A harmless trick by all unblamed. Far from the world that hermit's child Lives lonely in the distant wild: A stranger to the joys of sense, His bliss is pain and abstinence; And all unknown are women yet To him, a holy anchoret. The gentle passions we will wake That with resistless influence shake The hearts of men; and he Drawn by enchantment strong and sweet Shall follow from his lone retreat, And come and visit thee. Let ships be formed with utmost care That artificial trees may bear, And sweet fruit deftly made; Let goodly raiment, rich and rare, And flowers, and many a bird be there Beneath the leafy shade, Upon the ships thus decked a band Of young ana lovely girls shall stand, Rich in each charm that wakes desire, And eyes that burn with amorous tire; Well skilled to sing, and play, and dance, And ply their trade with smile and glance. Let these, attired in hermits' dress, Betake them to the wilderness, And bring the boy of life austere A voluntary captive here.'
He endea; and the king agreed, By the priest's counsel won. And all the ministers took heed To see his bidding done. In ships with wondrous art prepared Away the lovely women fared, And soon beneath the shade they stood Of the wild, lonely, dreary wood. And there the leafy cot they found Where dwelt the devotee, And looked with eager eyes around The hermit's son to see. Still, of Vibhandak sore afraid, They hid behind the creepers' shade. But when by careful watch they knew The elder saint was far from view, With bolder steps they ventured nigh To catch the youthful hermit's eye. Then all the damsels, blithe and gay, At various games began to play. They tossed the flying ball about With dance and song and merry shout, And moved, their scented tresses bound With wreaths, in mazy motion round. Some girls as if by love possessed, Sank to the earth in feigned unrest, Up starting quickly to pursue Their intermitted game anew. It was a lovely sight to see Those fair ones, as they played, While fragrant robes were floating free, And bracelets clashing in their glee A pleasant tinkling made. The anklet's chime, the Roll's1 cry With music filled the place A s 'twere some city in the sky Which heavenly minstrels grace. With each voluptuous art they strove To win the tenant of the grove, And with their graceful forms inspire His modest soul with soft desire. With arch of brow, with beck and smile, With every passion-waking wile 1 The Roilori0&i20(Ciioulu8 Indicus)as the harbinger of spring and love is a universal favourite with Indian poets. His voice when first heard in a glorious spring morning is not unpleasant, but becomes in the hot season intolerably wearisome to European ears, Cunto IX.
THE RAM AY AN.
Of glance and lotns hand, With all enticements that excite The longing for unknown delight Which boys in vain withstand. Forth came the hermit's son to view The wondrous sight to him so new, And gazed in rapt surprise, For from his natal hour till then On woman or the sons of men He ne'er had cast his eyes. He saw them with their waists so slim, With fairest shape and faultless limb, In variegated robes arrayed, And sweetly singing as they played. Near and more near the hermit drew, And watched them at their game, And stronger still the impulse grew To question whence they came. They marked the young ascetic gaze With curious eye and wild amaze, And sweet the long-eyed damsels sang, And shrill their merry laughter rang. Then came they nearer to his side, And languishing with passion cried: * Whose son, O youth, and who art thou, Come suddenly to join us now? And why dost thou all lonely dwell In the wild wood? We pray thee, tell, We wish to know thee, gentle youth; Come, tell us, if thou wilt, the truth.'
He gazed upon that sight he ne'er Had seen before, of girls so fair, And out of love a longing rose His sire and lineage to disclose: ' My father,' thus he made reply, ' Is Kas yap's son, a saint most high, Vibhaudak styled; from him I came, And Rishyasring he calls my name. Our hermit cot is near this place: Come thither, 0 ye fair of face; There be it mine, with honour due, Ye gentle youths, to welcome you.'
They heard his speech, and gave consent, And gladly to his cottage went, Vibhandak's son received them well Beneath the shelter of his cell With guest-gift, water for their feet, And woodland fruit and roots to eat, They smiled, and spoke sweet words like these, Delighted with his courtesies: ' We too have goodly fruit in store, Grown on the trees that shade our door; Come, if thou wilt, kind Hermit, haste The produce of our grove to taste; And let, 0 good Ascetic, first This holy water quench thy thirst.' They spoke, and gave him comfits sweet Prepared ripe fruits to counterfeit; And many a dainty cate beside And luscious mead their stores supplied.
