A Digit of the Moon: A Hindoo Love Story

by F. W. Bain

[[2]] Shiwa.

[[3]] Ganésha or Ganapati. See Day 1.

[[4]] Saraswatí, the goddess of speech.

[[5]] i.e. 'sun-beloved;' the name of a fabulous gem 'sunstone' (cp. 'moonstone'), said to possess magical properties and exhibit them when acted upon by the rays of the sun.

[[6]] Ten millions.

[[7]] A kind of play on the King's name: lóhakánta means a loadstone.

[[8]] This method of bringing lovers together is part of a Hindoo story-teller's romantic machinery.

[[9]] The Hindoo Cupid, who is said to possess five bewildering weapons.

[[10]] Alluding to the King's name: see n. p. 1. [[11]] i.e. 'the passion, or the rosy-blush, of love.' (Pronounce the two first syllables to rhyme with 'among,' with a north-country g.)

[[12]] These Nagas are beings of serpent nature, but often confounded with men: e.g. in Kathá Saritságara, I. 6, the nephew of the King of the Nágas is said to be a Brahman. Their women are of inconceivable loveliness.