Indian Antiquary Vol 40

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 74

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[FEBRUARY, 1911.
NOTES AND QUERIES. THE PLANT KURINJI (STOBILANTHUS) AND cattle or the crops. So the people of every
THE WORSHIPS OF KATTAIKKAVALAR. village fix a day in the month of Avani ( Ang.THE plant stobilanthus grows extendively on Sept. ), when contributions of rice and cocks or the Palni Hills and there are certain curious
chicken are raised from every house for offerings features about it which I think may be of inte
to Kuţtaikkävalar. On the afternoon of that day, rest to your readers.
the people of the Kunduvar (Mannidi), artisan Though the plant is very common on these
(Asiri ), and washerman classes take the offerhills, usually only a few stray ones flower in
ings a mile or two out of the village and there each year. Five years ago, the flowering was
offer cooked rice, cocks and a sheep to the godmore general, but this year it is in such bloom ling and afterwards partake of them. Just before that it is difficult to find a plant without flowers. returning, a man, appointed for the purpose, The flowers are mainly purple in colour and
kills a buffalo and leaves the carcase there. The rather strongly scented.
people do not remain at the spot a moment The hill people call the plant kurinji and
longer than is absolutely necessary, as they believe that it is in full bloom only once in
greatly dread the wrath of Kattaikkavalar. Even
those who do not belong to the abovementioned twelve years, which is confirmed by a gentleman, who states that he last saw the flowering on the
classes remain in the village, and take care scale of this year in 1898, and that it withers
to keep witbin their houses after sunset on away after flowering, coming up again afresh
that day: after the following rains.
The worship is conducted on the west, north, The hill people also believe that a deity called and east sides of a village in rotation. At Pum. Kattaikkivalar (which seems to mean "Guar- barai, a bill village about eight miles west of dian of the Boundaries") needs to be propitiated Kodaikānal, it will be carried on this year to once in twelve years, i.e., whenever kurinji is in the west of the village. full bloom; otherwise he will do harm to the
S. SITARAMAIYA.
BOOK-NOTICE. The SerTYADABPANA, Parichehhedas 1, 2, and 10: the strated by numerous quotations. Some of their
Text, with an Introduction and English Notes, by characteristics are rather elaborately and even PANDUBANO VAMAN KANN, M.A., LL.B., sometime
fancifully explained, and the distinctions drawn Aoting Professor of Sanskrit, Elphinstone College,
between them are sometimes minute The notes, Bombay, pp. 18, 75, 816. 84. The Oriental Publishing Company, Bombay, 1910.
however, are full and clear, and the explanations
epablo one readily to perceive in what the This is not a complete edition of the Bāhitya.
difference between them consists. The editor bàs darpana, but contains only Parts I, II and X of
also succeeded in tracing to their source some the work. The first two parts are complete and the
verses which had not been identified before. tenth begins with the 14th Kárikā, the first 13
In his Introduction, Mr. Kane bas discussed the Karikās, which are omitted, corresponding to the
personal history and date of the author Visvanafirst 16 in Jivananda Vidyāsāgar's edition. The tha, and has expressed his opinion regarding first part defines kivya, the second deals with the
Visvanatha's work and its authoritative value. significance of words, and the tenth explains the
He has bestowed great care on the preparation alankäras in poetical composition. This edition,
of this edition, and it should be a distinct aid therefore, confines iteelf to those portions of the
towards understanding and appreciating the Sahityadarpana, which bear more especially on
beauties of the Kavya literature. He hopes that the apprecintion of the figures, similes, conceita
hie elucidation of the subject may interest in the and other characteristics which abound in the
study of that literature not only the University Kivya literature. Those characteristics bave student, but also the general reader, and so may been distinguished and classified in the analysis rouse them to pursue the subject further. The of Sanskrit poetry and literary composition. They affection for it which he has manifested in this are fully and even minutely discussed and exwork, should certainly stimulate all those who plained by Mr. Kine; indeed in his endeavour to
may respond to his invitation. I may add that make his work thorough, he fears he may have the edition is well printed and the Sanskrit type been too copious. The Karikas are construed and is particularly good. explained and often translated, and are also illus
F. E. P.