The seeming fruits, in taste and look, The unsuspecting hermit took, For, strange to him, their form beguiled The dweller in the lonely wild, Then round his neck fair arms were flun^ And there the laughing damsels clung, And pressing nearer and more near With sweet lips whispered at his ear; While rounded limb and swelling breast The youthful hermit softly pressed.
The pleasing charm of that strange bowl.
The touch of a tender limb, Over his yielding spirit stole And sweetly vanquished him. But vows, they said, must now be paid; They bade the boy farewell, And, of the aged saint afraid, Prepared to leave the dell. With ready guile they told him where Their hermit dwelling lay; Then, lest the sire should find them then Sped by wild paths away. They fled and left him there alone By longing love possessed; And with a heart no more his own He roamed about distressed. The aged saint came home, to find The hermit boy distraught, Revolving in his troubled mind One solitary thought. 'Why dost thou riot, my son,' he cried, * Thy due obeisance pay? Why do I see thee in the tide Of whelming thought to-day? A devotee should never wear A mien so sad and strange. Come, quickly, dearest child, declare The reason' of the change.' And Rishyasring, when questioned thus, Made answer in this wise: ' 0 sire, there came to visit us Some men with lovely eyes, About my neck soft arms they wound And kept me tightly held To tender breasts so soft and round, That strangely heaved and swelled. They sing more sweetly as they dance Than e'er I heard till now, And play with many a sidelong glance And arching of the brow.' ' My son,' said he, 'thus giants roam Where holy hermits are, And wander round their peaceful home Their rites austere to mar. I charge thee, thou must never lay Thy trust in them, dear boy: They seek thee only to betray, And woo but to destroy.' Thus having warned him of his foes That night at home he spent, And when the morrow's sun arose 18 THE RAM AY AN.
Boole L Forth to the forest went.
But Rishyasring with eager pace Sped forth and hurried to the place Where he those visitants had seen Of daintly waist and charming mien. When from afar they saw the son Of Saint Vibhandak toward them run, To meet the hermit boy they hied, And hailed him with a smile, and cried; * 0 come, we pray, dear lord, behold Our lovely home of which we toJd: Due honour there to thee we'll pay, And speed thee on thy homeward way.' Pleased with the gracious words they said He followed where the damsels led. As with his guides his steps he bent, That Brahman high of worth, A flood of rain from heaven was sent That gladdened all the earth.
Vibhandak took his homeward road, And wearied by the heavy load Of roots and woodland fruit he bore Entered at last his cottage door. Fain for his son he looked around, But desolate the cell he found. He stayed not then to bathe his feet, Though fainting with the toil and heat, But hurried forth and roamed about Calling the boy with cry and shout. He searched the wood, but all in vain; Nor tidings of his son could gain.
One day beyond the forest's bound The wandering saint a village found, And asked the swains and neatherds there Who owned the land so rich and fair, With all the hamlets of the plain, And herds of kine and fields of grain. They listened to the hermit's words, And all the guardians of the herds, With suppliant hands together pressed, This answer to the saint addressed: The Angas' lord who bears the name Of Lomapad, renowned by fame, Bestowed these hamlets with their kine And all their riches, as a sign Of grace, on Rishyasring; and he Vibhandak's son is said to be.' The hermit with exulting breast The mighty will of fate confessed, By meditation's eye discerned; And cheerful to his home returned.
A stately ship, at early morn, The hermit's son away had borne. Loud roared the clouds, as on he sped, The sky grew blacker overhead; Till, as he reached the royal town, A mighty flood of rain came down. By the great rain the monarch's mind The coming of his guest divined. To meet the honoured youth he went, And low to earth his head he bent.
With his own priest to lead the train, He gave the gift high guests obtain. And sought, with all who dwelt within The city walls, his grace to win. He fed him with the daintiest fare, He served him with unceasing care, And ministered with anxious eyes Lest anger in his breast should rise; And gave to be the Brahman's bride His own fair daughter, lot us- eyed.
Thus loved and honoured by the king, The glorious Brahman Rishyasring Passed in that royal town his life With Santa his beloved wife.'
CANTO X.
RISHYASRING INVITED.
* Again, 0 best of kings, give ear: My saving words attentive hear, And listen to the tale of old By that illustrious Brahman told.
* Of famed Ikshvaku's line shall spring ('Twas thus he spoke) a pious king, Named Dasaratha, good and great, True to his word and fortunate.
