Vikram and Vaitaal Stories-2
- Notes (Keral
Version)
"Captain
Sir Richard R Burton's Vikram and the
Vampire: classic Hindu tales of
adventure, magic and romance" / edited by his wife Isabel Burton. [etext
Conversion Project, Nalanda Digital Library, NIT Calicut, Kerala State,
India]
Notes
--"Vikram"
means valor, or prowess.
10--Nine
languages are well known - Sanskrit, Praakrit, Naag, Paishaach, Gandharv,
Raakshas, Ardhmagaadi, Apa and Guhyak. Mention of all of them may be found
in the work of Pingal.
13--The
time was propitious to Savan. While Vikramaaditya lived, Maghaa, another
king, cause to write a poem after his name. He is said to have paid to
learned men a gold piece for each verse, which amounted a total of 52,801
which was a huge sum in those days - which preceded those of
"Paradise Lost". Around the same time, there was a third king
named Karnaatak was patronizing the learned men who rose to honour at
Vikram's court. Dhaavak, a poet of the same time, received from the King
Shreeharsh a magnificent present of 100,001 for the poem "Ratn Maalaa".
14--It
is said that that there were 8 Vikramaaditya, the last of whom established
the era. (Consult Lassen's "Anthologia"; and H H Wilson's
"Essay on Vikram (New)", ix, 117).
15--History
tells us a different tale. Indra and the King of Dhaaraa gave the kingdom
to Bhartrahari - another son of Gandharvsen by a handmaiden. For some time
the brothers lived together the arose a quarrel. So Vikram was dismissed
from the court and wandered around in poverty. Once he offered his
services to a wealthy merchant of Gujaraat. Later Bhartrahari disgusted
with the world on infidelity of his wife, to whom he was ardently
attached, became a religious devotee and left the kingdom to its fate. Then
Vikram came to Ujjayinee and assumed the kingship. He conquered many
regions - Utkal (Udeesaa), Bang (Bangaal), Kachchh, Gujaraat, Somnaath,
Dehlee etc. He was slain by Shaalivaahan.
24--Or
Avantee, or called Padmaavatee. It is the first meridian of the Hindu who
found their longitude by observation of Lunar eclipse calculated for
Lankaa or Ceylon. The Clepsydra was used for taking time.
28--This
part of the introduction reminds of the two royal brothers and their false
wives in the introduction of the "Arabian Nights", The fate of
Bharatrahari Raajaa, however, is historical.
29--In
the original "Dev" - a supernatural being or Demon. This part of
the story is told in seceral versions. According to some, Vikram was
surprised to, when entering the city, seeing a grand procession at the
house of potter, and a boy being carried away on an elephant to the grief
of the parents. The King asked the reason of the grief and was told that
the wicked Dev who guarded the city was in habit of eating a person daily.
The King asked to take the boy down and he himself sat on it and entered
the palace and he was presented as the food to that Demon, displayed his
powers to him.
127--Tam
is the natural state of the matter. Raj is passion acting upon nature, and
Sattwa is excellence. These are three Gun or qualities of matter.
138--The
Hindu Mercury - God of rascals.
161--Yam
Raaj is the Hindu Pluto - also called the Just King. He judges the dead.
Whose souls go to him in 4 hours and 40 minutes, that is why a corpse
cannot be burned till after that time
168--This
story is perhaps the least interesting in the collection. It is similar to
the story of nursery tales that the princess who was so highly born and
delicately bred, that she could feel the three peas laid beneath a straw
mattress and a four feather beds.
172--The
Jogee or Yogee - who follow Patanjali school of Yog, and who by their
ascetic practices acquire the power to control elements. Vulgarly, they
are Shiv worshippers. The Janganee also adore Shiv and carry about Ling.
The Sanyaasee are mendicants and followers of Shiv. They never touch fire
or metal. They take up the staff. They are different from Vairaagee who
are worshippers of Vishnu who are strongly oppose the worshippers of gods
who accept bloody offerings or sacrifices.
180--Samudra
(sea) Devtaa - the Indian Neptune.
185--It
is said to have discharged balls, each of 6,400 pounds in weight
186--Garud
- A kind of Mercury
187--The
celebrated burning springs of Baku, near the Caspian Sea. There are many
other "fire mouths".
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