Indian Antiquary Vol 31

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 37

JANUART, 1902.]
THE SPRING-MYTH OF THE KESAB SAGA.
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4. Third version of the story of the birth :- Over the whole earth it was dark; but at Gogelhamo's house appeared a bright light. The child teased the mother in the same way as Dongrub did the giant in III. 84-45. Finally it came out between the ribs, without causing the mother any pain. The child was very beautiful, and had golden hair and wings; yet the mother could see nothing of its beauty. At its birth the fire blased up of itself; grand disbes were cooked in the oven; sweet fragrance filled the room, and jewels came raining in. The child grew in a day as much as others in a month.
6. To V, There came eighteen Andhe Bandhe, who put the child in a kettle, in order to boil it. The unintended effect was that the child came out much stronger and more hardened than it had been before
6. The young folk of gLing have gone hunting, and have killed nothing. Thereupon the Street-child goes out with the sling, and drives a whole herd of game into the cattle-pen, where be kills the animals with his knife, and cuts off their heads. Now appear the Lamas from the monastery, and reproach him for killing animals. Kesar asks if they never ate meat. They say: "Only [that] of animals which have died a natural death." He says, “Diridir," and maps his fingers All the animals come to life, and look for their beads. In doing so, they take the wrong beads in their hurry, so that large animals get small beads, and vios verea. Then the whole herd runs away, and the Street-boy says to the Lamas: "Be sure not to forget to fetch the animals and eat them when they have died."
7. The Agas institute an archery-contest. The one who hits in the middle shall be king.. The Street-boy comes, and bits a tiny mark at an enormous distance; but vanishes again completely immediately after.
8. According to another version, it is Agu Khromo, and in one case the husband of Gogzslbamo, who is said to have killed the devil-bird; but this gives no logical coherence. 9. (To III.) Advice for the journey to the earth :
If Dya khyung dkrang nyima troubles thee,
Call Byemo dkarmo to thy help Il 'a Dre lha btsan bog troubles thee,
Call Dsemo 'a Bamaa 'aBum skyid to thy help. 10. B'Brugama, a donkey's mother. This story is told after Spring Myth No. VI. 16. All the guests, being drunk, had gone to sleep. Kesar silently left the room and went to a neighbour's she-A88, that was with child. He caused her to give birth to a young ass at once by giving ber very cold water to drink. The foal he carries to the banquetting ball and puts it in the lap of the girl, who is nearest the door. When she awakes, she puts it into her neighbour's lap, and so on. Last of all 'Bruguma awakes, sees the foal in her lap and tries to hide it, because the Street-boy has entered the room. She succeeds in hiding it in her sleeve. The Street-boy says: "You will certainly be scolded, because you are late for breakfast!" "Oh no," she replies, “it is only the poor people, who bave their breakfast early in the morning, we do not belong to them !" Then by witchcraft be caused the foal to fall out of the sleeve and said: "Look there, you have given birth to a little donkey I” The girl is ashamed and wishes to keep him still; therefore sbe prays him to come to another banquet. Of this we hear in Spring Myth No. VI. 17-69.
11. To be inserted Spring Myth No. II. 36: He who is beaten in the contest, will have to go to the land of g Ling.