He with the Angas' mighty lord Shall ever live in sweet accord, And his a daughter fair shall be, Santa of happy destiny. But Lomapad, the Angas' chief, Still pining in his childless grief, To Dasaratha thus shall say: *Give me thy daughter, friend, I pray, Thy Santa of the tranquil mind, The noblest one of womankind.'
The father, swift to feel for woe, Shall on his friend his child bestow; And he shall take her and depart To his own town with joyous heart. The maiden home in triumph led, To Rishyasring the king shall wed. And he with loving joy and pride Shall take her for his honoured bride. And Dasaratha to a rite That best of Brahmans shall invite With supplicating prayer, To celebrate the sacrifice To win him sons and Paradise,1 That he will fain prepare.
1 'Sons and Paradise are intimately connected in Indian belief. A man desires above every thing to have a son to perpe- tuate his race, and to assist with sacrifices and funeral rites to make him worthy to obtain a lofty seat in heaven or to pre- serve tli at which he has already obtained.' GOKRESIO.
Canto XL THE RAMAYAN.
From him the lord of men at length The boon be seeks shall gain, And see four sons of boundless strength His royal line maintain.' ' Thus did the godlike saint of old The will of fate declare, And all that sbould befall unfold Amid the sages there. O Prince supreme of men, go thou, Consult thy holy guide, And win, to aid thee in thy vow, This brahman to thy side.' Sumantra's counsel, wise and good, King Dasaratha heard, Then by Vasishtha's side he stood And thus with him conferred: * Sumantra counsels thus: do thou My priestly guide, the plan allow.'
Vasishtha gave his glad consent, And forth the happy monarch went With lords and servants on the road That led to Rishyasring's abode. Forests and rivers duly past, He reached the distant town at last Of Lomapad the Angas' king, And entered it with welcoming. On through the crowded streets he came, And, radiant as the kindled flame, He saw within the monarch's house The hermit's son most glorious. There Lomapad, with joyful breast, To him all honour paid, For friendship for his royal guest His faithful bosom swayed. Thus entertained with utmost care Seven days, or eight, he tarried there, And then that best men thus broke His purpose to the king, and spoke; « 0 King of men, mine ancient friend, (Thus Dasaratha prayed) Thy £anta with her husband send My sacrifice to aid.' Said he who ruled the Angas, Yea, And his consent was won: And then at once he turned away To warn the hermit's son. He told him of their ties beyond Their old affection's faithful bond: * This king,' he said, ' from days of old A well beloved friend I hold.
To me this pearl of dames he gave From childless woe mine age to save, The daughter whom he loved so much, Moved by compassion's gentle touch.
In him thy Santa's father see: As I am even so is he.
For sons the childless monarch yearns: To thee alone for help he turns.
Go thou, the sacred rite ordain To win the sons he prays to gain: Go, with thy wife thy succour lend, And give his vows a blissful end.'
The hermit's son with quick accord Obeyed the Angas' mighty lord, And with fair Sant& at his side To Dasaratha's city hied. Each king, with suppliant hands upheld, Gazed on the other's face: And then by mutual love impelled Met in a close embrace. Then Dasaratha's thoughtful care, Before he parted thence, Bade trusty servants homeward bear The glad intelligence: * Let all the town be bright and gay, With burning incense sweet; Let banners wave, and water lay The dust in every street.' Glad were the citizens to learn The tidings of their lord's return, And through the city every man Obedienly his task began. And fair and bright Ayodhya showed, As following his guest he rode Through the full streets where shell and drum Proclaimed aloud the king was come. And all the people with delight Kept gazing on thei r king, Attended by that youth so bright, The glorious Rishyasring. When to his home the king had brought The hermit's saintly son, He deemed that all his task was wrought, And all he prayed for won. And lords who saw that stranger dame So beautiful to view, Rejoiced within their hearts, and came And paid her honour too. There Rishyasring passed blissful days. Graced like* the king with love and praise. And shone in glorious light with her, Sweet $anta, for his minister, As Brahma's son Vasishtha, he Who wedded Saint Arundhati.1 CANTO XI.
THE SACRIFICE DECREED.
The Dewy Season2 came and went; The spring returned again: Then would the king, with mind intent, His sacrifice ordain.
i One of the Pleiades and generally re- garded as the model of wifely excellence.
* The Hindu year is divided into six seasons of two months each, spring, sum- mer, rains, autumn, winter, and dews, 20 THE RAM AY AN.
