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OCTOBER, 1890.]
FOLKLORE IN SOUTHERN INDIA.
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together with Adityasvâmin and NÁgakumara, - without any interruption (?) of the succession of) sons and sons' sons &c., to endure for the same time with the existence of the moon and the sun and the earth, for the maintenance of the five great sacrifices of the bali, charu, vaišvadeva, agnihotra, and havana.
(L. 19.) - "Let it be known to all the neighbonring Vishayapatis, Sámantas, Grámabhsgikas, Mahattaras, &c., that, with the understanding that this village) is not to be entered by the irregular or regular troops, money-lenders, and others, (and) that it has been freed from any shortcoming by complete acceptance (?); and keeping in view the fact that the world of living beings is as unstable as waves of water driven by an unsteady wind, - accordingly, no interruption of the enjoyment of it) shoald be caused! And he who, having a mind covered with the veil of the darkness of ignorance, may confiscate, or may assent to the act of anyone who is confiscating (this grant), - he shall become invested with (the guilt of) the five great sins !"
(L. 25.) - And it has been said by the venerable VyAsa, the arranger of the Vedas: The giver of land abides in heaven for sixty thousand years; but the confiscator (of a grant), and he who assents (to an act of confiscation), shall dwell for the same number of years in hell! The earth has been enjoyed by many kings, commencing with Sagara; whosoever at any time possesses the earth, to him belongs, at that time, the reward (of this grant that is now made, if he continue it)! Verily kings do not acquire as much religious merit from bestowing land, as they do in preserving an endowment made by another! O Yudhishthira, best of kings, carefully preserve land that has previously been given to the twice-born; (verily) the preservation (of a grant) is better than making a grant! Set not (thy) mind upon the property of a Bråbma, even when the breath of life has gone to (thy) throat (on the point of departure); things that are burnt by the fire grow up (again); (but) anything burnt by (the curse of a Brahman, grows not (again)! Whosoever confiscates land that has been given, whether by himself or by another, - he is tormented in hell for the duration of sixty thonsand years! Those who confiscate grants of land, are born as black serponts, dwelling in the dried-up hellows of trees, in the forests of the Vindhya mountains, destitute of water !
(L. 35.) - (This) charter has been written in the augmenting eighth year of the glorious Maharaja.
FOLKLORE IN SOUTHERN INDIA.
BY PANDIT NATESA SASTRI, M.F.L.S.
No. 34. - THE SHOWER OF GOLD AND SCORPIONS. In a certain town there lived a great land holder, whose house was only a small one. One day it occurred to him that it was not in keeping with his position, and having plenty of money to spare, he resolved to build himself a mansion befitting his position. So he called the best workmen round about him, and fixing on an auspicions day according to the recommendation of the local soothsayers, be built the mansion strictly according to the advice of the wise men, and it was soon completed ; and then onr hero, accompanied by Brahmana reciting the four Vedas, by musicians playing on various instruments, and by dancing-girls in guy procession, entered and settled in it, finding every part of it to his heart's content. With the feasting of several thousands of Brahmans in its halls, a busy day closed, and all the guests took their leave, leaving the owner to the role enjoyment of the house. And he, too, much exhausted by attending apon his many guests, took his supper early, and with his wife and children retired to rest.
1 It is the opinion of Hindus that new houses should be entered with music and dancing. The house that is not warmed with the dancing of dancing-girls (courtesana) will never be liked by the gods !
