Indian Antiquary Vol 62

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

Page 265

DECEMBER, 1933 ]
KASHMIRI PROVERBS
243
is no substantial physical barrier, no clearly defined belt of cultural transition, except perhaps at Delhi and on the threshold of Bengal. In the south the boundaries of Tamil, Marathi and Gujarāti are well defined by wide zones of rough country. Mārāthi is separated from Kanarese and Telugu by the line between lava and gneiss. Only the Kanarese-Telugu frontier is ill-defined.
The geography of Upper India favours uniformity of culture, but the area is too vast for political cohesion; even the Mughals held it together with difficulty. The smaller and better defined geographical units of the Peninsula foster cultural variety and the development of conscious and politically well-knit nationalities. On the other hand, Northern India is open to the impact of foreign influences from the West and Central Asia. Such impacts, whether destructive or creative, reach the Peninsula either from Upper India (at reduced voltage) or by sea ; and the sea-borne impacts are rarely transmitted through the Western Ghats. The direction along which cultural currents travel is governed by permanent geographical factors. Their effect varies with the distance from source and the cultural medium through which they pass; but the medium is sufficiently continuous to ensure that, whatever changes may occur, the product is unmistakably Indian.
KASHMIRI PROVERBS. BY PANDIT ANAND KOUL, SRINAGAR, KASHMIR.
(Continued from p. 199 supra, and concluded.) Apis dani mushkil pěni.
A lump of flesh given to a person of low degree is difficult for him [to eat). fi.e., out of vanity he becomes more concerned to display it to others than to eat it himself.) Azmoomut gao povmut.
One [who has been) tested is (easily] vanquished. (e.g., even a proud person is apt to yield to a person who knows his secrets.) Begári ti gatshi bronchui gatshun.
Even to perform impressed labour, it is well to go early. (e.g., an old prisoner may become a warder, vested with authority over prisoners who have come in later.) Begari te gatshi ján páthi karani.
Even impressed labour should be performed properly. (i.6., it should be a first principle in life to perform with all earnestness the work we have to do. Cheniy phar ta gontsluan war.
Vain bragging and twisting of moustaches. (Used in the sense of smart clothes and empty pockets.' Cf. the Hindi, ghar ki kori múches hi můches hain.) Dohay doh chi na hihiy dsán.
All days are not equal. (Cf, Christmas comes but once a year.') Dudarhámyuk hak? [Is it the truth, or is it merely) drift wood of Dudarháma
Note.-Hak has a double meaning here, viz., 'truth,' and 'drift wood.' At Dudarhama, 14 miles north of Srinagar, drift wood is collected in large quantities from
the Sindh river. Jinnas ku-jinn.
A demon met by & more ferocious demon. (Said of & wicked person having to deal with a person more wicked than himself. Cf. the saying, 'diamond cuts diamond.') Kani kar káni ach kathin gilan, Sheth sds shaitan tut kut pilan. The one-eyed made a hard wink with his blind eye, How can even sixty thousand Satans attain to that height ? Kai, kaisur ta machi-těcal dushmane Paighambar.
The dark, the brown-haired and the freckled [is] the enemy of the Prophet.
Explanation.-This saying has reference to Shimar, one of Yazid's generals, who was of this complexion, and who slew Husain, the second of the two sons of 'Ali and grandson