Boole /.
He came to Rishyasring, and bowed To him of look divine, And bade him aid his offering vowed For heirs, to save his line. Nor would the youth his aid deny: He spake the monarch fair, And prayed him for that rite so high All requisites prepare. The king to wise Sumantra cried Who stood aye ready near; * Go summon quick each holy guide, To counsel and to hear.' Obedient to his lord's behest Away Sumantra sped, And brought Vasishtha and the rest, In Scripture deeply read. Suyajna, Vamadeva came, Javali, Kasyap's son, And old Vasishtha, dear to fame, Obedient every one. King Dasaratha met them there And duly honoured each, And spoke in pleasant words his fair And salutary speech; ' In childless longing doomed to pine, No happiness, O lords, is mine. So have I for this cause decreed To slay the sacrificial steed. Fain would I pay that offering high Wherein the horse is doomed to die, With Rishyasring his aid to lend, And with your glory to befriend.'
With loud applause each holy man Received his speech, approved the plan, And, by the wise Vasishtha led, Gave praises to the king, and said: *The sons thou cravest shalt thou see, Of fairest glory, born to thee, Whose holy feelings bid thee take This righteous course for offspring's sake.' Cheered by the ready praise of those Whose aid he sought, his spirits rose, And thus the king his speech renewed With looks of joy and gratitude: <Let what the coming rites require Be ready as the priests desire, And let the horse, ordained to bleed, With fitting guard and priest, be freed, Yonder on Sarju's northern side The sacrificial ground provide; And let the saving rites, that naught Ill-omened may occur, be wrought. The offering I announce to-day Each lord of earth may claim to pay, Provided that his care can guard 1 It was essential that the horse should wander free for a year before immolation, as a sign that his master's paramount sovereignty was acknowledged by neighbouring princes, The holy rite by flaws unmarred. For wandering fiends, whose watchful spite Waits eagerly to spoil each rite, Hunting with keenest eye detect The slightest slip, the least neglect; And when the sacred work is crossed The workman is that moment lost. Let preparation due be made: Your powers the charge can meet: That so the noble rite be paid In every point complete.' And all the Brahmans answered, Yea, His mandate honouring, And gladly promised to obey The order of the king. They cried with voices raised aloud: * Success attend thine aim!' Then bade farewell, and lowly bowed, And hastened whence they came. King Dasaratha went within, His well loved wives to see: And said: * Your lustral rites begin, For these shall prosper me. A glorious offering I prepare That precious fruit of sons may bear.' Their lily faces brightened fast Those pleasant words to hear, As lilies, when the winter's past, In lovelier hues appear.
CANTO XII.
THE SACRIFICE BEGUN.
Again the spring with genial heat Returning made the year complete. To win him sons, without delay His vow the king resolved to pay: And to Vasishtha, saintly man, In modest words this speech began: ' Prepare the rite with all things fit As is ordained in Holy Writ, And keep with utmost care afar Whate'er its sacred forms might mar. Thou art, my lord, my trustiest guide, Kind -hearted, and my friend beside; So is it meet thou undertake This heavy task for duty's sake.'
Then he, of twice-born men the best, His glad assent at once expressed: ' Fain will I do whatever may be Desired, O honoured King, by thee.' To ancient priests he spoke, who, trained In holy rites, deep skill had gained: * Here guards be stationed, good and sage, Religious men of trusted age. And various workmen send and call, Who frame the door and build the wall: With men of every art and trade, Who read the stars and ply the spade, Canto XII.
THE RA MAYAN.
21 And mimes and minstrels hither bring, And damsels trained to dance and sing.'
Then to the learned men he said, In many a page of Scripture read: * Be yours each rite performed to see According to the king's decree. And stranger Brahmans quickly call To this great rite that welcomes all. Pavilions for the princes, decked With art and ornament, erect, And handsome booths by thousands made The Brahman visitors to shade, Arranged in order side by side, With meat and drink and all supplied. And ample stables we shall need For many an elephant and steed: And chambers where the men may lie, And vast apartments, broad and high, Fit to receive the countless bands Of warriors come from distant lands. For our own people too provide Sufficient tents, extended wide, And stores of meat and drink prepare, And all that can be needed there. And food in plenty must be found For guests from all the country round. Of various viands presents make, For honour, not for pity's sake, That tit regard and worship be Paid to each caste in due degree. And let not wish or wrath excite Your hearts the meanest guest to slight; But still observe with special grace Those who obtain the foremost place, Whether for happier skill in art Or bearing.in the rite their part. Do you, 1 pray, with friendly mind Perform the task to you assigned, And work the rite, as bids the law, Without omission, slip, or flaw.'
