[177] The so-called âpaddharma, cp. stanza 8 of Story XII.
[178] See supra, note on p. 147.—As to the punishment of this treacherous man (mitradhruk), cp. a similar punishment of the slanderer Kokâliya in Suttanipâta III, 10.
[179] A Pûtana is a kind of ghost looking terrible. They live in cemeteries, and like to feed on human flesh.
[180] Not the common deer of that name seems to be meant, but the fabulous animal sarabha, said to be eight-legged, very strong, and a match for lions and elephants.
[181] In the original two short syllables are wanting in the second pâda of this stanza. I imagine it should be read thus, sîlena sâdhu(gana)-samgataniskayena.
[182] It was the custom to awake the king by the sound of music and songs. See, for instance, Râmâyana II, sarga 65.
[183] Viz. Mrigasiras, corresponding with the head of Orion.
[184] A similar reasoning is made by Sakra, when he tries the Bodhisattva in his Avishahya-existence, see Story V, stanzas 18-21.
[185] The finger-guard (aṅgulitrâna) is a contrivance used by archers to protect the thumb and fingers from being injured by the bowstring.
[186] In other words, in such cases the evil karma has so great a strength that a considerable amount of good works would be required in order to check the rapidity of the development of its fruit.