________________
AUGUST, 1893.]
NOTES ON TUL'SI DAS.
197
NOTES ON TUL'SI DAS. BY G. A. GRIERSOX, I. C. 8.
(Continued from p. 129.) TT may be useful to give a somewhat fuller account of these works than has been given in 1 the Modern Vernacular Literature of Hinduistán.
(1) Ram Lala Nahachha. Twenty verses of four lines each in Sshar-chhand, consisting of 16 syllables and 22 mútras. A short poem, celebrating the ceremonial touching of Rama's nails before his investiture with the sacred thread. This ceremony will be found described in Bihár Peasant Life, $ 1314. A good commentary by Pandit Bandan Pathak, which has been printed at the Khadg Bilås Press, Bänkipur. The two opening verses may be taken as a sample of the style and metre
Adi Sáradá,. Ganapati, Gauri mandia hoi Rấm a- Lali kara malachhà gái 8 đia hộ II. Jehi gáé sidhi hội parama-nidhi paia ho 1 K i janama kara pátalca dari 80 jdia hô 11 1 11 Kótinha bdjana bájahin Dasaratha ké griha hôi Déva-lóka saba dekhahin ananda ati hia h8 11 Nagara soh dwana lágata barani na játai hô 1
Kausalya ke harakha na hridaya samátai hó 11 2 1 First revere I 'Sarada, Gaņēsa and Gauri, and then sing I the nail-touching of the sweet childi Rama. He who singeth it gaineth perfect knowledge and the supreme treasure, and the sins accumulated through countless transmigrations leave him for ever (1).
Myriads of musical instruments sound in Dasaratha's house. The Gods look on rejoicing in their hearts. The city of Oudh seemeth so beautiful that tongue cannot describe it; and the bliss of Kausalya cannot be contained in her heart (2).
(2) Vairagya-Sandipani (usually spelled odipint) or the Kindling of Continence,' or of Devotion' (as contrasted with the common expression kámágni-so, the kindling the fire of love, exciting sexual desire). In three prakása or lectures, with an introductory invocation. In verse 7, the poet himself calls the work Birága-Sandipini. A good Commentary by Bandan Pathak, with gloss by Mahadev Par'sâd, Khadg Biiâs Press, Bankipar. The contents aru described by the names of the various lectures, as follows:--
Invocation I., 1–7.
Prakása I., Sant-Swabhav-barnan, an account of the true nature of a holy man. I, 7-33. Metre Dóhá, Sóralhá and Chaupái.
Prakasa II., Sant-mahima-barnan, an account of the true greatness of a holy man. II., 1-9. Metre, as above.
Prakasa III., Sánti-barnan, an account of the true Peace. III., 1-20. Metre, as above.
The work is principally composed of short sententious verses. The following may be taken as examples of the language :
5. Tulasi, yaha tana Ihéta hai,
Mana vacha karma kisána! Pápa punya dwai bija hain,
Bawai 80 lawai nidána 11 III, 1. Raini ko bhukhana indu hai,
Diwasa ko blúkhana bhána 1
• Lala = 141, a darling.