They answered: ' As thpu seest fit So will we do and naught omit.' The sage Vasishtha then addressed Sumantra called at his behest: ' The princes of the earth invite, And famous lords who guard the rite, Priest, Warrior, Merchant, lowly thrall, In countless thousands summon all. Where'er their home be, far or near, Gather the good with honour here. And Janak, whose imperial sway The men of Mithila1 obey, The firm of vow, the dread of foes, Who all the lore of Scripture knows, 1 Called also Videha, later Tirabhukti corrupted into the modern Tirhut, a pro vince bounded on the west and east by th( Gandaki and Kausiki rivers, on the south by the Ganges, and on the north by the skirts of the Himalayas, Invite him here with honour high, King Dasaratha's old ally. And Kasi's1 lord of gentle speech, Who finds a pleasant word for each, In length of days our monarch's peer, Illustrious king, invite him here. The father of our ruler's bride, ^ Known for his virtues far and wide, The king whom Kekaya's* realms obey, Him with his son invite, I pray. And Lomapad the Angas' king, Drue to his vows and godlike, bring.
?or be thine invitations sent 0 west and south and orient.
_all those who rule Surashtra's3 land, Suvira s4 realm and Sindhu's strand, And all the kings of earth beside ]n friendship's bonds with us allied: [nvite them all to hasten in With retinue and kith and kin.'
Vasishtha's speech without delay Sumantra bent him to obey. And sent his trusty envoys forth Eastward and westward, south and north. Dbedient to the saint's request Himself he hurried forth, and pressed Each nobler chief and lord and king To hasten to the gathering. Before the saint Vasishtha stood All those who wrought with stone and wood, And showed the work which every one In furtherance of the rite had done, Rejoiced their ready zeal to see, Thus to fhe craftsmen all said he: 4 1 charge ye, masters, see to this, That there be nothing done amiss, And this, I pray, in mind be borne, That not one gift ye give in Scorn: Whenever scorn a gift attends Great sin is his who thus offends.'
And now some days and nights had past, And kings began to gather fast, And precious gems in liberal store As gifts to Dasaratha bore. Then joy thrilled through Vasishtha's breast As thus the monarch he addressed: 1 Obedient to thy high decree The kings, my lord, are come to thee.
1 The celebrated city of Benares. See Dr. Halls's learned and exhaustive Mono- graph in the Sacred City of the Hindus, by the Rev. M. A. Sherring.
* 2 Kekaya is supposed to have been in the Panjab. The name of the king was Asvapati (Lord of Horses), father of Dasaratha's wife Kaikeyi.
3 Surat.
4 Apparently in the west of India not far from the Indus, THE RAM AY AN.
Boole I.
And it has been my care to greet And honour all with reverence meet. Thy servants' task is ended quite, And all is ready for the rite, Come fort'i then to the sacred ground Where all in order will be found.' Then Rishyasiing confirmed the tale: Nor did their words to move him fail. The stars propitious influence lent When forth the world's great ruler went, Then by the sage Vasishtha led The priest began to speed Those glorious rites wherein is shed The lif eblood of the steed.
CANTO XIII.
THE SACRIFICE FINISHED.
The circling year had filled its course, And back was brought the wandering horse: Then upon Sarju's northern strand Began the rite the king had planned. With Rishyasring the forms to guide, The Brahmans to their task applied, At that great offering of the steed Their lofty-minded king decreed. The priests, who all the Scripture knew, Performed their part in order due, And circled round in solemn train As precepts of the law ordain. Pravargya rites1 were duly sped: For Upasads2 the flames were fed. Then from the plant5 the juice was squeezed, And those high saints with minds well pleased Performed the mystic rites begun With bathing ere the rise of sun. They gave the portion Indra's claim, 1 'The Pravargya ceremony lasts for three days, and is always performed twice a day, in the forenoon and after- noon. It precedes the animal and Sonia sacrifices. For without having undergone it, no one is allowed to take part in the solemn Soma feast prepared for the gods.' HAUG'S Altareya, Brahmanam. Vol. II.
