[207] A nishka is a gold coin, whose value varied at different times.
[208] The disah belong grammatically, and for this reason also mythologically, to the females. Hence they are spoken of as women (digaṅganâh).
[209] Samghâta is the name of a kind of infernal Symplegades. Cp. Journal Asiatique, 8e S., tome XX, p. 184 foll.
[210] The second pâda of this stanza is wanting an iambus in its middle part. I think it is thus to be supplied: prâpto bhavishyasi (yadâ) svakritapranunnah.
[211] The following stanzas are of a very ingenious composition. In stanzas 50-54 each pâda ends in two homonymous syllables put twice in different functions, and from 55 the simile of the chariot is elaborated with great skill.
[212] Samvega is the emotional state which prepares the mind to accept spiritual instruction or to take the vow of a religious life.
[213] I surmise that pâda 2 of this line is to be read rogibhûtasya nâsinah.
[214] This 'strong determination' is the pranidhi, also called pranidhâna. By it he who performs some extraordinary meritorious action with the object of attaining some definite result in a future existence proclaims his design before carrying out his performance. Its counterpart in the ritual of Hinduism is the so-called samkalpa preceding the ceremony and contributory to its success. For other instances of it, though the name of pranidhi is not used there, see Story I, stanzas 30-32; VIII, stanzas 53-55.
[215] Viz. 'final extinction' or nirvâna.
[216] In the original ka put twice in the second pâda of this stanza is hardly right. In the latter place, I suppose that it should be changed to sa.