[17] i. e. Nágavana. For serpent-worship see Tylor’s Primitive Culture, Vol. II, pp. 217–220. The author of Sagas from the Far East remarks; “Serpent-Cultus was of very ancient observance, and is practised by both followers of Bráhmanism and Buddhism. The Bráhmans seem to have desired to show their disapproval of it by placing the serpent-gods in the lower ranks of their mythology, (Lassen. I, 707 and 544, n. 2). This cultus, however, seems to have received a fresh development about the time of Aśoka circa 250 B. C. (Vol. II, p. 467). When Madhyantika went into Cashmere and Gandhára to teach Buddhism after the holding of the third synod, it is mentioned that he found sacrifices to serpents practised there (II. 234, 235). There is a passage in Plutarch from which it appears to have been the custom to sacrifice an old woman (previously condemned to death for some crime) to the serpent-gods by burying her alive on the banks of the Indus (II. 467, note 4) Ktesias also mentions the serpent worship (II. 642). In Buddhist legends serpents are often mentioned as protecting patrons of certain towns. (Sagas from the Far East, p. 355). See also Mr. F. S. Growse’s Mathurá memoir, p. 71.
[18] Literally thorns.
[19] The upáyas which are usually enumerated are four, viz. sowing dissension, negotiation, bribery and open attack.
[20] The six guṇas—peace, war, march, halt, stratagem and recourse to the protection of a mightier king.
[21] I read abhyagát with a MS. in the Sanskrit College.
[22] I read vismitá with a MS. in the Sanskrit College.
[23] i. e. mount Sumeru. The moon being masculine in Sanskrit, the words “form of the moon” are used in the original, to satisfy the requirements of classical Hindu Rhetoric, according to which feminine things cannot be compared to masculine.
[24] The sea is always spoken of as full of “inestimable stones, unvalued jewels.” There is a double meaning throughout. Sadváhiní, when applied to the sea, may mean “beautiful rivers.”
[25] Játarúpá also means “having assumed a form,” so that there is another pun here. I read abhavan for abhavad, in accordance with a MS. lent me from the Sanskrit College.