Indian Antiquary Vol 59

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 120

108
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
JUNE, 1990
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obliged to force ye Eddies to see them executed, suffering no Englishmen whatsoever to in. termeddle or be concerned with them."
On the other hand it was evident that Sir Nicholas Waite and his Council entertained a very high opinion of Rustamji's ability and integrity. They still considered him to be the most suitable person to assist the Ambassador in the negotiations with the Mughal's ministers. This view was fully expressed in a letter to the Court of Directors dated March 6, 1700-1S "The Ambassador being upon his journey strongly guarded and we furnished with what were most acceptable to such whose corrupt natures adore the God of this earth, and accompanied with our Chief Broker Rustumjec faithful to your intrest well acquainted with yo misterious intreagues of these people and capable to prevent the impolice and chargable projections of our hot brethren extorted this permission having no other in view that could repose so great a trust and beleiving in our conscience had been wanting in our duty if not complied with his Excy's desire to keep him until our Phirmaund granted is past ye seal and another provided in his room and hope that your affairs will not be much prejudiced by his absence being all the Mountapes cargoc except peper drugs and coffee and most of what intended for the Rooke contracted for before the Rains tho he complains it will be considerably to his disadvantage refusing any gratuity from his Excy referring himself to your hon from whom probably he may expect a medal and chain and some uncommon curiosity to be delivered if find him not staind in his stedfastness to your interest."
(To be continued.)
SOME ADDITIONS TO THE LALLA-VÅKYÂNI.
(i'le Wise Sayings of Lal Ded.)
By PANDIT ANAND KOUL, SRINAGAR, KASHMIR. The ages, it has been truly said, are mirrored in their old songs and sayings. In this age of spiritual rebirth, which is characterized by an insatiable thirst for higher knowledge, there cannot be an object of more intense desire than to gaze upon the matchless and cloquent forms of classical antiquity. The philosophical and poetical works of genius of every age and clime, hitherto hidden treasures, should, therefore, be recovered and made accessible to all by translation.
Lallishwari or Lal Ded is among the most venerable characters of moral antiquity and is the heroine of ancient popular religious culture in Kashmîr. Her precious sayings-productions of divine inspiration--have rooted themselves in the popular mind and are resound. ing and vibrating many-toned within them. There reign in them both power and fulness of genius. She penetrated more deeply than ordinary mortals into the mysteries of theology. Her mind conld well he compared to a mirror in whose depths was reflected the history of humanity. She lashed vice and extolled virtue, and her savings are animated and inflamed with the most chaste metaphors, whose conception and composition are very beautiful, sweet and sublime, conveying vivid moral truths that can never be read without internal emotion. By the arrangement of her words her ideas are artfully disclosed and rendered beauti. fully picturesque. These unique effusions of real inspiration soothe the ear, mend and melt the heart and elevate the mind. In short, they are a gift, immeasurably precious, to the world and to all nations.
In the life-sketch of this prophetess, published in the Indian Antiquary of November and December 1921, I stated that I had been fortunate enough to collect a number of her sayings in addition to those already published by Sir George Grierson and Dr. Lionel D. Barnett.
* See 0. C. 56-IV.
See No. 7478, 0. C. 56-IV.