Indian Antiquary Vol 15

Author(s): John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 90

74
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
p. 233 (9) A. B. G. have आत्मन्येव, but the two commentaries agree with printed text and explain आत्मन एव. p. 238 ( 9 ). A. B. D. G. read असदन्यत् instead of सदन्यत्, and B. D. अयोनि instead of araf. The following is Narayana's explana. tion of this passage :- हे देवाः पश्यत । इहाप्यात्मन्यपि सन्मात्रं सत्तामात्रं नाधिकं किञ्चिदस्ति । अपिश वोऽल्पीभावे । ननु तथापि सत्ता जातिरस्ति तदाश्र यत्वे चाधाराधेयभाव: स्वादत आहासदन्यत् । असतोऽन्यत्सदन्यदेव सन्न तु सत्त्वं जातिरित्यर्थः । इत्थमनंन प्रकारेण सत्यं पुरस्तात्सिद्धं । कीदृशमयोनि उत्पत्तिरहितं ॥
p. 242 (9). D. explains fa af but B. E. read f afarar A. and G. agree with printed text.
p. 243 (9). D. explains Tag | His words are द्रष्टा पुमानद्रटुर्जडस्य । दृश्याभावे वास्तव
In a certain country there lived a fowler, who pursued his calling with far-famed success, and an incredible number of birds were reported to have been snared, or shot, by him every day. Some of these he set by for his own use and the rest he sold; however, being a spendthrift he did not become rich, but rather grew poorer and poorer. As fast and as much as he earned, so fast and so much did he spend. Now this was all very well for a time, and for some years affairs proceeded comparatively happily; but by degrees it became manifest the birds were getting fewer and more wary, and there was consequently an abatement in his success; and so the fowler looked sad and anxious, and wondered what he should do for a living.
While he was in this state Raja Hams summoned all the bird-world to a great assembly, and the few birds that remained in the fowler's country were also invited, The conference was an immense one, and all the arrangements were magnificent beyond description. Much business was done, and
[MARCH, 1886.
त्वमपि नास्तीत्यत्राप्युत्प्रेक्षैव ॥ A B G read निरवद्य for निरविद्य:
p. 244 (9). All the MSS. but G. read दृष्टोऽदृष्टो वेति। A. E. read अनन्यः for the नान्यः of
GULLALA SHAH.
BY THE REV. J. HINTON KNOWLES, F.R.G.S., M.R.A.S., &c. A KASMIRI TALE.
A swan or goose, of. rijahamhsa, s. v. in Monier Williams' Sanskrit Dictionary.
Both the owl and the parrot occupy a prominent position in Indian Folklore. The former is generally regarded as most akilful in foretelling events, and on
the text.
P. 246 (9). Instead of : the MSS. have स्वप्रकाशे, and all agree in rejecting न after किमयेन. Narayana says - किमयेनेति । अद्वयो ऽस्माभिर्न दृष्ट इति भवद्भिरुक्तो योऽद्वयः किं तेन । कुतो यतो द्वितीयमेव न किन्तु यूयमेव स्थ ॥
p. 250 (9). Instead of shi, D. has अव्यक्तं and E अवक्तव्यं. The reading of B अवव्यक्तं, may be a mistake for अव्यक्त. p. 252 (9). A. B. G. read a g omitting the avagraha before the second wordand D. explains thus : - प्रणवावर्त्तनानन्तरं ज्ञात इति प्रभरूपं प्रजापतिवचः । ज्ञातश्च ज्ञात एवेति होचुः ॥ E. explains अज्ञातः.
p. 253 (9). A. B. D. G. read केषानुज्ञेति and वयं ते.
every bird expressed himself very pleased with all that he had seen and heard. At length the conference being concluded, the birds were dismissed to their several countries; but the little company which attended from the fowler's country, did not prepare to leave. Seeing this Raja Hams inquired the reason.
"O Raja," replied the birds, "in our country there lives a fowler, whose aim is deadly and snares undiscoverable. Nearly all our brethren have been slain by him. In former days we were a great and mighty company, but now behold, O Râjâ, the smallness of our numbers and our strength. We pray you to have mercy on us, and deliver us out of the hand of this cruel man."
Raja Hams was execedingly grieved when he heard their sorrows, and immediately sought to relieve them. He had two chief ministers, an owl and a parrot, whom he loved very much, and to whose advice he always attended. Accordingly he now called them to him, and first addressing the owl, said,
"O Owl, I am ruler over all the birds and ye
this account would prove a most useful bird if men could only easily understand its speech. The parrot is also quoted as a most accomplished soothsayer, as well as a cheerful companion and faithful friend.