In the Kathā Sarit Sāgara (Tawney), vol. ii, p. 133, a heavenly maiden illuminated a wood, though it was night. In the same volume, p. 145, a girl “gleamed as if she were the light of the sun.”
In Folk-Tales of Kashmir (Knowles), 2nd ed., pp. 484 ff., the son of a Wazīr asked a farmer whom he accompanied a number of cryptic questions which were understood by the farmer’s daughter, whom he afterwards married. They have a general resemblance to those in the Sinhalese story, but differ from them. In one he asked if a field of ripe corn was eaten or not, meaning that if the owner were in debt it was as good as eaten already.
In Folklore of the Santal Parganas (Rev. Dr. Bodding) there are several instances of enigmatical replies of this kind. See pp. 269, 349, 368. In a Kolhān tale appended to the vol. by Mr. Bompas, p. 462, a Princess who was in a Bēl fruit had such brilliancy that the youth who split it open fell dead when he saw her.
In Cinq Cents Contes et Apologues (Chavannes), a brilliant Prince is described in vol. i, p. 301, and a heroine in vol. ii, p. 17. In vol. iii, p. 172, a Prince’s face shone like the moon among the stars. Buddha is usually described as possessing great brilliancy.
In No. [237] below, there is a Prince whose brilliance dazzled a Princess so much that she swooned.
[1] Āwot ennē nāe; nāwot eññan. [↑]
[2] Because Kitul fibre is like hair which is hanging loose. [↑]