Mriga Pakshi Shastra

Author(s): Hamsadeva, M Sundaracharya
Publisher: V Krishnaswamy

Page 49

6th GROUP.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ELEPFIAN I'S.
There are 13 varieties of elephants. They are black in colour. They are pleasing to look at. They are fond of hunting. They walk • very beautifully. They are very strong and robust. They possess
small eyes, big ears, stont stomachs, long trunks and long tusks between the trunks. They increase waith to their inasters and destroy foes. They get fame both to the country and army. Their passion ipcreases in spring and rainy sengen. After their 9th or 10th year youth begins to them. Ruttish water begins to ouse out from
tKeir temples. They even forget their food and try to go with the female ones. They enjoy in solitary and dark places, on the river beds, under the shde of trees and bushes, for a dry or two completely. Generally they (female) become pregnut. Generally they become quiet after their enjoyments. The pregnant «lephante try to prevent other (inale ones for further enjoyments. The female cues generally will yield to those which have been noving with there for a long time. The male ones do get food and give it to the female ones
when pregrant and remain with them alone pleurueitly. Generally izl! the birds and animals would play and dance very houutifully with female ones before their enjoyments, liko bulls, horso, elephants, deer,
dogs, parrots, cuckoos, chakr:lvaka birils,
peacocks, karandava
birds, swan and pigcous. The female elephants are alw.y's, slorpy when pregnant and take very little food till their delivery period (21 to 24 months.) They do not take food for 2 or 3 days aftros delivery. Then they never leave their young ones aloof und give milk often und ever reiuain with thein. Till the end of 1st year young (10:3 suck their mother's wilk and go with their inothers, phuying, Tho young ones play with inud and other things till 1 year. During their 2nd year they try to go to other forests with their crowds without
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