* Upasads. 'The Gods said, Let us perform the burnt-offerings called Upasads (I. e. besieging). For by means of an Upasad, i. e. besieging, they conquer a large (fortified) town.' — Ibid. p. 52.
3 The Soma plant, or Asclepias Acida. Its fermented juice was drunk in sacrifice by the priests and offered to the Gods who enjoyed the intoxicating draught.
And hymned the King whom none can blame.
The mid-day bathing followed next, Observed as bids the holy text. Then the good priests with utmost care, In form that Scripture's rules declare, For the third time pure water shed On high-souled Dasaratha's head. Then Rishyasring and all the rest To Indra and the Gods addressed Their sweet-toned hymn of praise and prayer, And called them in the rite to share. With sweetest song and hymn entoned They gave the Gods in heaven enthroned, As duty bids, the gifts they claim, The holy oil that feeds the flame. And many an offering there was paid, And not one slip in all was made. For with most careful heed they saw That all was done by Veda law. None, all those days, was seen oppressed By hunger or by toil distressed. Why speak of human kind? No beast Was there that lacked an ample feast. For there was store for all who came, For orphan child and lonely dame; The old and young were well supplied, The poor and hungry satisfied. Throughout the day ascetics fed, And those who roam to beg their bread: While all around the cry was still, < Give forth, give forth,' and « Eat you fill/ ' Give forth with liberal hand the meal, And various robes in largess deal.' Urged by these cries on every side Unweariedly their task they plied: And heaps of food like hills in size In boundless plenty met the eyes: And lakes of sauce, each day renewed, Refreshed the weary multitude. And strangers there from distant lands, And women folk in crowded bands The best of food and drink obtained At the great rite the king ordained. Apart from all, the Brahmans there, Thousands on thousands, took their share Of various dainties sweet to taste, On plates of gold and silver placed, All ready set, as, when they willed, The twice-born men their places filled. And servants in fair garments dressed Waited upon each Brahman guest. Of cheerful mind and mien were they, With gold and jewelled earrings gay. The best of Brahmans praised the fare Of countless sorts, of flavour rare: And thus to Kaghu's son they cried: ' We bless thee, and are satisfied.' Between the rites some Brahmans spent The time in. learned argument, Canto XIII.
THE RAM'AYAN.
23 With ready flow of speech, sedate, And keen to vanquish in debate.1 There day by day the holy train Performed all rites as rales ordain. No priest in all that host was found But kept the vows that held him bound: None, but the holy Vedas knew, And all their six-fold science* too. No Brahman there was found unfit To speak with eloquence and wit.
And now the appointed time came near The sacrificial posts to rear. They brought them, and prepared to fix Of Bel3 and Khadir4 six ana six; Six, made of the Palasa5 tree, Of Fig-wood one, apart to be: Of Sleshmat6 and of Devadar7 One column each, the mightiest far: So thick the two, the arms of man Their ample girth would fail to span. All these with utmost care were wrought By hand of priests in Scripture taught, And all with gold were gilded bright To add new splendour to the rite: 1 'Turn in casrimoniarum intervallis Brachmanae facundi, sollertes, crebros ser- mones de rerum causis insbituebant, alter alterum vineendi cupidi. This public dis- putation in the assembly of Brahmans on the nature of things, and the almost fra- ternal connexion between theology and philosophy deserves some notice; whereas the priests of some religions are generally but little inclined to show favour to phi- losophers, nay, sometimes persecute them with the most rancorous hatred, as we are taught both by history and experience...This slvka is found in the MSS. of dif- ferent recensions of the Bamayan, and we have, therefore, the most trustworthy testimony to the antiquity of philosophy among the Indians.' SCHLEGEL.
* The Angas or appendices of the Vedas, pronunciation, prosody, grammar, ritual, astronomy, and explanation of obscurities.
3 In Sanskrit vilva, the JEyle Marmelos. * He who desires food and wishes to grow fat, ought to make his Yupa (sacrificial post' of Bilva wood.' HAUG'S Aitareya ordhmanam. Vol. If. p. 7 3.
4 The Mimosa Catechu. * He who de- sires heaven ought to make his Yupa of Khadira wood,'— Ibid.
*> The Butea Frondosa. * He who desires beauty and sacred knowledge ought to make his Yupa of Palasa wood.'— ^Ibid.
6 The Cardla, Latifolia.
7 A kind of pine. The word means literally the tree of the Gods: Compare the Hebrew rOTT ^227 * trees of the Lord,'