40 PADUMĀWATI. [80-82 there were not men so greedy of others' flesh, why then would fowlers capture birds? So the fowler who continually captureth birds, selleth them, nor desireth them in his own heart.' The Brāhmaṇa bought the parrot, when he heard its knowledge of the Vēdas and Holy books. Then joined he his fellow travellers and started for Citaur. 81. In the meantime King Citra-sēna had gone to Çiva's (paradise) and Ratna-sõna had become monarch of Citaur: and behold there came a report to him: 0 King, merchants are come from Simhala. There are pearl oysters filled with elephant-pearls, and many goods of Simhala's isle. A Brāhmaṇa hath brought a parrot, all golden in its colour, and of matchless beauty. Red and black upon its neck are two (lines like) necklets, and its wings and shoulders are all inscribed with scarlet. Its two eyes glow like rubies, ruby-coloured is its beak, and its speech is nectar-like. On its forehead is the caste-mark, and on its shoulder a Brāhmaṇa's thread. 'Tis a poet like unto Vyāsa, and 'tis learned like unto Saha-dēva.? What words it speaketh have meaning: and those who hear it wag their heads in admiration. So priceless a parrot should be in the King's palace.' 82. Forth went the King's command, and they sent men running, who quickly brought the Brāhmaṇa and the parrot. The Brāhmaṇa gave his blessing and began his supplication : 'Never would I separate myself from this parrot, which is like my soul; but this belly is a devourer of the uni- verse, before which bow, yea, all ascetics and devotees. If a man hath no coveriet or bed, he can lay himself upon the ground with his arm beneath his neck. A man's eyes may refuse to see, and then he is but blind. His mouth may refuse to utter words, and then he is but dumb. His ears may cease to hear, and then he is but deaf : but this belly never loseth its pecu- liar function. Many and many a time is it continually at fault, and must go begging from door to door, or else it is not satisfied. 1 Pātha or pattha is the joint of the wings with the body. 2 Vyasa was the celebrated composer or arranger of the Mahā-bhārata. Saha-dēva was one of the five Pandava brothers, heroes of the Maha-bharata, and was celebrated for his learning. 3 The word bāra has many meanings, owing to many Sanskrit words having phonetic- ally developed into it. The following story illustrates this. Süra-dāsa, the celebrated blind poet and singer once sung the following verse in Akbar's court. Jasuda bara bāra yaha bhākhail Hai kou hiti hamaro Braja mé calata Gopālahi rakhail The Emperor asked the meaning of the words būra bāra. Some said it meant 'repeat- edly' (Skr. vāram-vāram); others that it meant at every door' (dvāram-dvāram); others
- to all the children' (bālam-balam); others to all the girls' (bálām-balan); others 'stop-
plug continually' (varja varja kara); others may I be sacrificed '(balaiya lē lê kara); others lighting lamp after lamp' (dipaka bära bāra kara); others with water water' (Skr, vāri vāri), i.e., weeping; others day by day'; others Craving' (varvara). At length the Emperor sed the poet, and he explained that the verse meant 'every hair (Skr. bala bala) of Yašādā cries out, "is there any friend in Vraja, who will take care of Gopāla (the infant Krsna) as he crawls about."
