pillars, orYūpa ("sacrificial posts"), found in the eastern part ofBorneo, in the historical area ofKutai,East Kalimantan province.[9] They were written byBrahmins using the earlyPallava script, in theSanskrit language, to commemorate sacrifices held by a generous mighty king calledMulavarman who ruled theKutai Martadipura Kingdom, the first Hindu kingdom in presentIndonesia. Based on palaeographical grounds, they have been dated to the second half of the 4th century CE. They attest to the emergence of anIndianized state in the Indonesian archipelago prior to 400 CE.[10]
In addition toMulavarman, the reigning king, the inscriptions mention the names of his fatherAswawarman and his grandfatherKudungga (the founder of the Kutai Martadipura Kingdom). Aswawarman is the first of the line to bear aSanskrit name in the Yupa which indicates that he was probably the first to adhere to Hinduism.[10]
Muarakaman I TheMaharajaKudungga, who was very noble, had a famous son, the Aswawarman his name, who like the Ansuman (the sun god) grew a very noble family. The Aswawarman had three sons, like three (holy) fire. The foremost of the three sons was theMulavarman, aking who was civilized, strong and powerful. TheMulavarman has held a feast (salvation called) a lot of gold. For commemoration of the feast (salvation) that this stone monument was erected by thebrahmins.
Muarakaman II Listen to all of you, eminentBrahmins, and all other good people, about the virtues of theMulavarman, the great king who is very noble. This kindness is in the form of a lot of alms, as if the alms of life or just a kalpa tree (which gives all desires), with land alms (which is given). It is with this goodness that this monument was erected by theBrahmins (for a memorial).
Muarakaman III This monument was written for (commemorating) two (cases) that have been donated by KingMulavarman, namely a mountain of oil (thick), with lamps and flower panicles.
Muarakaman IV TheMulavarman, the noble and eminent king, has given alms of 20,000cows to thebrahmins who is like fire, (located) in the holy land (named) Waprakeswara.[15] For (remembrance) of the kindness of the king, this monument has been made by the Brahmins who came to this place.
^abSAHOO, P. C. (1994). "On the Yṻpa in the Brāhmaṇa Texts".Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute. 54/55:175–183.ISSN0045-9801.JSTOR42930469.
^Irwin, John, "The Heliodorus Pillar: A Fresh Appraisal", p. 8, AARP,Art and Archaeology Research Papers, December, 1974,Internet archive, (also published inPurātattva, 8, 1975-1976, pp. 166-178)
^abS. Supomo, "Chapter 15. Indic Transformation: The Sanskritization ofJawa and the Javanization of theBharata" in Peter S. Bellwood, James J. Fox,Darrell T. Tryon (eds.),The Austronesians: Historical and Comparative Perspectives, Australian National University, 1995
^R.M. Poerbatjaraka,Riwayat Indonesia, I, 1952, hal. 9.
^Sumantri, Yeni Kurniawati. Rangkuman Materi Perkuliahan:Sejarah Indonesia Kuno. Fakultas Pendidikan Ilmu Pengetahuan Sosial, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia.
^Note: archaeologists and historical experts has stated that "Waprakeswara" referred to a field dedicated to worship the Lord Shiva