II. Ravana and Vedavati. The Rāmāyaṇa, as is well known to students of Indian literature, relates the adventures of Rāma, son of the King of Ayodhya (Oude), who, in consequence of a domestic intrigue, became an exile from his country, and wandered about the southern regions of India in company with his brother Lakshmana and his wife Sītā. Sītā was carried off by Ravana, King of the Rakshasas (demons or goblins), to his capital Lankā, in the island of Ceylon. Ultimately, Ravana was slain in battle by Rama, who (according, at least, to the poem in its existing, and perhaps interpolated, form) was an incarnation of the supreme god Vishnu, and Sītā was rescued. Rāma returned to Ayodhya after his father's death, and succeeded him on the throne. The legend now freely translated is taken from the supplementary book of the Rāmāyaṇa, chapter 17, and relates a passage in the earlier life of Rāvana. Vedavati, the heroine of the story, agreeably to the Indian theory of the transmigration of souls, was subsequently re-born in the form of Sită. 21 Pinus devadaru, which signifies, the "divine tree;" the Deodar, a magnificent tree, both n height and girth. * The Daityas in character correspond with the Titans of the Greeks. "That I my sire's high aim may gain, "I know thee, Ravan, who thou art: "Proud art thou, lady fair, whose soul So high aspires; but such sublime Devotion suits not well thy prime, Nor stern and painful self-control. The old may so their days employ; But thou should'st live for love and joy. "I am the lord of Lanka's isle; Thy peerless charms my bosom fire; "And who is Vishnu, pray, declare, To whom the holy maid replied— Heaven, earth, and hell, all own him lordBy all their hosts and powers adored." She spake; the fiend with rage was fired: "Yet though I die, I once again Shall live to recompense this wrong. And though my vengeance slumber long, My pious works their meed shall gain, And I shall re-appear on earth, A virgin fair of royal birth." She ceased. With fixed resolve to die, Nor was this maid's prediction vain. Attaining all her heart's desire, As Sītā she was born again, The daughter of a royal sire, And won great Rama for her lord, Whom men as Vishnu's Self adored. And now the demon-king profane, 501 INDEX TO PROPER NAMES AND MATTERS. A Abhidharmapitaka, 56 Achcha, see Atsu and Utsu 428 Adhvaryu, 188 Aditi, 297 Aditya (the sun), 188 Agnihotra, 404 Agrayana, 177 Ahi, 388 Ahis'uva, 387 Aitihasikas, 175 f. Akesines, 345 Akriḍa, 422 Aksu, 484 Akuli, 386, 396 Alexander the Great, 344 f. Aliahahad pillar inscrip- Amarakosha, 255, 404 Amir Taimur, 6 Anagnitra, 390 Andhra-dīpikā, 427 438 Andhra kaumudi, 428, 431 Ahriman, 480, see Angra- Andra, 300, 478 mainyus Ahura Mazda, 298 f, 329 ff. 464, 471 ff. Aindravayava-graha-brahmana, 213 Airavati, 484, see lrāvatī Airyama, 298 Airyama vaejo, 329 ff, 480 f. Aitareya Brahmana 181 i. 4-172 i. 23, 25-381 f. ii. 19-397 V. 32-188 1, 22, 34-183, 353 18-364, 369 viii. 14, 23—324 Bhavya, 342 Bhills, 487 Bhimes'vara, 428 Bhota, 49 Bhotan, 487 Balaramayana, 78, 89, 103| Bhishma, 365 Balkh, 332, 446 Ballantine, Rev. H., on relation of Mahratti to Ballantyne, Dr. J. R., cor- him, 174 Banga, 64 Behar, 347, 350, 404, 443 his art. in Gött. Gel. Griech. Wurzellexi- Indien quoted, 55, Samaveda, 160, 170, Sanskrit grammar, 263, 265, 441 Bhrigu, 197 Bhrigus, 279 Bhur, 188 Blackie, Prof., his note on Böhtlingk, Dr. O— his S'akuntala, 14 Bopp, Dr. F., Comp. Gram. 162 Brahmävarta, 303, 400 |